Read the passage from nixon's opening statements in the nixon-kennedy debate. kennedy has suggested that he believes he knows the way. i respect the sincerity which he m- which he makes that suggestion. but on the other hand, when we look at the various programs that he offers, they do not seem to be new. by acknowledging kennedy's points as valid before offering his own perspective on the issues being discussed, nixon presents himself as question options: aggressive and adversarial. mild-mannered and reasonable. insincere and critical. skeptical and dismissive.