The 1960 Democratic Convention - Part 1

[brzewe]

I like how John F. Kennedy defused a hostile audience at the Biltmore Hotel by using humor to rebut Lyndon Johnson's remarks. It demonstrates the great power of humor. He had them eating out of his hand in just a few moments. Our political leaders and the nation today could use more of a charming and lighthearted manner like President Kennedy's.

[loupgarou5z3w]

... who had enormous domestic legislative accomplishments that should make liberals proud, gets little credit, because he lacked the golden-boy good looks, glamor, mellifluous voice, & charm that most Democrats prize above all else.

[loupgarou5z3w]

... accomplishments in Congress or the White House, off the top of your head? You can't, because he didn't have them. Meanwhile, Johnson, who ac

[loupgarou5z3w]

Democrats in particular seem to have a weakness for charismatic candidates lacking in substance. I think of John Kennedy as the John Edwards of his time. Who can think of four or five of his great legislative accomplishments, im Cong

[presidentbren]

I'm from Idaho and extremely proud of Frank Church. He is my idol.

Conventions are a lot different than they are today.

[presidentbren]

I'm from Idaho and extremely proud of Frank Church. He is my idol.

[prchristman]

Robert Kennedy did not like Lyndon Johnson very much. RFK is seen at 4:00 to 4:23, just to the right of LBJ's left elbow. Looking very stern. At the conclusion of JFK's speech (just following what was posted here), RFK gave LBJ a smile and a handshake. He was no doubt pleased with how well JFK handled Johnson's pointing to all the quorum calls he'd answered.

[nurula007]

haha JFK looks so bored when johnson gave his speech in the beginning. :) just shows how a "prominent" leader johnson was.

[BamaChris]

LBJ was a much better Senate Majority Leader than he was a POTUS.

[AwfulVision]

@BamaChris Johnson would have been a great, great president and would have won in 1968 if he hadn't been so entrenched in Vietnam.

Johnson really wanted to be the next FDR - a progressive social agenda at home, and a showing of American military might abroad. While I'd wager that Johnson's Great Society was on par with FDR's New Deal, I think it's obvious to all that Vietnam was no World War 2; Johnson's failed international policy destroyed his presidency and overshadowed his domestic policy.

[haharandom]

JFK sounds like Mr.Boston :)

[rrreece]

Thank you for the footage. It brings back exciting memories of what conventions used to be like (though I believe that they were all ready becoming somewhat "photogenic" or "photo-hygienic" by 1960 - I remember the raucous moments from earlier days - like the "Joe Smith" nomination at the Republican convention in 1956). I consider myself to have been extremely blessed to have been one of the thousands present for Kennedy's 1960 acceptance speech.

[Cooman456]

Thanks for uploading this. I'm an obsessive about past election, especially pre general. You forgot to list Hubert Humphrey as a primary candidate though.

[KKD1247]

I always thought he came later...in '64 & 68. Anyway, I did not have any film of him there, so I did not include him.

[Cooman456]

Yeah, check out "Primary" about the JFK and Humphrey race in Wisconsin. Humphrey ran but lost for the nomination in 1960, won the nomination but lost the presidency in 1968, and ran in the primaries but lost in 1972. Where'd you get this footage by the way? I'd love to check out other conventions. Thanks.

[TheBus18]

The part where Kennedy puts Johnson in his place is priceless. Even Lyndon acknowldges that he'd been had by a political master. 1960 was a rebirth for the Democratic Party. Will 2008? Hopefully. Kennedy-Johnson '60--Obama-Biden '08. Strikingly similar, I'd say.

[ercjncpr]

I cannot wait for part two! Have you got any footage of the Stevenson rallies at that convention?

[KKD1247]

Part 2 is now up and running. The footage shown is pretty much all of the Stevenson film I have.

[videoholicreturns]

Whoops...just read your description, now I see it's from film!

[videoholicreturns]

Great, rare stuff - where did this come from???

[iPodGenious]

This is great thanks for uploading it!