DBWI: A Kennedy President?

New Deal and WWII experts on this board may know the name of Joseph Kennedy -- he was America's ambassador to Britain during the key key years leading up to and following the war's breakout. A rich, connected man, his four sons are perhaps better known -- one of whom died in service, two of whom became big men in Washington, while the youngest became infamous in his own way.

What I want to know is: Which of these men had the best chance to become President? How would they achieve it? And what would their Presidency be like?

OOC: PoD is Kennedy loses 1952 Senate bid.
 
Well Joseph P. Jr. died in the war, he probably would of had to challenge Nixon in 60 (he wouldn't of had a chance against Eisenhower in 56). Apparently he was very charismatic, but Nixon was pretty unbeatable.His next real chance would of been in 68', and he would of had to beat out Johnson and Humphrey for the nomination and then Lodge in the election.

Then there was John Kennedy, who was about t he same age as Joseph P. Kennedy but was the only one that actually got a shot at politics (Wikipedia says he was a congerssmen in Massachussetts before trying to beat Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. for the senate and failing (which brings about another WI, if Lodge had lost to Kennedy in 54'!No President Lodge I guess?). After wards John F. Kennedy retired as a business man, until the early 70's when he was appointed Ambassador to Ireland. I think there was a push to get JFK to be appointed VP in 75 after Humphrey died but nothing ever came of it.

And then Robert...he was a civil rights advocate, lawyer, New York State Attorney General, Mayor of NYC, and Senator from NY for a while. Although he never pursued the nomination, if he had he could of challenged Reagan in 76' and probably would of outwitted the Gipper.

Oh wait and Ted...but he killed that girl and then ran away and killed himself...so f' him.
 
It would seem to me that Bobby had the best shot. Both he and John had the charisma and drive, but Bobby was more healthy physically (the War took a real toll on John). He was a factor in Democratic politics from about '72 through '88. He could have won the nomination in '76, but I disagree that he could have won the general election - that was just the wrong year to be a Washington insider.

Had Joe Jr. survived the War he would probably have taken the shots allotted to John for the Massachusetts congressional seats. It is a shame we didn't see him grow all the way up, he may have been a great President.

Teddy? Let's not talk about Teddy... :mad:
 
I agree that Bobby is the best shot for a Kennedy to become POTUS. Plus, he was more electable, even if Jack was really charismatic as well.


Oh wait and Ted...but he killed that girl and then ran away and killed himself...so f' him.

OOC: How dare you make my favorite Kennedy go mentally insane and kill someone. Not cool.:mad:
 
The Kennedy's are a big family name in Massachusetts... but they never really caught on outside of MA. and NY.

Joseph P. is an unknown since he died in the war...

John was pretty good as a congressman but his health was terrible as evidenced by his death in 78...Pretty amazing how much willpower the guy had though to make it that far...

Robert made a lot of enemies in NY State, he really doesn't have much of a chance with all the Reps and half of the Dems hating his guts by the end. But he has the best shot at the presidency, I can't see John overcoming his health issues, I can see New York pols finding Bobby's opponent even more unpalatable and uniting behind him..

Teddy's biggest achievement was of course getting drunk, drowning a girl in a car and then committing suicide over the press hounding him... not at all politician material... :rolleyes:
 
Top