John F. Kennedy :: essays research papers fc

John F. Kennedy     John Fitzgerald Kennedy was born on May 29, 1917 in the Boston suburb ofBrookline. Kennedy was the son of Joseph P. Kennedy a formerambassador to GreatBritain. Kennedy was a lot like his father, possesing a delightful sense ofhumor, a strong family loyalty, a concern for the state of the nation, endlessvitality and a constant air of reliance no matter how dire the situation(Kennedy, Sorensen, Harper & Row, New York 1965, Page 18). Growing up in apriviliged household and graduating with honors from Harvard. He served as anassistant to his father (1938), naval officer (1941-1945), journalist (1941 and1945) and Congressman (1947-1953), he had traveled to every major continent andtalked 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 marriedJaqueline Bouvier. However one year later a spinal operation brought him to theedge of deaths door, make him to de eply reflect on his character (Sorensen28). After his dangerous operation he researched and wrote a book, aboutdemocracy. The next year narrowly missing the wrong-doing Presidential nomination ofhis party, Kennedy emerged as a national figure in large demand."John Kennedy was not one of the Senates 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 majorcontributions to the Senate excluding his stances on fair labor enlighten andagainst rackets, were constantly diminished of his Presidential campaign. Hisvoting record reflects his open minded views, and strengthed beliefs. He waswell liked and respected by many Senators. Kennedy was regarded for hiseagerness and poise logic in debate situations His only real enemy was SenatorJoseph McCarthy of Wisconsin (Sorensen 45).McCarthys rough and wide-ranginghunts for Red, "pinks" and headlines had stomped o n the freedoms of people whohad not committed a crime, and Kennedy was too clear-sighted and reasonable a man toremain indiferent to the extremism known as Mcarthyism. Kennedy often was athorn in McCarthys side obstructing many of McCarthys personal choices forvarious offices and by serving on certain committies of which McCarthy waschairman, such as the Government Operations Committee (Sorensen 46).Kennedys political philosophy revoloved around the idea that one couldnot throw overboard the pressures of party responisbility to cloud ones personalresponsibility. Meaning after all was said and done that the decision falls uponyourself to make the choice regardless of what your party platform was. Ofcourse the platfrom had significant merit, nevertheless it still came down to