A couple of years ago for the 40th anniversary of Jack effin's assasination, a friend from out of town visited me here in Dallas, so I took him to the Book Depository. The place was swarming with Jack effin mourners. While we were there, I said in my loudest conversational voice to my friend: None of this would've happened if Nixon had the balls to challenge Kennedy's votes in Illinois. If he did, Nixon would've won, and Kennedy wouldn't have had any reason to be here on the day of his assasination.
I noticed many people around me in the crowd stiffening up with shock at my impertinent words.
But what's more interesting is why Kennedy got the nod from Chicago in the first place. Because of his good looks, I suppose.
LOL Thats a good one!
Also add to that. His use of the so called Missile Gap
Ike gave JFK a secret briefing to show him it was a myth. And extracted a promise not to use the issue.
Whats the first thing JFK did on the TV debate with Nixon. Brings up the "Missile gap" the Republicans let happen. Nixon could not respond with out breaching security on the U-2 flights, Corona photos. (1st spy satellites) & other sources.
Ask any space geek. And they will tell you. Von Braun was ready to launch a satellite in 1956 And the rocket that was used. was put into storage by Von Braun over a year before.
As a matter of fact. the Pentagon sent a General to inspect his rockets before launch. To insure Von Braun could not go Vell how did that happen
Much has been said about not wanting the Germans to be first. And I do think that was part of it. But I think a much bigger part was Ike let the USSR be first. And let them set the precedent of flying a man-made satellite over other countries airspace.
You counted coup with that one.
And who's to say that Vietnam may not have cost the lives of 50,000 brave American's?!
How would Illinois have delivered Nixon the presidency?
Take away those votes from Kennedy and give them to Nixon, and the vote is still 276-246 in favor of Kennedy, with 15 more Southern votes floating out there which at the time went to Harry Byrd.
Even if those Byrd votes went to Nixon, it still wouldn't be enough.