What Does it Take to be a Great President?

 (By Hollis Henry, Katherine Darr and Joe Becker)

John F Kennedy

 

 

 

Where I Live(ed):

Boston, Massachusetts

Blog: http://iamediacenter.blogspot.com

Website:Official White House Biography

 

About Me:

Hello, my name is John F. Kennedy, and I was quite the trend-setter. Though my life was short, I achieved so many things and set such an example that my legacy around the world and here at home is just as strong now as it was 40 years ago. I am the youngest president EVER, the first Roman-Catholic President, and the first born in the twentieth century. I represented the hope, possibility and a future with no limitations. Some of my most

influential accomplishments include the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the ending of the Cuban Missile Crisis, the founding of the Peace Corps and how my life inspired many young people to transform politics in a positive way. Though my days as president were cut short too soon, I still made my mark, and truly did make the world a better place for democracy and freedom.

 

Date of Birth:

May 29th, 1917 in Brookline, Massachusetts

 

Date of Death:

November 22nd, 1963 in Dallas, Texas

 

Sex:

Male

 

Political Views:

Democratic Party

 

Religious Views:

Roman Catholic

 

Years Served as President:

1961-1963

 

Status:

Married to Jacqueline Bouvier

 

Children:

Caroline B. Kennedy (1957-)

John F. Kennedy, Jr. (1960-1999)

Patrick B. Kennedy (1963-died two days after birth)

 

Looking for:

Friendship, Networking, Flings

 

Occupations:

• Celebrated Lieutenant of the Navy (1941-5)
• Correspondent for Chicago-Herald American
•  House Representative (1946-52)
• Senator (1952-60)
• Author
• President of the United States (1960-3)

 

Interests/Hobbies:

• Sports
• Reading The New York Times
• Studying History
• Improving the world
• Women

 

Education:

• Choate Boarding School '35
• London School of Economics '35-6
• Harvard '40

 

Favorite Books:

Profiles in Courage by JFK

 

Favorite Movies:

Assassin of Youth

 

Favorite Music:

The Beatles

The Beach Boys

Marilyn Monroe

 

Friends:

• Marilyn Monroe
• Dean Rusk
• Douglas Dillon
• Robert McNamara
• Arthur J. Goldberg
• Orville L. Freeman
• Luther H. Hodges
• Mary Pinchot Meyer
• Mimi Fahnestock

 

Sports:

• Water-Polo
• Golf

 

During my stint as president, the political, social and economic factors and challenges that I had to deal with (at home) included:

 

Political

• Majority Conservative Congress
• How best to use television and press coverage
• Fighting to pass legislation against a reluctant Congress

 

Social

• Growing Unrest over Civil Rights

• Keep Southern support while pushing change

• Dealing with the Rebellion of Governor Wallace over the issue of desegregation

 

Economic

• Whether to keep budgets balanced, or use federal stimulates to lead to economic growth
• A recession in my first year of presidency, requiring immediate action
• Controversy between myself and the price-inflating United States Steel Corporation

 

 

During my stint as president, the political, social and economic factors and challenges that I had to deal with (abroad) included:

 

Political

• Dealing with policies in a nucleur age
• Gradual Loss of U.S. Political Standing against Russia
• Bay of Pigs nightmare and apology
• Growing responsibility in Vietnam
• Diplomacy vs. War in Laos
• Cuban Missile Crisis

 

Social

• Widespread poverty around the world

• Spread of Communism among poor, newly independent countries

• Education of Third-World countries on the prevention of communism

• Increased American popularity abroad through aid/reform support

 

Economic

• tax cuts
• not short term fixes, long term goals
• economic growth

 

Looking back at my presidential career, I had to wear several "hats."  Wearing these different "hats," these were my most significant achievements and failures:

 

Commander-in-Chief

I lead America strongly through the Vietnam and almost finished it.

Chief Executive

I was the one responsible for creating the Peace Core.

Chief Diplomat

I solved the Soviet Missle Criss.

Ceremonial Head of State

I broadcast all my speaches over the radio and on TV.

Manager of the Economy

I changed taxes to help International Trade.

Party Leader

I followed my party and helped raise the standard of living for the middle and lower class.

National Leader

Promised the nation that I would make it to the Moon.

 

Favorite Quote About Me by a Famous Historian:

"The command is forward."  -Captain Leahy

 

 

Positive Political Cartoon

 

Negative Political Cartoon

 

Works Cited:

 

 

Contemporary Authors Online, Gale, 2008. <http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/BioRC>.