According to Francis Graham Lee, Ph.D., professor of political science at Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia, the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on Nov. 22, 1963, in Dallas, Texas, is one of the defining events of 20th century America. But although the assassination occurred 50 years ago, Kennedy’s presidency lives on, says Lee, in many of the choices the American populace has made in the voting booth for the Office of the Chief Executive. In this video, Lee discusses Kennedy’s lasting legacy for his and subsequent presidencies: “It’s image,” Lee says.
At the age of 43, Kennedy was the youngest president to be elected to the office. Lee says his victory paved the way for younger and less experienced candidates, like Democrats Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, and to a certain extent, the Republican candidate George W. Bush, to run for and win the highest office in the land. “[Kennedy’s image] still resonates,” Lee notes.
An expert in American constitutional law, Lee is the author of six books. He can be reached for comment at [email protected], 610-660-1753, or by calling the Office of Marketing and Communications at 610-660-3240.
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