POLITICAL CAREER
John F. Kennedy As a Congressman
John F. Kennedy's political career began when "Joseph Kennedy convinced him that he should run for Congress in Massachusetts' eleventh congressional district, where he won in 1946" (JFK Library).
“He entered the 80th Congress in January 1947, at the age of 29, and immediately attracted attention ... for his youthful appearance and relaxed, informal style” (History).
“Kennedy won reelection to the House of Representatives in 1948 and 1950, and in 1952 ran successfully for the Senate” (History).
“He entered the 80th Congress in January 1947, at the age of 29, and immediately attracted attention ... for his youthful appearance and relaxed, informal style” (History).
“Kennedy won reelection to the House of Representatives in 1948 and 1950, and in 1952 ran successfully for the Senate” (History).
From "Kennedy's senatorial campaign poster":
"HE THINKS CLEARLY on the problems that affect us all as citizens of Massachusetts and the United States |
Presidency
"He never stopped at any plateau, he was always going on to something higher. So, obviously after the vice presidential thing, well, then, he was definitely aiming for the presidency." - Jacqueline Kennedy
“John F. Kennedy was becoming a popular politician. In 1956 he was almost picked to run for Vice President. Kennedy nonetheless decided that he would run for President in the next election. He began working very long hours and traveling all around the United States on weekends. On July 13, 1960 the Democratic Party nominated him as its candidate for President. Kennedy asked Lyndon B. Johnson, a senator from Texas, to run with him as Vice President. In the general election on November 8, 1960, Kennedy defeated the Republican Vice President Richard M. Nixon in a very close race. At the age of 43, Kennedy was the youngest man elected President and the first Catholic” (JFK Library).
“In his inaugural address, given on January 20, 1961, the new president called on his fellow Americans to work together in the pursuit of progress and the elimination of poverty, but also in the battle to win the ongoing Cold War against communism around the world. Kennedy’s famous closing words expressed the need for cooperation and sacrifice on the part of the American people: ‘Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country’” (History).
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