On Wednesday, October 5, 1960, a crowd at the Evansville airport was drenched while waiting for a special airplane to arrive. It was an hour behind schedule, but when Senator John F. Kennedy finally stepped off the plane about 3 p.m., the rain suddenly stopped. A few minutes later, the charismatic Democratic candidate for president greeted a welcoming crowd of an estimated 12,000 admiring adults and squealing teenagers on the steps of the Old Courthouse. Kennedy’s appearance came only days after a visit to the city by Vice-President Richard M. Nixon, who was also vying for the presidency. It would be a close election in November.
I heard JFK speak on the New Haven Green (CN) that Fall of the election. The effect was electric…his speech pattern and cadence, the flat Boston Irish tenor and its beautiful content was the first source of political charisma I ever felt. HDA
He and his brother permanently changed an entire generation. It is difficult for people now to understand that due to the total lack of respect for others with whom one should be working in government at all levels today. So many sad commentaries in today’s culture about how the US is rupturing out in all the wrong directions. I admire the really good people who still want to fight the good fight. They are few and far between.
We sure could use John and Bobby now , they were honest politicians ,,did I say that?
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