I have never heard that one. I like that a lot. I agree with all you said there. If I'm having trouble seeing the distinctions in meaning you are describing from JFK,s words I think that makes the point I really had in mind. Santorum really stepped in it by expecting any but a few to appreciate what he had in mind.
Well, Santorum is a Catholic who—unlike Kennedy— sees the consequence of what Kennedy said. Gene McCarthy, a Catholic liberal, took his faith as seriously as Santorum does. He would be “amused” by what all the “Catholic” pols such as Pelosi and Biden are saying today.