Does Kennedy Deserve to Be Recognised as a Great President?
Does Kennedy deserve to be regarded as a great president?
Does Kennedy deserve to be regarded as a great president?
There is no one theory on John F Kennedy; there have been numerous books written on Kennedy since his assassination in Dallas, Texas, in 1963. Cal McCrystal of the Independent points out that there has been a mixture of hagiography, vendetta, gossip, acuity, sympathy and scholarly detachment, and range through the late President 's competence, stamina, physical health, sexual adventures, his wealth and of course his dealings when it came to foreign affairs. Kennedy seemed to be the first of a new breed of president; he was not so much a politician but a celebrity; to judge whether or not he can be regarded as great presidency we must look at his actions as a politician on both the foreign and domestic fronts. Kennedy’s presidency and the nature in which it ended has left the presidency one that is difficult to judge; throughout his presidency it seems as though he is waiting for his second term before he really acts in order to change America. As Robert Dallek says we are left with a “want of landmark legislation” which makes it difficult to judge Kennedy’s presidency. Kennedy did enjoy small successes in domestic policy, such as the minimum wage act, the redevelopment act, the Man power and training act, and the higher education act. The problem is that there is no evidence of landmark legislation and that the policies he passed in government were actually compromised due to his inability to control the Senate. More radical political issues such as education, civil rights, poverty, trade and healthcare were largely untouched and unchanged despite acts that were designed to address the issues; it was only when a charismatic leader like Lyndon B Johnson, who had complete control over the Senate, came to power that the important issues were addressed. The mere fact that Kennedy was unable to control the Senate is fundamental
Does Kennedy deserve to be regarded as a great president?
There is no one theory on John F Kennedy; there have been numerous books written on Kennedy since his assassination in Dallas, Texas, in 1963. Cal McCrystal of the Independent points out that there has been a mixture of hagiography, vendetta, gossip, acuity, sympathy and scholarly detachment, and range through the late President 's competence, stamina, physical health, sexual adventures, his wealth and of course his dealings when it came to foreign affairs. Kennedy seemed to be the first of a new breed of president; he was not so much a politician but a celebrity; to judge whether or not he can be regarded as great presidency we must look at his actions as a politician on both the foreign and domestic fronts. Kennedy’s presidency and the nature in which it ended has left the presidency one that is difficult to judge; throughout his presidency it seems as though he is waiting for his second term before he really acts in order to change America. As Robert Dallek says we are left with a “want of landmark legislation” which makes it difficult to judge Kennedy’s presidency. Kennedy did enjoy small successes in domestic policy, such as the minimum wage act, the redevelopment act, the Man power and training act, and the higher education act. The problem is that there is no evidence of landmark legislation and that the policies he passed in government were actually compromised due to his inability to control the Senate. More radical political issues such as education, civil rights, poverty, trade and healthcare were largely untouched and unchanged despite acts that were designed to address the issues; it was only when a charismatic leader like Lyndon B Johnson, who had complete control over the Senate, came to power that the important issues were addressed. The mere fact that Kennedy was unable to control the Senate is fundamental
Bibliography: * Cal McCrystal – The Independent * Harris Wofford - Of Kennedys and Kings * Ted Sorenson - A Thousand Days: John F. Kennedy in the White House * Robert Dallek – An unfinished life * Richard D. Mahoney -Sons & Brothers: The Days of Jack and Bobby Kennedy * Seymour Hersh – The Dark side of Camelot. * James Reston – The New Yorker