Congress
The war had taken from Kennedy both his brother and his health. In the months following the destruction of his patrol boat, Kennedy returned to the United States as a decorated war hero, but also a mature and serious man. Taking up the mantle of his older brother as the successor of his father, John mounted a campaign for the U.S Congress at the young age of twenty-eight. Following in his Grandfather’s footsteps, Kennedy ran for the seat formerly held by Honey Fitz himself, in the Irish Catholic stronghold of Boston. Having not spent much time there, John wasn’t well known in the 11th district of Massachusetts, despite his family’s roots in the area. He set up residence at the Bellevue Hotel, and spent many hours with close friends and longtime allies campaigning the traditional way (Matthews, 2011). Kennedy and his allies went door to door, spoke to clubs and unions, shook hands and kissed babies. He would go on to say in a recorded maxim “You can buy brains but you can’t buy loyalty” (Matthews, 2011). This maxim would remain important to J.F.K for the rest of his life; those who remained loyal to Kennedy came with him everywhere. Kennedy would go on to win his race and would serve in the US House of Representatives for three consecutive terms, from 1946 to 1952 ("John F. Kennedy," 2012).
After just a few years in The House of Representatives, Kennedy made a run for The U.S Senate. It was here that Kennedy felt he could make begin to make an impact on Foreign Policy, and shape America’s role in the world. His opponent was the formidable Senator, Henry Cabot Lodge Junior. Lodge came from a political dynasty that was ingrained in Massachusetts politics. Kennedy knew the challenge he was undertaking. He knew that in order to move on to the next big thing, he would have to be able to beat such a titan as Lodge. Never one to back down, Kennedy made his move and challenged Lodge’s reelection. Despite all odds, Kennedy went on to win the election, largely in part to his newfound right hand man, his younger brother Bobby Kennedy, and the utilization of the organization he established in Boston during his first congressional campaigns. The Democratic Kennedy’s election and defeat of The Republican Lodge was miraculous considering not only the Lodge families popularity but also the fact that in the Presidential election, the state of Massachusetts was won by The Republican ticket of Eisenhower-Nixon by 7 million votes (Matthews, 2011). This win further emboldened Kennedy and set him up for his next move.
With a seat in the United States Senate secured, one year later Kennedy married Jacqueline Bouvier. Kennedy was never one to be happy with his current situation and it didn’t take long for him to secure his first acknowledgement on a national ticket. At the 1956 Democratic Convention, he was among nominees for the role of Vice Presidential Candidate. Ultimately he did not succeed, but this was not act in vain. Kennedy achieved exactly what he needed at this point: national exposure and recognition of the part as one of politics rising stars.
After just a few years in The House of Representatives, Kennedy made a run for The U.S Senate. It was here that Kennedy felt he could make begin to make an impact on Foreign Policy, and shape America’s role in the world. His opponent was the formidable Senator, Henry Cabot Lodge Junior. Lodge came from a political dynasty that was ingrained in Massachusetts politics. Kennedy knew the challenge he was undertaking. He knew that in order to move on to the next big thing, he would have to be able to beat such a titan as Lodge. Never one to back down, Kennedy made his move and challenged Lodge’s reelection. Despite all odds, Kennedy went on to win the election, largely in part to his newfound right hand man, his younger brother Bobby Kennedy, and the utilization of the organization he established in Boston during his first congressional campaigns. The Democratic Kennedy’s election and defeat of The Republican Lodge was miraculous considering not only the Lodge families popularity but also the fact that in the Presidential election, the state of Massachusetts was won by The Republican ticket of Eisenhower-Nixon by 7 million votes (Matthews, 2011). This win further emboldened Kennedy and set him up for his next move.
With a seat in the United States Senate secured, one year later Kennedy married Jacqueline Bouvier. Kennedy was never one to be happy with his current situation and it didn’t take long for him to secure his first acknowledgement on a national ticket. At the 1956 Democratic Convention, he was among nominees for the role of Vice Presidential Candidate. Ultimately he did not succeed, but this was not act in vain. Kennedy achieved exactly what he needed at this point: national exposure and recognition of the part as one of politics rising stars.