FREE ESSAY ON IMAGE AND REALITY

IMAGE AND REALITY

Valery Potakh
Mr. Anderson
US History 1A, P.7
24 November 1998
Image and Reality
In the years since the thousand days many questions have been raised and are still being
studied about John F. Kennedy. A Life of John F. Kennedy: A Question of Character is a
book written by Thomas C. Reeves, in which Reeves discusses these issues. JFK was a great
man, and yet there are still some things that one must take into consideration. His
morality was always somewhat of an uncertainty; be that as it may, these questions are
still not openly discussed. People were always taken aback by his personality, good
looks, and youth. After his death, it was quite difficult for most people to accept some
of the newly discovered negative information about him. The man meant so much to some
people that it was impossible to say something less than perfect. But all the same, facts
can not be denied.
While one may think that each is responsible for his or her actions, that is not always
the case. Much of Jack's character develops and originates from his family. He applied
these beliefs to his life as well as his presidency. His great grandfather Joseph
Kennedy's indifference toward people, and the will to do anything to get what he wants,
helped to shape much of the character in the entire Kennedy line. Inferior treatment of
women also originated from this source.
The lacking of a sufficient background as well as a good role model helped shape much of
Kennedy's negative characteristics. This was reflected in most of his decisions, as a
result. So therefore, diversity between Kennedy's presidential appearance, and his
private life of scandals, was unmistakable. His indifference to the values of proper
judgement, unselfishness, and sincerity to his wife and work was also reflected in his
ability to make thought out decisions. Though interesting enough, his greatest talent was
the ability to manipulate himself well enough that it appeared as though he contained the
qualities of an effective leader.
In spite of some obvious differences between his acting and the reality, John F. Kennedy
was probably one of the most liked presidents. During and after his era people felt
inspired to go out and make a difference. JFK had a look to him that made him likable to
others. One may even say he was a people person. He had the ability to enrapture people
with his capriciousness and elegant personality. Therefore much of the books written
about Kennedy felt that his unblemished reputation was important to keep. Maybe this is
because the authors were often close friends of Kennedy. As a result not all of the books
told the complete truth about some of the fundamentals before and during JFK's
presidency. While on the other hand, other authors, who were close to JFK, did disclose a
lot of information, which is how most of the crimination today, is known. The
congressional investigation in 1975, generated some alarming questions concerning Jack's
character (Reeves xii). Consequently, a greater gap could be seen between the image
presented to the public and that of the factual. Despite his superlative leadership and
his portrayal as a great and morally sound-man, John F. Kennedy was really a man with
lack of ethical values and integrity.
A lot can be said about a man's character from the way he runs his household. If one
takes this stand, than not much can be said about John F. Kennedy. Jack's marriage was
his father Joe's idea originally. The elder Kennedy believed that it would be undoubtedly
good for JFK's career. At one point the Ambassador says, "a wife and a family [are]
political necessities" (111).
Jack's consistent unfaithfulness to his wife was completely immoral. The night before his
senatorial election, Jack and his inner circle of friends were out watching a
pornographic movie (166). During Jack's presidential campaigns he continued his
infidelity. Just before a debate with Nixon, jack inquired if there were any girls
waiting for him. "Ninety minutes before airtime, Kennedy was in a hotel room with a call
girl (202).
JFK was also involved with a woman named Inga Arvad. She was suspected of being a German
spy at the time, and was being watched by the FBI (56). J. Edgar Hoover was director of
the FBI and friends discouraged Kennedy from his reappointment. But what they did not
know was that he had tapes of "Jack's wartime escapade with Inga Arvad" (217).
Jack's first day in office was somewhat of an event. He and Jackie attended many
inaugural balls. At the time he was involved with an actress named Angie Dickinson. So as
not to arouse suspicion she was escorted by one of Jack's friends, Red Fay, to the
inaugural festivities. At the second ball, Jack left the presidential box and went to a
private party hosted by Frank Sinatra, where Angie was in attendance, along with Kim
Novak. Jack slept with some woman at the last party he attended, hosted by columnist Joe
Alsop (235-36).
Two of the most frequent visitors to the White House included Judith Campbell and Mary
Pinchot Meyer. Judith Campbell went to many places with Jack. She saw him during the
summer of 1961, and she made at least 20 or more visits to the White House. Many times
she was asked to join the president on Air Force One, but declined (240). Judith was also
the link between Jack and mobster Sam Giancana (214).
Mary Pinchot Meyer made about 30 visits to the White House between the months of January
1962 and November 1963 (240). In essence there was always a swarm of girls being secretly
admitted into the White House. Jack would even have employees search family quarters for
accusatory evidence after the visiting "lady or-ladies-left" (241). 
Last of his more important affairs was with Marilyn Monroe. The affair with her started
sometime in the 1950's. It was so obvious then what was going on that they were warned to
keep things quiet, but they refused to listen to the advice they were given. (319). There
was one time where Jack, his brother Bobby, and a couple of other male friends showed up
at her door (320) undoubtedly for some kind of sexual favors. Jack's adultery made him
appear as some sort of playboy and pimp rather than a man of honest dignity and
credibility, which was supposed to be the president.
Jack's objectionable behavior did not end there. Jack took numerous drugs while in
office. One of them was a sex drug brought to the White House by one of Jack's friends.
Jack was afraid of one of its side effects so he gave it to Fiddle and Faddle to see what
would happen. Fiddle and Faddle were the nicknames of two of the women that worked at the
White House (242).
JFK hired a doctor who was known for lacing injections with drugs such as speed. Soon
Jack and Jackie were using this doctor's services regularly (295). The doctor's name was
Dr. Jacobson. When Jack was warned about these drugs they were given to the Food and Drug
Association (FDA) for examination. It was found that they contained amphetamines and
steroids, and were very dangerous. Yet Jack would not quite taking them because he said
they worked to relieve his pain, and gave him "instant euphoria" (296). "During every
major crisis he faced, including the Soviet missiles in Cuba, Jack summoned Dr. Jacobson
to administer shots" (296). The virtue and moral rectitude of a man must be questioned if
he is willing to risk his life and the reputation of an entire country for a cheap
thrill, resulting from his selfishness.
John F. Kennedy's whole political career appears to be a big hoax. During his campaign he
made promises to everyone, to win votes, but once elected to the White House, he did not
do a thing (225). He was moving against communism in part because he was afraid of
looking bad in front of voters (289). He did a lot of things because it was the
politically proper tings to do.
There was some fraud also taking place in the election. It took place in Illinois. Nixon
had 93 counties of 102, but lost by 8,858 votes. Yet a recount was prohibited (114),
which makes the whole affair suspicious. Also a former fiancee was given money to put
down a possible unfaithfulness suite, in the future, because Jack had made the woman
pregnant (218).
Kennedy's would lay it on thick to the press in order to keep a good public image (250).
JFK gave his friend Bradlee FBI information in exchange for good coverage in Look
Magazine (251). In addition Jack tried to conceal his Addison's disease (92). However if
he did not have the disease, how can his regular cortisone doses be explained (93).
Telling the media that he sometimes walks with a cane at the White House because it is
fashionable helps to conceal his back pain (294).
Lastly Jack regarded civil rights as a moral issue. Democrats wanted to be part of the
civil rights movement in order to gain black votes (335). Jack did not care about black
issues, as he made it seem. The only time he even talked about blacks was about getting
black votes (336). Kennedy made it appear as though he was in favor of civil rights, and
said that he would use his presidential powers, once elected, to end segregation. His
sympathy toward Martin Luther King made black civil rights leaders believe he was the
epitome of equality. But once in office he neglected his promises because he did not want
to make southern Democrats angry. Their support was needed in Congress to pass
legislation (335-36).
On top of all of that Jack appointed forty blacks for important government positions in
order to appear conscientious about black rights (249). His campaign promises to blacks
were never fulfilled because it was politically disadvantageous (337). Nevertheless,
throughout the campaign no one knew the real Kennedy's "manipulation of issues,
unrestrained spending, vote fraud, Mafia, and dishonesty about his intellectual
achievements" (215).
The mob played a vital role in Kennedy's campaign and presidency. The head of the mob
admitted to Judith Campbell that if it were not for he than JFK would not even be
president (214). This is because the Mafia donated a lot of money that was used to
influence and or buy off important officials in the race for Senate. Joe Kennedy had
promised protection for the Mafia from FBI officials, for this help (166). With all this
supposed 'acceptable' association with the mob, Kennedy already had meetings arranged
with head of the mob Sam Giancana, at the beginning of his term (262).
Jack's military frolics also turned out to be illegal and fixed. He would tell the
American people one thing, and then turn around and do some illegal military act the next
minute. He had approved a CIA assassination of Fidel Castro and then lied about it, and
claimed to not know anything (261). But if the president had not known what was going on,
how did he know whom to contact? In other words, when JFK wanted to know what went wrong,
how did he know to contact the guy who was assigned by the Mafia to kill Castro (262)?
The Bay of Pigs affair was the first time the nation got a peak at the real Kennedy. JFK
would become involved in military operations long enough to make them worse, and then he
blame it on others (416). A perfect example of this is his first major foreign policy,
which was a bomb (281); furthermore, it shows his complete lack of ethical values. The
reinitiating of the secret war against Cuba, after the missile crisis, shows his
inadequacy at making any good decision (416). His incompetent military actions are the
direct results of the character that his father instilled in him.
Joe Kennedy played a major role in Jack's life. He shaped Jack's character and his moral
core. If it had not been for Joe and the death of Joe Junior, Jack may not have entered
politics. But for these reasons he did. Joe did a lot for his son; he pulled some strings
to get Jack into the army (55). Jacks' poor health should have kept him out of the army
all together, but he was allowed in without any trouble from any of the physicians.
Kennedy's mistreatment of women originated from his father as well. He had no respect for
women and his theory on the matter was "I'm not through with a girl until I've had her
three ways" (241). This disrespect could only come from his father who when younger had
women in and out of the house constantly, even in his wife Rose's presence. One time a
mistress even lived with them for a few months and was integrated into family activities
(40).
Everyone suspected that the Ambassador was involved in Jack's life not only financially
but politically as well. The administration denied it, but Jack and the Ambassador were
always in contact with phone calls and visits (310). 
Jack's father helped him select the cabinet. He also advised Jack during the Bay of Pigs
affair. He made a "production of PT-109, a flattering movie about Jack's alleged heroics
in the South Pacific" (311). But a better view of the Ambassador's involvement with
Jacks' administration can be observed in certain papers, which are under control of the
Kennedy family, in the Kennedy Library (311). 
Joe Kennedy farmed the values of almost all his children, Jack being no exception. In the
Kennedy's there was this "intense self centerlines, aggressiveness, and a passionate
desire to win at any cost" (413). The elder Kennedy financed all of Jack's campaigns,
especially that of the presidential (414). Joe set up Jack's character in the public eye
and taught him, first, pursue the votes, and then worry about the morals and ethics
(414).
Moral objections were of little importance to Kennedy. It seems that Kennedy was not
really interested in the right of wrong of things, and he was more neutral for his own
personal gain. His character was to fight back no matter what the cause or consequence.
Kennedy's character clearly influenced his Cuban policy "from the decision to ignore the
moral and legal objections to an invasion, throughout the blunder and panic, the cover
up, the eagerness to blame others, and the creation of Operation Mongoose" (278).
An enormous gap existed between the image of JFK-
dignified public servant, faithful husband,
cultivated, judicious, reflective, well mannered-and
the real man, often insensitive, lascivious, and
irresponsible. How did his official actions converge
with the good intention and ideals of his rhetoric?
Was the image of youth, energy, intelligence, and
concern only skin deep? Or was there more to the
president? (328)
JFK came into the White House wanting to fix some wrongs into rights. He tried to
associate the presidency with high society and culture. He was blessed with good looks,
but beneath it all he was selfish and petty (414-15). He lacked a moral core (415). It
was there that the gap of character between Kennedy image and reality originated.
Overall, Jack's running around with women proved an embarrassment to the position of
Chief Executive. It endangered the White House, and made the whole administration an easy
target for black mail (418-19). Had Kennedy lived to see another term it is probable that
other nations would have discovered his extramarital affairs. As a result America would
have lost all the respect that had taken so many centuries to acquire.
JFK's adultery made many people lose respect for him and his position. Had other
countries found out about it all, America would have been laughed at relentlessly. The
President of the United States of America would mean no more than king of the apes would.
JFK would have proved to be nothing more than a boy, instead of a man. Morality is
definitely associated with action and consequence. It is definite that if the president
had had a better moral center and background he would have acted very differently in
almost every situation. Like Harry Truman said, "when there's a moral issue involved the
president has to be the moral leader of the country" (415).
Jack lacked good character and "failed to be a true moral leader of the American people
because he lacked conviction and commitment that create such exemplars of character for
all to emulate" (319-20). Kennedy got away with things not discovered for many decades.
His actions not only demeaned the highest office in the country but all associated with
him and his actions.
JFK died a hero, despite his games and obvious misconduct. This is a direct result of the
American people relating good character with looks; the next time that this occurs the
results may not end up too pleasing. The American society was very lucky in that only now
historians are figuring out what was really going on. Had any of this happened during
Kennedy's lifetime, a great scandal would have resulted. Hopefully those who have read
the book A Question of Character: A Life of John F. Kennedy, have learned that good
character must be associated with effective leadership. On account of that morality and
ethics shape a man, and one who does not have these qualities can not run a country
efficiently, as is evident from Kennedy's term.
All things considered, the president should represent all that society holds prominent.
If that man does not exemplify this and can not be a good role model, then he has no
right being president. The leader of America is expected to uphold the highest possible
virtues and that is where character plays a key role. Therefore image and reality must be
one, and the leader of the free world must live up to the values he sets, and those set
by the people.
Work Cited
Reeves, Thomas C. A Question of Character: A Life of John F. 
Kennedy. New York: The Free Press, 1991.