In the episode, Sterling Cooper employees party after hours, a new man is hired, and the audience gains more insight into Don Draper's past.
The episode opens with a television presentation of voters waiting in line to cast their ballot for the 1960 United States presidential election.
After Sterling Cooper's partners leave the office for the night, the staff commence a viewing party for the election, with Nixon clearly in the lead over Kennedy.
Several staff act out the play, concluding with Sal and Joan sharing a kiss, and Harry has a drunken affair with Pete's secretary, Hildy.
[1] Director Alan Taylor noted that the office party reflected the celebration of the show being greenlit and the pilot actors returning as full-time cast members.
[3] Featured Soundtracks include A Beautiful Mine by Aceyalone, Moonglow by Benny Goodman, and The End Of The World by Skeeter Davis.
The AV Club regarded the episode as one of the "finest hours" of the first season, delivering particular praise for the scene wherein Pete reveals Don's secret to Bert Cooper.
[5] "Nixon vs. Kennedy" received a nomination for Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup for a Series, Miniseries, Movie or Special at the 2008 Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards.