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Hillary Clinton as the JFK of 2008: Fair comparison or blasphemy?

At first glance, you may wonder what kind of comparison could exist between Hillary Clinton and JFK. Their lives do not appear to have any parallels for comparison, but blasphemy is not a word that fits either. JFK had some brilliant moments in history and was a charismatic leader.

Which points shall we use for comparison: JFK's approval of a few trained Cuban exiles attempting to overthrow the Cuban government, his penchant for womanizing, his expansion of the Viet Nam war, his breaking the terms of the Geneva convention, or his 1.6 billion dollar spending to establish aid programs?

I think she'll go for the aid programs. Of course 1.6 billion dollars won't go as far today as it did in 1962. I would guess the figure would be closer to 25 trillion dollars today. Don't worry about where the money will come from, It will come from you.

In all fairness, Hillary Clinton is gutsy. Hillary Clinton was the first and maybe only, first lady to be subpoenaed by a Federal grand jury. She lived through several official investigations dealing with the firings in the White House travel office, questionable circumstances of Vince Foster's death, and the questionable use of FBI background files.

There is a rumor, that says that while the Vince Foster investigation was still new, Hillary's people went into his home and removed office files. These files contained what? Why was it necessary to retrieve them so quickly? Why was removal even allowed at that point in the investigation?

There was the Whitewater Investigation and the infamous proposed health care known as Hillary care of 1993. Even John Kerry couldn't bring back a warmed over version of it. There's no reason to mention the items that were missing from the White House when the Clintons moved out in 2001.

I don't think she'll expand the Iraqi war, but neither do I think she'll pull the troops our immediately. It's just possible that there are thousands of layers of intelligence reports for which the public hasn't access. I could be wrong.

John Kennedy and his wife Jacqueline symbolized a new generation. The Clintons do not, in my opinion represent a new generation. The Kennedys had a troubled marriage and maybe that is a similarity. Again I could be wrong.

Kennedy served in congress from 1947 until 1960. He was elected from his home state and served in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Hillary Clinton moved to New York in 2000 and ran for Senate the same year beating an unknown opponent.

You'll recall that Rudy Guilliano dropped out of the race that year.

Kennedy, with the help of his Executive Security Council, faced down the Russians in the Bay of Pigs in 1961. He also assembled and readied troops for an attack on Cuba and Russia in case the standoff didn't end well for the U.S.

I'm not sure what Hillary Clinton would do in a similar situation. She doesn't commit much on detailed questions.

Domestically, Kennedy wasn't a great success as President. Camelot was a fantasy. He worked for civil rights legislation, but it was Lyndon Johnson who rounded up the necessary votes to push through the legislation after Kennedy's death.

What JFK might have accomplished, had he lived, is a question without an answer. Without a doubt he was a leader with charisma.

Should Hillary Clinton compare herself to JFK? I don't see many points for comparison.

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet .co.uk/USAkennedyJ.htm
http://answers.com

Learn more about this author, Mona Gallagher.
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Hillary Clinton as the JFK of 2008: Fair comparison or blasphemy?

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Hillary Clinton as the JFK of 2008: Fair comparison or blasphemy?

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