Has History Convoluted JFK's Legacy?

[Mad_Cabbie]

I'm not sure ... I do not pretend to even know; yet I suspect that like Reagan --- JFK is unchallengeable in terms of his presidential legacy. Perhaps he is being held to an impossible standard of perfection which was born out of respect for how well loved he was.

Is John Fitzgerald Kennedy who we thought? Or does history give him the worlds greatest PR job, ever?

Republicans seemed to loathe him at the time, almost as much as they loathe Obama, now - while many democrats were troubled with his slow response to civil rights.

During the presidential campaign he publicly pledged to end segregation in federally subsidized public housing “with the stroke of a pen.” Despite a mass campaign for him to keep his promise, he foot dragged for months in signing the order. This was not hypocrisy, or racial faint heartedness. There was a brutal political calculus at work. In 1961, Southern Democrats, all staunch segregationists, had an iron grip on the House. They held 11 of 19 committee chairmanships and in the Senate two-thirds of its standing committees. Kennedy did not have anything near a governing mandate to prod, cajole and arm twist Southern racial obstructionists in Congress following his nail bite, squeaky 1960 presidential election win over Richard Nixon.

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So what was his grand achievement in the Oval Office?

No serious historian would suggest that John F. Kennedy’s unfinished presidency deserves to be ranked with those of Washington, Lincoln or Franklin D. Roosevelt. But he deserves better than Mr. Douthat gives him.

True, it took President Lyndon B. Johnson to win passage of President Kennedy’s four great legislative initiatives —

a tax cut, Medicare, federal aid to education and civil rights — but he put them on the table and would have been well positioned to pass them after his more than likely re-election in 1964.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/29/opinion/why-john-f-kennedys-legacy-endures.html?_r=0

Why aren't we laying a wreath for LBJ?


Your thoughts?



..

 

[Freemason9]

Kennedy represented American liberal idealism. The reality of American politics--especially the segregationist South--prevented him from moving forward with much of his legislation. It's hard to know exactly how he stood with many issues, but one can suggest that his philosophy and belief system was similar to his brother Robert's; he mistrusted the American military and "security" empire (much like his predecessor Eisenhauer), he supported civil rights legislation, and he promoted access to opportunity across the economic and racial spectra.

Kennedy was fiercely hated by Republicans, who branded him a "communist." It's ironic that he was assassinated by a communist sympathizer. The current level of right wing hatred toward Obama exceeds that of Kennedy, however, mainly because of Obama's skin color. The Southern roots of the modern Republican Party had enough trouble considering a black man as their equal, let alone as their leader.

 

[LordBrownTrout]

The whole camelot was all contrived up after his death. Its laughable.

 

[Mad_Cabbie]

Kennedy represented American liberal idealism. The reality of American politics--especially the segregationist South--prevented him from moving forward with much of his legislation. It's hard to know exactly how he stood with many issues, but one can suggest that his philosophy and belief system was similar to his brother Robert's; he mistrusted the American military and "security" empire (much like his predecessor Eisenhauer), he supported civil rights legislation, and he promoted access to opportunity across the economic and racial spectra.

Kennedy was fiercely hated by Republicans, who branded him a "communist." It's ironic that he was assassinated by a communist sympathizer. The current level of right wing hatred toward Obama exceeds that of Kennedy, however, mainly because of Obama's skin color. The Southern roots of the modern Republican Party had enough trouble considering a black man as their equal, let alone as their leader.

What exactly did Kennedy do to be immortalized, though???

 

[DiamondDave]

Kennedy represented American liberal idealism. The reality of American politics--especially the segregationist South--prevented him from moving forward with much of his legislation. It's hard to know exactly how he stood with many issues, but one can suggest that his philosophy and belief system was similar to his brother Robert's; he mistrusted the American military and "security" empire (much like his predecessor Eisenhauer), he supported civil rights legislation, and he promoted access to opportunity across the economic and racial spectra.

Kennedy was fiercely hated by Republicans, who branded him a "communist." It's ironic that he was assassinated by a communist sympathizer. The current level of right wing hatred toward Obama exceeds that of Kennedy, however, mainly because of Obama's skin color. The Southern roots of the modern Republican Party had enough trouble considering a black man as their equal, let alone as their leader.

What exactly did Kennedy do to be immortalized, though???

Marilyn Monroe??

 

[Mad_Cabbie]

Kennedy represented American liberal idealism. The reality of American politics--especially the segregationist South--prevented him from moving forward with much of his legislation. It's hard to know exactly how he stood with many issues, but one can suggest that his philosophy and belief system was similar to his brother Robert's; he mistrusted the American military and "security" empire (much like his predecessor Eisenhauer), he supported civil rights legislation, and he promoted access to opportunity across the economic and racial spectra.

Kennedy was fiercely hated by Republicans, who branded him a "communist." It's ironic that he was assassinated by a communist sympathizer. The current level of right wing hatred toward Obama exceeds that of Kennedy, however, mainly because of Obama's skin color. The Southern roots of the modern Republican Party had enough trouble considering a black man as their equal, let alone as their leader.

What exactly did Kennedy do to be immortalized, though???

Marilyn Monroe??

Yes and no.

No - JFK never slept with her.

Yes, It was the start of the ginormous smear campaign.


(who know that ginormous was actually a word?)

 

[Freemason9]

Kennedy represented American liberal idealism. The reality of American politics--especially the segregationist South--prevented him from moving forward with much of his legislation. It's hard to know exactly how he stood with many issues, but one can suggest that his philosophy and belief system was similar to his brother Robert's; he mistrusted the American military and "security" empire (much like his predecessor Eisenhauer), he supported civil rights legislation, and he promoted access to opportunity across the economic and racial spectra.

Kennedy was fiercely hated by Republicans, who branded him a "communist." It's ironic that he was assassinated by a communist sympathizer. The current level of right wing hatred toward Obama exceeds that of Kennedy, however, mainly because of Obama's skin color. The Southern roots of the modern Republican Party had enough trouble considering a black man as their equal, let alone as their leader.

What exactly did Kennedy do to be immortalized, though???

Again, he didn't get much done in terms of legislation--however, he had incredible leadership skills, he voiced an American vision that inspired millions, and he encompassed the idea of a promising future for young Americans. Leadership is often hard to measure. Ronald Reagan, for example, is often cited as a great leader, although his economic policies were disastrous in the near and far terms.

 

[Mad_Cabbie]

Kennedy represented American liberal idealism. The reality of American politics--especially the segregationist South--prevented him from moving forward with much of his legislation. It's hard to know exactly how he stood with many issues, but one can suggest that his philosophy and belief system was similar to his brother Robert's; he mistrusted the American military and "security" empire (much like his predecessor Eisenhauer), he supported civil rights legislation, and he promoted access to opportunity across the economic and racial spectra.

Kennedy was fiercely hated by Republicans, who branded him a "communist." It's ironic that he was assassinated by a communist sympathizer. The current level of right wing hatred toward Obama exceeds that of Kennedy, however, mainly because of Obama's skin color. The Southern roots of the modern Republican Party had enough trouble considering a black man as their equal, let alone as their leader.

What exactly did Kennedy do to be immortalized, though???

Again, he didn't get much done in terms of legislation--however, he had incredible leadership skills, he voiced an American vision that inspired millions, and he encompassed the idea of a promising future for young Americans. Leadership is often hard to measure. Ronald Reagan, for example, is often cited as a great leader, although his economic policies were disastrous in the near and far terms.

So, he said all of the right stuff, eh?

 

[rightwinger]

JFK became a martyr

His legacy was overrated

 

[Mad_Cabbie]

JFK became a martyr

His legacy was overrated

Damn it!!! I was hoping to fight you on this one - next time!

 

[Flopper]

Kennedy represented American liberal idealism. The reality of American politics--especially the segregationist South--prevented him from moving forward with much of his legislation. It's hard to know exactly how he stood with many issues, but one can suggest that his philosophy and belief system was similar to his brother Robert's; he mistrusted the American military and "security" empire (much like his predecessor Eisenhauer), he supported civil rights legislation, and he promoted access to opportunity across the economic and racial spectra.

Kennedy was fiercely hated by Republicans, who branded him a "communist." It's ironic that he was assassinated by a communist sympathizer. The current level of right wing hatred toward Obama exceeds that of Kennedy, however, mainly because of Obama's skin color. The Southern roots of the modern Republican Party had enough trouble considering a black man as their equal, let alone as their leader.

What exactly did Kennedy do to be immortalized, though???

Again, he didn't get much done in terms of legislation--however, he had incredible leadership skills, he voiced an American vision that inspired millions, and he encompassed the idea of a promising future for young Americans. Leadership is often hard to measure. Ronald Reagan, for example, is often cited as a great leader, although his economic policies were disastrous in the near and far terms.

I agree with you. I was a young adult during the Kennedy administration. I didn't vote for him but I can't remember why. I do remember the assassination and the 3 days of mourning. It was terrible. It effected everyone regardless of political beliefs. If the president of the United States could be taken down by a single insignificant little man who lived in a fantasy world, how safe was anyone. Like 911, it changed America. It's been said, Kennedy accomplished more in death than he ever accomplished in life.

 

[Freemason9]

What exactly did Kennedy do to be immortalized, though???

Again, he didn't get much done in terms of legislation--however, he had incredible leadership skills, he voiced an American vision that inspired millions, and he encompassed the idea of a promising future for young Americans. Leadership is often hard to measure. Ronald Reagan, for example, is often cited as a great leader, although his economic policies were disastrous in the near and far terms.

So, he said all of the right stuff, eh?

Yup, just like Reagan.

 

[Soggy in NOLA]

His legacy is the failed Bay of Pigs invasion and caving to the Soviets on the Cuban Missile Crisis.

 

[rightwinger]

What exactly did Kennedy do to be immortalized, though???

Again, he didn't get much done in terms of legislation--however, he had incredible leadership skills, he voiced an American vision that inspired millions, and he encompassed the idea of a promising future for young Americans. Leadership is often hard to measure. Ronald Reagan, for example, is often cited as a great leader, although his economic policies were disastrous in the near and far terms.

I agree with you. I was a young adult during the Kennedy administration. I didn't vote for him but I can't remember why. I do remember the assassination and the 3 days of mourning. It was terrible. It effected everyone regardless of political beliefs. If the president of the United States could be taken down by a single insignificant little man who lived in a fantasy world, how safe was anyone. Like 911, it changed America. It's been said, Kennedy accomplished more in death than he ever accomplished in life.

True

The moon landing, Civil Rights Legislation, Medicare and Poverty programs were all implemented in the name of Kennedy

 

[Soggy in NOLA]

Again, he didn't get much done in terms of legislation--however, he had incredible leadership skills, he voiced an American vision that inspired millions, and he encompassed the idea of a promising future for young Americans. Leadership is often hard to measure. Ronald Reagan, for example, is often cited as a great leader, although his economic policies were disastrous in the near and far terms.

I agree with you. I was a young adult during the Kennedy administration. I didn't vote for him but I can't remember why. I do remember the assassination and the 3 days of mourning. It was terrible. It effected everyone regardless of political beliefs. If the president of the United States could be taken down by a single insignificant little man who lived in a fantasy world, how safe was anyone. Like 911, it changed America. It's been said, Kennedy accomplished more in death than he ever accomplished in life.

True

The moon landing, Civil Rights Legislation, Medicare and Poverty programs were all implemented in the name of Kennedy

Yea, and here we sit, a gazillion dollars in the red.

 

[JakeStarkey]

Has History Convoluted JFK's Legacy?

Both far left and far right have so failed at revising that a fairly accurate picture emerges 50 years after the fact.

 

[rightwinger]

Why did we go to the moon in 1969?
Because Kennedy said we would

We were in the middle of a war, the Soviets had dropped out of the race. Why did we continue pushing the Lunar landing? The moon still would have been there

 

[Flopper]

Again, he didn't get much done in terms of legislation--however, he had incredible leadership skills, he voiced an American vision that inspired millions, and he encompassed the idea of a promising future for young Americans. Leadership is often hard to measure. Ronald Reagan, for example, is often cited as a great leader, although his economic policies were disastrous in the near and far terms.

So, he said all of the right stuff, eh?

Yup, just like Reagan.

There were a lot of similarities between JFK and Reagan. Both inherited an economic slump and both made that a central issue in their campaign for the presidency. Both claimed to be fiscally conservative but increased spending while endorsing tax cuts. Both men were obsessed with communism and were determined to challenge it head-on. Both men were deeply influenced by WWII and were cautious about U.S. intervention overseas.

Conservatives look to Reagan as the great conservative, but he was ever bit as liberal as Kennedy in many ways.

 

[rightwinger]

So, he said all of the right stuff, eh?

Yup, just like Reagan.

There were a lot of similarities between JFK and Reagan. Both inherited an economic slump and both made that a central issue in their campaign for the presidency. Both claimed to be fiscally conservative but increased spending while endorsing tax cuts. Both men were obsessed with communism and were determined to challenge it head-on. Both men were deeply influenced by WWII and were cautious about U.S. intervention overseas.

Conservatives look to Reagan as the great conservative, but he was ever bit as liberal as Kennedy in many ways.

Both were shot

 

[Mad_Cabbie]

Both were shot

That's just wrong....