Who is John F. Kennedy from The Best and the Brightest and what is their importance?

John F. Kennedy is President-elect of the United States at the book's opening. Kennedy was the son of Joseph P. and Rose Kennedy. He was wealthy and well-educated and of Irish-Catholic heritage. Although excluded from the top social circles as a youth, he was now a part of the best of society. He was brash and concerned with the idea of not appearing weak to the Soviets. He had the power and the drive that he needed to succeed in politics. Kennedy was educated at Choate preparatory school and then Harvard. He served in World War II and then entered politics. He worked for civil rights and established the Peace Corps because he felt it was important to establish the role America played in the world.