The presidential election of 1960, touted as the first modern campaign (Donaldson), was one of the tightest races in American history. Massachusetts 's John F. Kennedy and Texas 's Lyndon B. Johnson held the presidential and vice-presidential spots on the democratic ticket, respectively, and California 's Richard Nixon and Massachusetts 's Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr. occupied the positions on the republic ticket. This tight race involved battles related to appearances, religion, and political perspectives, impacting progress in the civil rights movement and also diplomatic agreements involving international affairs. This paper will explore the significance of the presidential campaign of 1960 through examination of television presence, physical
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As an openly Catholic individual, John F. Kennedy approached hurdles hindering his advancement in American politics. Foner narrates the American prejudice against Catholicism but states that "the atmosphere of tolerance promoted by World War II had weakened traditional anti-Catholicism" (968). Foner also mentions that Paul Blanshard 's 1949 bestseller American Freedom and Catholic Power "accused the church of being antidemocratic, morally repressive, and essentially un-American" (968). The American electorate, largely Protestant, were reluctant to vote for Kennedy, assuming his loyalty would be pledged to the Pope and the doctrine of the Catholic Church, rather than the United States. Recognizing their hesitancy, Kennedy addressed the issue, saying "I do not speak for my church on public matters, and the church does not speak for me" (Foner 968). However, not only were the majority of Americans Protestants reluctant to vote for him, the Catholic population was slowly moving to become more Republican than Democrat. Donaldson states that this realignment was in large part due to the communist issue and also that Catholics were becoming wealthier or "lacecurtainized" (31). The realignment of some Catholic voters worried the Kennedy campaign, however, Kennedy ended up winning almost all of the Catholic votes in Wisconsin 's open primary, regardless of party affiliation (Donaldson 53). The victory in Wisconsin boosted his momentum and won the primary in West Virginia, a state that was less than three percent Catholic (Donaldson 54) to Wisconsin 's 30 percent, and clinched the democratic nomination; at forty-three, he became the youngest major-party nominee for president in national history (Foner 968). John F. Kennedy found himself to no longer be known as "The Catholic Candidate" (Donaldson 53). Still, apprehensions were held
As an openly Catholic individual, John F. Kennedy approached hurdles hindering his advancement in American politics. Foner narrates the American prejudice against Catholicism but states that "the atmosphere of tolerance promoted by World War II had weakened traditional anti-Catholicism" (968). Foner also mentions that Paul Blanshard 's 1949 bestseller American Freedom and Catholic Power "accused the church of being antidemocratic, morally repressive, and essentially un-American" (968). The American electorate, largely Protestant, were reluctant to vote for Kennedy, assuming his loyalty would be pledged to the Pope and the doctrine of the Catholic Church, rather than the United States. Recognizing their hesitancy, Kennedy addressed the issue, saying "I do not speak for my church on public matters, and the church does not speak for me" (Foner 968). However, not only were the majority of Americans Protestants reluctant to vote for him, the Catholic population was slowly moving to become more Republican than Democrat. Donaldson states that this realignment was in large part due to the communist issue and also that Catholics were becoming wealthier or "lacecurtainized" (31). The realignment of some Catholic voters worried the Kennedy campaign, however, Kennedy ended up winning almost all of the Catholic votes in Wisconsin 's open primary, regardless of party affiliation (Donaldson 53). The victory in Wisconsin boosted his momentum and won the primary in West Virginia, a state that was less than three percent Catholic (Donaldson 54) to Wisconsin 's 30 percent, and clinched the democratic nomination; at forty-three, he became the youngest major-party nominee for president in national history (Foner 968). John F. Kennedy found himself to no longer be known as "The Catholic Candidate" (Donaldson 53). Still, apprehensions were held