John F. Kennedy - Election Flashcards
Eisenhower’s error - Reasons for JFK’s election
Instead of promoting Nixons candidacy, Eisenhower was preoccupied with his presidential record against Kennedy’s attacks on poverty. Kennedy said that 17 million Americans went to bed hungry each night - Ike responded with ‘they must be dieting’.
Ike made two policies that damaged Nixons presidency:
*To deal with the $13b budget deficit in 1959, Ike introduced spending cuts to ensure a surplus, ignoring Nixons suggestion this would lead to a recession.
*Eisenhower refused to prove wrong Kennedys accusation there was a ‘missile gap’ in the soviets favour , prompting Khrushchev to buildup his armed forces.
Eisenhower had been open about his health issues during his presidency, but refused to allow Nixon to call for candidates to make their health public - Kennedy said ‘it would be murder’
Nixon’s errors - Reasons for JFK’s election
Nixon didn’t let Eisenhower campaign for him until October 1960, which irritated Eisenhower. Nixon said he was responding to Mamie’s plea to Eisenhower’ health.
Nixon rejected Eisenhowers advice over television debates, pointing out that Nixon was already well-known, and would give Kennedy free advertising.
*While Kennedy looked straight into the camera, Nixon looked sideways at Kennedy and projected shiftiness
*After a weekend in Capecod, Kennedy looked relaxed and healthy, Nixon looked tired and was recovering from an infection. “My god! They’ve embalmed him before he’s even dead” said Mayor Daley.
Nixon’s exhaustion was much owed to his campaign in 50 states, explaining his inaction of MLK’s arrest over an Atlanta sit in October 1960 - ‘no comment Nixon’.
Kennedy’s call to Coretta King ensured his release.
Kennedys performance
Kennedys campaign was initially disadvantaged due to his unpopular father, youth and Catholicism.
Kennedys father, Joseph Kennedy supported the appeasement of Nazi Germany in the 1930’s, and asserted he was trying to buy the presidency for his son.
- Kennedy disarmed reporters in 1958 when he had received a wire from his ‘generous daddy’ saying “don’t buy a single vote more than is necessary.”
Despite Truman saying “its not the pope I’m scared of, its the pop”, Kennedys religion was more of a problem than his father as Anti-Catholicism remained strong.
Kennedy said nobody asked for his religion as a soldier and ensured supporters his first loyalty was to the US, not Rome. The close vote, 0.17%,was due to protestants.
Although there was anxiety about his youth, Kennedys film star looks attracted people as he worked the crowds, charmed journalists and emphasised not all Americans were part of the American dream.
