My first vote in 1961 (JFK) the big discussion and talk on every

[monmouth]

news program was the fact that not only was Kennedy Irish, but God forbid, a Catholic. He would be guided by the Pope (yeah, right). His Catholicism was a huge deal back then. I guess we've come a long way since then but sometimes I wonder. I only recently noticed that Barack Obama happened to be a black man. Damn, whodathunkit... I only noticed it because I read a couple of FReeper blogs...

What I'm saying is, Mormonism, race, feminine gender, such silliness. Obviously, Joe Biden need not worry today, I've heard nothing regarding his religion or ethnic background. In 1961 the thought of a black man running for President was out of the realm of any thought. People were absolutely frightened of Kennedy and his "Irishness." Of course, it wasn't that far before '61 when the Irish couldn't even get a job in this country, let alone run for President (Irish Need Not Apply). I'm just doing a retrospect here. Let's be thankful for what we have and the freedoms to choose them.

[slackmaster]

1. JFK was elected in November 1960

:nuke:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._presidential_election,_1960

[monmouth]

4. You're right, sorry...

[CountAllVotes]

2. and "they" are still frightened

by Kennedy and his "Irishness".

No Irish need apply my ass!

ERIN GO BRAUGH!!

:dem:

[monmouth]

3. And right back at ya!!

[hvn_nbr_2]

5. I remember the Catholic stuff but not the Irish stuff.

Where I grew up (rural PA), a lot of people were absolutely certain that Kennedy would (and could!) donate the country to the pope. But I don't remember hearing anything at all about him being Irish.

[monmouth]

7. Old timers used to use the term "filthy Irish." They didn't say too

much about JFK and the Irish because of his dad and the "money." But here, in Palm Beach, they were treated nicely to their faces but pilloried behind their backs. It was very, very waspy back in the day, and the Irish (money or not) were not appreciated. The Irish were their maids, butlers and cops! Joe didn't help when he set Gloria Swanson up in her own place down here and then tried to take her into the Everglades Club. He was not given admittance with Ms. Swanson, Mrs. Kennedy was his wife and automatically a member, Swanson was not. I could tell you stories... I used to see Jean Kennedy once in a while after church (St. Edwards) and we used to park our cars in the back of Green's Pharmacy. She was the nicest person. Anyway, one Sunday her car would not start (she said it was the maids car and I believed her). I took her up County Road to their home and they sent someone to get the car. That was as far as I got.

[hedda_foil]

6. Not just the Catholic angle, but he was spun as "too young" and "too lightweight."