By the second year of his administration, it was plain that John Kennedy was not going to accomplish much of anything other than a clever manipulation of appearances, Vidal says. Kennedy could have challenged Congress on pending legislation such as Medicare and civil rights bills, but he was afraid to rock the boat. In his second term, with a full majority behind him, he said he would work wonders but in reality his main interest would have been in "holding the franchise for his brother. The family, finally, was his only commitment and it colored all his deeds and judgment."
Kennedy's election fulfilled the ambition of his father who wanted to compensate for what he saw as social snubs against his family and held the country in thrall with John.....
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