Hi LR. There is no question that if JFK held the same basic positions today that he held as President -- lowering taxes, strong on national defense (although not always following through, as in the Bay of Pigs) and of course no indication of supporting the weird social agenda that was about to burst upon the scene -- he would indeed be a Republican. I think JFK was more in the mold of a Scoop Jackson or George Meany or Zell Miller Democrat -- we might have disagreements with him on particular issues, like unions, but these were all within the realm of normal political give and take. I am aware of no indication that Kennedy favored the more radical aspects of the Rat agenda, even in his own time. I do think it was possible for him to be led around by more leftist academic types, like Galbraith or Schlesinger or for that matter McNamara, and that was a weakness. I think his basic political instincts were okay -- leaving his personal amorous escapades out of the picture -- that part seems to be genetic with the family.
Hey, Speedy,
I see you reside in the Back Bay - Bless you. It must be pretty frustrating at times. Thanks for fighting the good fight behind enemy lines.