My understanding is that this is true. Kennedy was in political trouble. Apparently the nation didn't think it was so great that he nearly got 60 million of us killed by being a complete idiot regarding Cuba. Projections were that Kennedy was going to lose the election, and that is one reason why he was in Dallas. He was campaigning to try and shore up his support for the next election.
Had Oswald not shot him, he would probably have lost re-election to Goldwater. Making him a Martyr saved the Democrats from a Presidential loss.
And DiogenesLamp, you are wrong. Poppy traveled with him; he did not support him.
I didn't say that. The other guy said that, but I find it completely plausible that the Wealthy elite Republicans of the Nation considered Goldwater to be a populist vulgarian, and supported him only so far as it was perceived that they had to. Their heart certainly wasn't in it.
Thanks for the reply, but Oswald wasn’t what I meant. Had Kennedy run again, LBJ would have been dropped from the ticket. Yes, he might have lost to Goldwater. Instead we got “All the way with LBJ”, didn’t we? And you’re right, the Democrats got saved - so convenient.
Sorry for messing up on which Freepers when I tried to answer too many at once!