Monday, November 3, 2008

Electing a president



In early 1960, Democratic Sen. John F. Kennedy threw his hat in the ring as a contender for the office of President of the United States. Kennedy's priorities included the economy, international aid, national defense, the space program, civil rights, controlling corporate monopolies and upping the minimum wage. His opponent, sitting Vice President and former Navy officer Richard M. Nixon, campaigned largely on his experience.

The Wake Weekly interviewed Wake Forest High School students to see which candidate they would choose if casting a vote in that election. Following are several of their responses:

Roy Lynam (Senior)
"I like Kennedy because he is an American looking to get the most out of his country for all Americans. He realizes the situation that our government is in and wants to do something about it. He wants to improve our relationship with Caribbean countries. He is going to put America back into the driver's seat. America will be second to none..."

Virginia Maupin (Junior)
"My choice for President is Richard M. Nixon. He has experience in both the legislative and executive branches of government. Nixon and his wife have traveled through many foreign countries and have become acquainted with the leaders in these countries. The foreign leaders have had a chance to learn the policies of the Eisenhower administration...We should not necessarily be Democrats or Republicans -- but Americans, and think only about what is best for our country."
"We should not necessarily be Democrats or Republicans -- but Americans, and think only about what is best for our country."

Mike Williams (Sophomore)
"[Nixon] would be a better man because, in being Vice President, he has had experience in presidential matters. I would vote for him also because it appears that Republican presidents have been better qualified to keep the United States out of war more so than Democratic presidents have."

Mary Ann Shearon (Senior)
"I would vote for Senator John Kennedy...First, I believe in Kennedy's policy for the conservation and development of the nation's natural resources for the benefit of all people. Second, with a predominantly Democratic Congress, I believe we need a Democratic president for the government to work smoothly and on constructive principles...The Democrats are for the farmers and small businessmen. What are the people of Wake Forest, but small business and farmers, or people who are dependent on these people?"

Philip Mason (Senior)
"Richard Nixon['s] familiarity with the federal government is thorough, for he has served as Vice President of the United States for eight consecutive years. His trips abroad and his associations with foreign diplomats in the United States assure us that he is capable of handling himself in the field of foreign affairs...The main reason is that he is a member of the Republican party, which stands for peace, prosperity and individuality."

Elizabeth Rich (Senior)
"Whoever wins the coming election is going to have a tough job on his hands -- our foreign policy, especially our dealings with Russia and the fight against Communism; our expanding economy and how to deal with it to prevent depression; the farm problem; a defense program that will protect our country, and yet show all the people of the world that we have peaceful intentions; keeping the federal government from getting too powerful; and protecting the rights of all citizens...I would put my cross mark by Mr. Nixon's name. I do not think that Mr. Kennedy is mature enough or experienced enough in governmental affairs to handle all the difficult problems facing a president of our country."