David Randall glosses over the facts to arrive at his 'model of greatness' conclusion about JFK's presidency. Although Kennedy was a gifted orator and a master of public relations, his actions did not match the lofty ideals he espoused.
A PBS documentary that aired this week chronicled Kennedy's many personal and political failings. According to the documentary, the Kennedy campaign used bribery, mafia connections and Joe Kennedy Sr.'s influence with the news media to provide the narrow margin of victory in the 1960 presidential election. Kennedy's presidency never would have happened were it not for the illegal activities of his campaign.
Kennedy's father was one of the wealthiest men in America. His massive wealth was the product of stock swindling and prohibition-era bootlegging-activities that built the family's well-known underworld connections. During his presidency, Kennedy carried on an adulterous affair with mafia boss Sam Giancana's mistress despite warnings from the FBI that the relationship could be used to blackmail the president. Giancana's intimidating influence with the Chicago electorate had been critical to the success of the Kennedy campaign during the 1960 election. Kennedy's reckless philandering jeopardized national security and humiliated his wife who knew of his many affairs.
Although Kennedy is often credited with being a major player in the civil rights movement, the truth is that he resisted any reforms until violence erupted in the South. The heroic efforts of civil rights activists and the brutal response by segregationists forced Kennedy to get involved. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed during Lyndon Johnson's presidency, not Kennedy's.
If, as David Randall asserts, 'it is character that creates greatness,' then JFK was far from great. Kennedy's presidency and personal life were more like those of Bill Clinton than they were of greats like Washington, Lincoln and Jefferson.
Ben Bergin
Provo, Utah