Chris D's Kennedy Defeats. John E's Nixon, 319-218

An exciting game with plenty of lead changes. Kennedy started with an Eastern Region gambit, clearing out all states but MA and RI. Nixon fought back in the East with event cards that let him place support but didn't take the bait and travel to the East -- this paid off later with Kennedy Gathering Momentum in the region. Nixon started the game by countering Kennedy's early 50 states strategy -- going to Alaska personally to offset Kennedy's non-continental supporters. Kennedy took an early lead in the issues but soon forfeited that as Nixon's initiative put him in the driver's seat in that arena. Leading up to the debates an intense media war started, so much so that the SUPPORT CHECK bag had to be RESEEDED.  PROFILES IN COURAGE, however, allowed Kennedy to take a commanding lead in advertising in both the East (4) and Midwest (3), just before the debates. The debates saw a decisive Kennedy victory, with the handsome Catholic winning the last 2 of 3 issues. Together with his huge lead in advertising, this proved an obstacle too big for Nixon to overcome, even with the last turn INITIATIVE giving him last move. Thanks to John for an exciting and competitive game.