[Aggie Mama]

I heard it and I was stunned. I called my mom, in fact, to tell her about it. As a Gen Xer I never understood the devotion to Kennedy. Luckily, both of my parents told me about the era and how his presidency was created after his death by Jackie Kennedy Onasis.

[ReaganRevolution]

Same here, I was born in 1965 and never understood his cult status. However, this woman was amazing.

[oyez]

Kennedy stepped aside at the Bay of Pigs, insuring Fedel Castro's coup and later made the non invasion treaty with the USSR, insuring his tenure. At the time of the Bay of Pigs Castro had not established a link with the Russians. JFK could have been really big, but he took the easy way out.
Back trouble, I guess.

[PISANO]

The Kennedy era of CAMELOT (BS) started because of JFK. His TV debates with NIXON marked the end of the time when a president was elected on SUBSTANCE. JFK looked good, Nixon looked BAD. Right then and there began the STYLE over SUBSTANCE era that we see today. It no longer matters what is said as long as one looks good saying it. HIS STYLE was further defined and refined by "FEELING ONES PAIN" as perfected by JFK #2, BJ Toon himself.

Of course a LOGICAL reason for the devotion by so many to the KENNEDYS in general and JFK in particular is because of his assasination. It was done at a time in history that MARKED the END of innocence for many, as the counter-culture revolution and Vietnam War were right around the cornor. I remember this well, I had already been in the NAVY for 2+ years and getting ready for my first deployment.

[WaterDragon]

Actually, Kennedy did do some good things...such as that tax cut. The Democrats simply do NOT want Americans reminded of that.

LOL....the Democrats thinking they OWN JFK! Like they OWN all black voters, right? (Which they don't)

The Dems hate it that slavery was rejected by this nation. Nowadays, they have to manipulate, cajole, buy and blindfold...no more Marsa: 'do this, do that' and it get done!

[Rocky]

his presidency was created after his death by Jackie Kennedy Onasis.

It's not that simple. Kennedy was worshiped by a lot of people for different reasons. Young people liked him because he was young and vigorous, in contrast with recent presidents (Roosevelt, Truman, Eisenhower). Catholics liked him because he was Catholic. Democrats liked him because he was their best hope after eight years of Republican presidency under Eisenhower, the same way they blindly worshiped Clinton (and still do). And then there was the Jackie mystique. Women were drawn to her, and voted for her husband.

After his death, he was elevated from the status of godlike man to just plain god. Anyone related to him was golden. Jackie was a goddess. Kennedy worshipers spoke of Camelot, and of the glorious 1000 days that Kennedy reigned.