“Any Democratic aspirant,” John F. Kennedy said when he announced his presidential candidacy 60 years ago, “should be willing to submit to the voters his views, record and competence in a series of primary contests.”
Eventually, the rise of mass communications and transportation made it much easier for politicians to build support beyond their local bases. And as Americans grew more prosperous and educated, especially after World War II, voters began to shake off the political influence of big-city bosses. A few ambitious and prescient candidates sensed these trends and ran for president while circumventing party insiders.
And with the brakes off, parties would follow their bandwagons, wherever they led. As one candidate described the modernized nominating standard: “Our campaign received more primary votes than any GOP campaign in history. No matter who it is, no matter who they are, we received more votes … The only way you could have done it.” That winner was Donald Trump.
During his protracted recovery, however, while he was often barely able to move, Kennedy finished work on a task that would mark him as someone special in the national consciousness:, a book that detailed critical events in the lives of eight U.S. senators who risked their careers to stand for what they believed was right. At various points in his research, Kennedy wrote on a board while lying flat; at others, he dictated to stenographers brought to him by his tireless aide Ted Sorensen.
Gunning for Burke’s ouster as state party chairman, Kennedy had his staff spend the next three weeks researching the personal lives and habits of each of the 80 members of the Massachusetts Democratic state committee. The senator visited dozens of them to lobby for Burke’s replacement, and the battle quickly became what Kennedy called “a brawl of monumental proportions.” His foes, who initially held an edge in committee votes, loudly accused him of bribery and job-trading.
Turning democracy into a popularity contest? The horror!
JFK was highly competent...
You got it wrong- not in choosing Donald Trump for Pres.
His family was also very wealthu from crooked deals aka bootlegging how did trump make his money oh yea failed businesses where he settled in bankruptcy court and took millions then liscened gis failure name on shady deals like in azerbijan google it.
And the last true democrat.
In my opinion it was the co star to Bonzo the monkey. Reagan
It's a joke, right?!? Kennedy was everything realDonaldTrump will never be
Actually the fault lies with those who voted for him as there were other choices.
It’s weird though, because DJT isn’t popular.
Don’t insult JFK!
Oh no. Don’t blame the stupidity of others on JFK.
JFK’s popularity was based upon his brilliance, humanity, and democratic ideals. Trump’s is based upon his evil, lying, and stealing.
Money money corruption money money corruption how wonderful
What a stupid assessment! JFK was the most educated , most eloquent and most intellectually competent president! He gathered the best administration around him!
This analogy is faulty- it’s like saying fruit paved the way for Adult Onset Diabetes. JFK had charisma, intelligence, pedigree, education & accomplishments behind him. Trump has none of these. I will give you that many voters vote b/c of an emotional attachment to a candidate
Donald isn’t that popular. Hillary won by 3 million votes.
I have a feeling the writer doesn't like JFK.🤔
Kennedy was a brilliant man...smart, courageous, charming. Trump’s a POS racist, and after having a black President( a great President), this lead to a racist revolution...nothing more! Cowards who will scurry back under the rocks from which they came soon enough.
At this point headlines like this “How ___ caused (opposite thing)” is an internet cliche.
Say it ain’t so
Fine. Wonderful. Let’s get to work to fucking fix it then.
Trust me so unintentional!
What?
No, he was trying to get rid of the old political power structure! That’s why they killed him.
No one: Is there a terrible political take we could get today? Politico: Have we told you how JFK is responsible for trump?
Omg
But not the popular vote. That's not good enough. Instead we have the outdated electoral college.
So this author isvgoing to ignore how party delegates play a role ? A true popularity contest would be like senate primary but at the presidential level the voters don’t get the only say..
Reagan was the actor not JFK. Reagan gave power to the Fed, JFK tried to stop them and was killed for it.
He also got the dead to vote
How dare you compare the two....No comparison!
JFK was a good man! Trump paved his own way! JFK was not a racist!