The speaker argues that as a president with gifted speech-writers Kennedy left a legacy of fine words – but also ruthless politics.
Did JFK die on the eve of breakthroughs in civil rights, relations with the Soviet Union, the war in Vietnam? Or did the Cold War Warrior remain cold on these and similarly crucial issues, domestic and foreign?
A number of Kennedy’s speeches (notably his Inaugural, the Brandenburg Gate speech, and the American University Commencement address) will be examined to evaluate the conflicting interpretations of the man and his presidency.
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