50 years ago today, John F. Kennedy began his run for the White House

[WilliamPitt]

JFK announced presidential run 50 years ago
January 2, 2010

BOSTON—The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum is marking the 50th anniversary of JFK's announcement that he planned to run for president.

Kennedy made the announcement to reporters in the Senate Caucus Room on January 2, 1960 with the simple words "I am announcing my candidacy for the presidency of the United States."

He went on to tout his experience as a Naval officer during World War II and his 14 years as a member of Congress. He also cited extensive travels that helped him develop his view that America has a "noble and historic role as the defender of freedom in a time of maximum peril."

The Boston museum plans a multimedia exhibition to mark the announcement and subsequent campaign.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/01/02/jfk_announced_presidential_run_50_years_ago/

[graywarrior]

1. Something I definetly plan on going to see.

[MiniMe]

2. Ah, the good old days

When the Presidential announcements and campaigning started the same year as the election. I really hate the 2 year election cycle that took place in 2007/2008.

[brodyboy]

3. I shook hands with him. TWICE.

He made a speech at my high school (Granby High, in Norfolk, Va.). Very handsome man with reddish/auburn hair. Arrived at the event while seated in the back of an open Cadillac convertible. Wore a beautiful suit that made me feel very shabby by comparison. Actually, I was very poor and could not for the life of me see how I would ever be in a position to overcome the psychological
effects of being a bastard out of Carolina who didn't have a clue about his origins.

[WilliamPitt]

4. Welcome to DU

:toast:

[JohnnyLib2]

5. Welcome to DU.

I wonder---Did his 1000 days affect your attitudes?

[aikoaiko]

6. Sadly, a yacht with naked women was not involved.

:hi:

edited title.

[DemoTex]

7. IIRC, a plaque at the Parker House Hotel on School St. in Boston claims JFK announced there.

The Parker House claims JFK announced his presidential run there, at the hotel. The same plaque also recognizes two other historical figures who worked at the Parker House Hotel: Malcolm X and Ho Chi Minh. The historical link between JFK and Uncle Ho at the Parker House (albeit decades apart) is way too much irony for me.

[Don Caballero]

8. Best President ever

Oswald saw fit we would not get to see the remainder of his time in office.

[stray cat]

9. JFK was not a peace at any price president - why is he supported by progressives?

[WilliamPitt]

10. Because he died before the "centrist" label could set in.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

11. Little things like this, for starters:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7377072