Image by TheAlieness GiselaGiardino²³ via FlickrBut we were still in our twenties when JFK was shot. There were many more and many worse days to come. (However, to be quite honest, there were many good days to come as well.)
Kennedy's death was, to we young liberals who had actually seen him in Boston and Cambridge, a tragedy, as the country had begun to awaken from the torpor of the 1950s. Sure, JFK's influence was more symbolic than factual but inspiring the nation is part of the president's job. In my day we have not had a president after Kennedy who could really fire up the populace. Why is that? Johnson had more clout with Congress. Clinton may have been smarter. Reagan was able to convince enough voters to be elected twice. Maybe, it was our youth but I doubt that. Connecting with the people is a skill that hardly any of our leaders have had in the past 47 years. I doubt that I'll see anyone with the necessary skills in my remaining years.
Kennedy's death was, to we young liberals who had actually seen him in Boston and Cambridge, a tragedy, as the country had begun to awaken from the torpor of the 1950s. Sure, JFK's influence was more symbolic than factual but inspiring the nation is part of the president's job. In my day we have not had a president after Kennedy who could really fire up the populace. Why is that? Johnson had more clout with Congress. Clinton may have been smarter. Reagan was able to convince enough voters to be elected twice. Maybe, it was our youth but I doubt that. Connecting with the people is a skill that hardly any of our leaders have had in the past 47 years. I doubt that I'll see anyone with the necessary skills in my remaining years.
No comments:
Post a Comment