Why did Americans like so much President Kennedy?

One way to become immortal is to be assassinated. He actually wasn't that popular, but he and Jackie were media darlings, much like Obama and Michelle.

In truth, the Bay of Pigs was a disaster, (probably an impeachable offense), he doinked anything in a skirt, and was constantly whacked out on narcotic pain killers for his back condition. Myths die hard however.

No, Kennedy didn't do those things you mentioned, but neither did Roosevelt. Not everybody here thinks Roosevelt was such a powerful intellectual, and he wasn't exactly faithful to his wife either.

America loved many of Her leaders - Kennedy, Teddy Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt, Clinton. Reagan.

It's natural to like people with charisma.

And you have to have charisma to get elected to public office.

Just like many nations adore their leaders. 'Lula' de Silva of Brazil. Even Berlusconi of Italy has admirers, even though he's a Corporate Fascist --- it all boils down to charisma.

It's the same the world over.

He was young, brave, handsome, athletic, wealthy, funny, and most of all, intellectual before Spiro Agnew and Nixon made that a bad word. Most of all, his values jibed with a majority of America and he was especially charismatic.

Realize however, that as much as he was liked by the majority, he was hated by others - greatly hated much like our current president is by a vocal minority. They were greatly threatened by his popularity and image. The ultra conservatives labeled him a Communist or Socialist and Southern whites hated him for his stand on civil rights (sound familiar?). I personally saw three people applaud on the day he was murdered. A vast majority genuinely mourned his death however.

He gave us hope and direction. He dealt effectively with the Cuban Missile Crisis, drafted civil rights legislation which would be passed after his death, started the Peace Corps, got our children back on track for physical fitness, set the tone and goals for America's conquest of space, and greatly increased international cooperation along with America's image in the world.

He created the civil rights act of 1964 created the united states agency for international development he created the peace corps was going to pull all troops out of vietnam before his untimely death solved the cuban missile crisis and signed the nuclear test band treaty with the soviet union

Because Kennedy was anti-war, anti-Federal Reserve and pro-equal rights. He was a Libertarian of his time. And then he was assassinated by "Pinkertons". Oh no, you're right.. it was a magic bullet.

Because Kennedy was anti-war, anti-Federal Reserve and pro-equal rights. He was a Libertarian of his time.

@ Facts Pwnd You, Kennedy was not anti-war.

President Kennedy said "It is an unfortunate fact that we can secure peace only by preparing for war.'

Here in the US back in the 60's, we didn't have the 'tell all' media that we have today. Had reporters reported what they knew, Kennedy would have been dog meat to the average voter.

Kennedy was not as popular as history would like you to believe. His wife was, but not so much him.

Had he not been assassinated, we would all view him differently.