John F. Kennedy took office in 1960 after narrowly winning the election by fewer than 100 electoral votes. There was a lot of uncertainty surrounding Kennedy’s ability to lead. He was only 43 when he was elected becoming one of the youngest presidents in U.S. history. JFK enjoyed high ratings and is considered one of the best presidents because his youth, style, and phenomenal speaking skills brought something never before seen to the white house; and the way he matured in office while handling the most tense period of the Cold War before his tragic assassination forever ingrained him as an icon in American culture. JFK entered his presidency riding a wave of momentum that captured the nation. He had never lost an election, and his youth and personality made Americans fall in love with him. His charm, his good looks, and his rhetorical skills made him a staple in American pop-culture like never before: “Kennedy took office with extraordinary energy and the highest hopes. He seemed in some ways the perfect American” (p112, Morrow). Of course he had his critics, but many loved Kennedy. He had something about him that appealed to every group, and he changed the way people think about the president. His youth made it easier for him to tap into the growing population of young people getting involved in politics to voice their dissatisfaction with the nation’s current state: …show more content…
In many ways, the newly established Peace Corps would become Kennedy’s finest accomplishment; it showed the president’s unique capacity among his peers for understanding the younger generation. (p47