Kennedy's congressional experience brought the presidency within reach. In 1956 he was considered a prime Democratic vice presidential candidate, but he lost the nomination to Estes Kefauver in a bruising battle at the Democratic National Convention. It was the first time much of the country had heard of the young senator from Massachusetts. Thereafter the press took more notice of his record in the Senate, and by 1960 Kennedy was poised to represent his party as the presidential nominee.