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John F Kennedy
John F. Kennedy John F. Kennedy Blaize Hite Mr. Nelson Modern American Studies, Period 1 5 Novermber 1996 John Fitzgerald Kennedy was born on May 29, 1917 in the Boston suburb of Brookline. Kennedy was the son of Joseph P. Kennedy a formerambassador to Great Britain. Kennedy was much like his father, possesing a delightful sense of humor, a strong family loyalty, a concern for the state of the nation, endless vitality and a constant air of confidence no matter how dire the situation (Kennedy, Sorensen, Harper & Row, New York 1965, Page 18). Growing up in a priviliged household and graduating with honors from Harvard. He served as an assistant to his father (1938), naval officer (1941-1945), journalist (1941 and 1945) and Congressman (1947-1953), he had traveled to every major continent and talked with the presidents and prime ministers, of some thirty-seven countries. In 1952 he was elected to the United States Senate and in 1953 he married Jaqueline Bouvier. However one year later a spinal operation brought him to the edge of death's door, causing him to deeply reflect on his character (Sorensen 28). After his dangerous operation he researched and wrote a book, about democracy. The next year narrowly missing the Vice Presidential nomination of his party, Kennedy emerged as a national figure in large demand. "John Kennedy was not one of the Senate's great leaders" (Sorensen 43). Very few laws of great importance bear his name. Even after his initial “ traditionally' inactive freshman year in the Senate, his chances for major contributions to the Senate excluding his stances on fair labor reform and against rackets, were constantly diminished of his Presidential campaign. His voting record reflects his open minded views, and strengthed beliefs. He was well liked and respected by many Senators. Kennedy was regarded for his eagerness and cool logic in debate situations His only real “enemy” was Senator Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin (Sorensen 45).McCarthy's rough and wide-ranging hunts for Red, "pinks" and headlines had stomped on the freedoms of people who had not committed a crime, and Kennedy was too rational and reasonable a man to remain indiferent to the extremism known as Mcarthyism. Kennedy often was a thorn in McCarthy's side obstructing many of McCarthy's personal choices for various offices and by serving on certain committies of which McCarthy was chairman, such as the Government Operations Committee (Sorensen 46). Kennedy's political philosophy revoloved around the idea that one could not allow the pressures of party responisbility to cloud ones personal responsibility. Meaning after all was said and done that the decision falls upon yourself to make the choice regardless of what your party platform was. Of course the platfrom had significant merit, nevertheless it still came down to the individual. "Democrats, he said, generally had more heart, more foresight and more energy. They were not satisfied with things as they were and believed they could make them better" (Sorensen 71). "John F. Kennedy wanted someday to be President of the United States" (Sorensen 95). Not becuase he was dissatisfied with his life as a Senator nor because he possessed some grand scheme for the future of America. He merely felt that it was the center of action of the American System. “at least you have an opportunity to do something about all the probelms which. . . I would be concerned about [anyway] as a father or as a citizen. . . and if what you do is useful and succesful, then . . . that is a great satisfaction” (Sorensen 95). Before the election of 1960 Kennedy used the result of his newfound celebrity status to do a bit of travelling across the country. Convering more than thirty thousand miles in twenty-four states, he made over 150 speeches and appearances in the course of six weeks. He spoke to various conventions, varying from civic to labor, farmer to youth. However his senatorial duties enabled him to accept less than 4 percent of the hundreds of invitations that poured ...This is ONLY a preview of the article. If you would like to view the entire document, you must subscribe to Electronic References. Please register below now! Get This Full Article After Registration
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