John Forbes Kerry isn't the first presidential hopeful to hail from Boston. The city has produced many national candidates over the years, from John Adams to Michael Dukakis, but one of these figures has retained a special place of honor in the city's memory.
Many Bostonians of previous generations personally remember the first man with the initials "J.F.K." who ran for president, way before the terms "talking point" and "spin" came into common usage. For the politically nostalgic and political junkies who were born post "Camelot," the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum presents "Campaign!," a temporary exhibit that will be on display alongside the library's permanent galleries until January 20, 2005.
The exhibit documents President Kennedy's successful campaign for president in 1960. Featuring photos, memorabilia, archives, and audio-visual materials, it was created in honor of the Democratic National Convention which was held in Boston this summer.
"Campaign!" offers visitors an interesting opportunity to compare today's heated presidential campaign with one forty-four years ago.
The exhibit begins with a colorful section devoted to the 1960 Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles. Archival footage shows an uncoordinated mess of people debating on the convention floor, a spectacle that could never have occurred at this year's over-organized political infomercials in Boston and New York City.
Back in Kennedy's day, conventions had a purpose other than to look pretty for a pre-picked candidate. Posters advocating long-forgotten presidential candidates such as William Symington litter the room, reminding the visitor that, although Kennedy had a good shot of winning his party's nomination going in, nothing was guaranteed.
After experiencing Kennedy's nomination in the first room, visitors walk down a re-created retro "Main Street" circa 1960 as they get serenaded by Frank Sinatra. The replica is complete with store windows promoting "Glamour Hand-Made Hairnets (No Elastic!)" and top-of-the-line black and white television sets from the era.
Campaign commercials for both Kennedy and his Republican opponent Richard Nixon play on the televisions in between excerpts from "Leave it to Beaver." The ads feature songs, smiling people, and politicians promising to restore America's dignity.
Of course, politics isn't all fun and games, and in many ways, not much has changed since 1960. "Campaign!" eventually gets down to business with audio footage of Kennedy and Nixon stump speeches discussing the economy, civil rights, and education.
One especially interesting section includes a replica of the WBBM Chicago TV studio where the first-ever televised presidential debate was held, complete with the studio's original control consol. Visitors can also enjoy a recreation of the news studio where Walter Cronkite, on live television in front of a map showing red and blue states, predicted Richard Nixon as the winner of the 1960 election.
Politics aside, the exhibit draws to mind certain traits that both John F. Kennedy and John F. Kerry share. Whether these similarities are intentionally evident is unclear, but it is impossible to ignore certain parallels.
Both men were senators from Massachusetts, both were Catholics, both served in the Navy and used this fact as campaign fodder, and both had their loyalty to the United States questioned. The similarities, for Kerry's part, may not be an accident. The two actually knew each other, and Kerry adopted Kennedy as his role model at an early age.
The exhibit is a small but delightful addition to the existing permanent collections, and brings a timely touch to an already impressive museum devoted to one of America's favorite presidents. Although probably too small to warrant a special trip out to "Kennedyland" for those who have been there before, political aficionados with a particular interest in Kennedy or presidential elections should consider a visit.
While obviously a Democratic crowd pleaser, the occasional Bush/Cheney bumper sticker can be seen in the parking lot and even Republicans will find the exhibit of interest. Granted, one departing guest was heard yelling loudly into his cell phone "What a turnoff!," but election season or not, this is still Boston and he was, in fact, referring to the Yankees.
