We knew very well that the religion/state issue was an issue and had to be addressed. Even though I was only 8, I'd heard the "Pope will control the White House" talk. And my family's concerns that religious perceptions would overshadow JFK's candidacy. Even in Massachusetts, there was little assumption that JFK was a "Catholic candidate", or a "Catholic advocate".
Yeah, he was one of us, undeniably, but the discussions I heard were more along the lines of a larger liberal/social agenda (which we would call moderate today). And, yes, a forward looking agenda. That included an adept use of available media to convey a campaign message.
In any event, the speech on the separation of religion and state is a classic statement, imo, of a basic fundamental structure of our take on democracy. It really helped shape my young political awareness.
After the speech, my grandmother - adamantly secular in all things political - was beaming. My grandfather - a cop who went to Mass every morning, 7 AM - was typically taciturn and to the point. "Religion is religion. Politics are politics. He hit that one out of the park."
~ pinto
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