John F. Kennedy is clearly revered through nearly all American citizens despite political birthday celebration desire or ideology. We have a good time his life and legacy lately, and think of what would possibly have been if he survived that fateful day in Dallas 50 years ago.

1963 was a different world, a unique political landscape…no question. Some argue—and it’s a superior level—that between the tax-reducing coverage for all earnings earners (See: not centered cuts) at residence and the arduous line inquisitive about the Soviets each verbally (he called them “evil”) and through motion (Cuban Missile Trouble), the Democratic Kennedy used to be arguably rather more Ronald Reagan than Barack Obama.

However would Kennedy have even been elected to greater place of work in 2013? In these days’s TMZ-esque, social media-obsessed, opinion-pushed, polarized media that focuses extra on posturing and character than policy and concept, the reply is…absolutely no longer.

Media coverage of JFK was immeasurably kinder than the likes any President within the cable news era (Obama, Bush, Clinton) might ever dream of having. As an instance, two primaries elements of Kennedy’s non-public life—his main health concerns and extracurricular actions—were hidden from the public…aided and abetted through a media who didn’t deem it respectful nor correct to disclose such secrets.

That’s now not a commentary supposed to be bad. It used to be just a totally different time.

These two factors of Kennedy’s life obviously didn’t have any important effect on his job efficiency. He could have been in place of work for less than three years, however given the industrial direction of the country (busting out of a recession he inherited when taking administrative center by way of mentioned tax cuts), the symbolic victory of the Cuban Missile Situation (get the film 13 Days with Kevin Costner if you wish to see essentially the most underrated political flick ever), and the general feeling of optimism Kennedy exuded that was shared by using a powerful majority of American citizens (fifty eight p.c approval, handiest 30 percent disapproval in November of ’63), we will only surprise what the sector could be like lately if he went on to serve two terms.

But if the campaign of 1960 were inserted into 2013, it will have been disaster from the start. In the race to find sensational, attention-grabbing headlines, Kennedy’s non-public existence–no longer his stances on fiscal issues or overseas policy–can be been put beneath a microscope first. Various women in Kennedy’s life—tempted with the aid of checkbook journalism or the need to enroll in the truth convey ranks—would come forward. The Monroe-Kennedy affair—when published—could be the lead story on cable news and throughout magazines nationwide for weeks. Seriously…it might be tantamount to Beyoncé singing Satisfied Birthday, Mr. President and being caught sneaking out of the White Home whereas First Woman Michelle used to be away with the youngsters.

Twitter would damage. The campaign…over earlier than it started.

And that’s no longer even bearing in mind the persistent again issues (Addison’s disease) that pressured Kennedy to use crutches to get around (in private, in fact). Amazingly–via today’s standards–the clicking was once told to not take any pictures that incorporated the President’s crutches in the shot, they usually mostly obliged out of appreciate (or worry) of the place of business. The 35th President was once also dependent on ache killers. He suffered from debilitating ulcers and colitis. Back surgery nearly killed him in 1954. A priest in truth administered last rights prior to Kennedy defied the percentages.

In complete, Kennedy took painkillers for his pain, steroids for Addison’s disease, antibiotics for UTI (urinary-tract infections), antihistamines for hypersensitive reactions, anti-spasmodics for colitis (all via the infamous “Dr. Feelgood”, Max Jacobson). Briefly, he used to be an absolute mess bodily, however put all of it apart in public in addition to somebody may be able to are expecting…declaring himself in “very good shape” rapidly after defeating Richard Nixon in 1960.

Hiding such knowledge, such a large amount of issues, today?

Nearly impossible.

President Kennedy is arguably the most liked American figure of the twentieth Century.

Good factor he wasn’t aware of these days’s politcial climate.

Since the current urge for food for sensationalism and scandal wouldn’t have allowed a President Kennedy to exist in the first location.

[image by means of AP]

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