Chapters 3-4 Summary and Analysis

Kennedy had decided early on to act as his own Secretary of State. He was well educated and well read and had served on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Kennedy was not as well known in Washington prior to the 1960 race. He was always traveling out of town. He became well-known after receiving the nomination and by mid-campaign was filled with confidence. He had the support of most of the press led by reporters Walter Lippmann and James Reston.

Kennedy did not favor Adlai Stevenson. He looked upon him as being indecisive and would not have him in the Secretary of State position. At one point in the campaign, Kennedy would have offered him the position in exchange for his support before the convention, but Stevenson wavered and would not make the deal. Stevenson wanted the Presidential nomination for...