Kennedy and the shadow on FDR
Since the beginning of the glorious post-World War II days to the dawn of the revolutionary 1960's, the United States had been led by an uninspiring, "ordinary" farmer who had led the country into yet another war. Additionally, despite the continuing economic boom, the obsequious societal tension produced by the enduring Cold War, the escalating civil rights movement, and the alienation of the "Other America" helped to cultivate a nation in great need of hope and inspiration as it entered the tumultuous era of the 1960's. It was such a scenario which John F. Kennedy faced upon his presidential inauguration; one which Kennedy's presence would, over the course of his three years in office, help to simplify. However, though his positive effects upon the country are undeniable, these effects resulted more from Kennedy's inspirational demeanor, rather than his lacking in both leadership skills and "presidential" character and as with every president since 1945 a shadow of FDR loomed over the office. There are those who believe that Kennedy shared many of the same characteristics Franklin D. Roosevelt dis
After serving three years of his intended four in office, Kennedy had managed to avoid encouraging any legislation in any of the latter areas, let alone make recognizable progress; that is, of course, except with civil rights. Regarded by experts as a destined failure, the Bay of Pigs, in which Kennedy managed to accomplish absolutely nothing while alienating several foreign nations, was decision making at its worst for Kennedy. He certainly fulfilled the job requirements he was given. For three years, Kennedy would watch as the government that proclaimed the equality of all men disregarded, disrespected, humiliated, raped, and in all conceivable ways ravaged the Bill of Rights. Only with the recognition that the movement would escalate and continue until it achieved its goals did Kennedy realize he had little choice, and "support" the 1963 march on Washington. National and global endangerment, however were motifs throughout Kennedy's administration - from the civil rights movement to Vietnam, Kennedy handled difficult situations with self-interested indifference, unwarranted aggression, and subtle subversion. That being said, Kennedy's leadership abilities, and to a much greater extent his qualities of character, indicate that Kennedy's "ability" as president stemmed solely from his ability to inspire, and the shadow of FDR would remain a shadow, for Kennedy would not fill the shoes politically only in his imagery. This is a fairly presumptuous thing to do, given the height to which history has rightly elevated Roosevelt - the conqueror of depression and war, who's mere image carried the ability to move citizens to tears in inspiration. This consequently led to the Missile Crisis, which Kennedy decided to resolve not through a level-headed attempt to maintain peace through discussion with the Soviet aggressors, but by an insolent practice in brinkmanship, endangering both national and global safety. While the civil rights movement achieved a roiling boil, Kennedy remained silent, wary of jeopardizing the support of generally racist southern leaders. The story of his lack of leadership can best be told around his New Frontier - an overly-ambitious program that highlighted Kennedy's lack of good judgment when it promised the end of racial discrimination, federal aid in education, Medicare for the elderly, and the cessation of the current economic recession. However, Kennedy undeniably carried on some of Roosevelt's legacy as an inspiration; where Roosevelt inspired with blind optimism and courage, Kennedy inspired with seemingly youthful vigor. This ability to inspire such confidence was truly a valuable and admirable attribute; one that contributed greatly to Kennedy's widespread approval - however, one could argue that it was the only leadership quality of Kennedy's that contributed to his success.
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