John F. Kennedy
...ally become the winning man of the 1960 election. The rocky economy, Cold War, and legal segregation called out for a strong, new leader. Kennedy became this leader, and brought the nation a sense of optimism and pride, and had a sense of purpose for the nation. His “New Frontier” set out a set of challenges that he challenged the American public to take. The Americans were willing and eager to take on this challenge. His slogan of “The New Generation Offers a Leader” appealed to the pride of the returning armies and those moving to the suburbs-all youthful, and seeking a fresh start. The large percentage of these persons could relate to the youthful and charming Kennedy. The American public was attracted to Kennedy’s urbanity-sandy hair, twinkling eyes, and always in style. He appealed to them more so than Nixon’s old and faded appearance. His rich family background also set precedence. Of the issues discussed in Section One, the most important issue leading to the election of John F. Kennedy is his “New Frontier” and promises for a better nation. 1960 was a time of change, crisis, new beginnings, and a set of many challenges. Kennedy referred back to the “pioneers giving up their safety and comfort with an attitude of ‘all for the common cause’. They were determined to make the new world strong and free, to overcome its hazards and its hardships, to conquer the enemies that threatened from without and within.” Kennedy’s inspiring speeches set the challenges in front of the Americans, and dared them to take them. With Kennedy, there was a purpose—a purpose to elect him. He seemed more aggressive than passive. The American public wanted to live up to his challenges, and succeed. Americans like success. He built up a sense of nationality and pride they couldn’t resist. With the new booming era, the new generation was seeking a new leader to accompany the “New Frontier”. It was time for a new generation of leadership. Kennedy stated “Young men are coming to power—men who are not bound by the traditions of the past, men who are not blinded by the old fears and hates and rivalries, young men who can cast of the old slogans and delusions and suspicions.” The returning veterans were seeking a youthful leader, to relate to them, to ...