About This Episode
Despite clear victories over some of his opponents during the primary season, John F. Kennedy’s path to the presidency still wasn’t certain as he arrived in Los Angeles for the Democratic National Convention. In this episode, we’ll hear about the young senator’s rise to the top, the challenges he faced in uniting a fractured party, and how he would turn one of his biggest opponents into one of his greatest assets.
Featuring interviews and archive audio from David Axelrod, James Farmer, Fredrik Logevall, Tim Naftali, and Barbara Perry.
View the transcript for this episode.
From the JFK Library Archives
TNC:27 (excerpt) Truman Criticism of JFK, Press conference given by President Harry Truman announcing his reasons for resigning as a delegate to the 1960 Democratic National Convention. July 2, 1960.
JFK Accepts LBJ's Invitation to Meet with the Texas Delegation, July 12, 1960.
JFK Acceptance of Democratic Nomination for President, CBS motion picture excerpt of Presidential candidate John F. Kennedy's full acceptance speech at the 1960 Democratic National Convention at the Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California. July 15, 1960.
Statement announcing LBJ as JFK's running mate, Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files. Special Events through the Years.
Additional Material
LBJ - JFK “debate” at news conference for Texas delegation, Universal Newsreels, C-Span.
See full source list for this series.
Credits
Hosts and producers: Matt Porter and Jamie Richardson
Co-producer: Rick King
Research assistants: Megan McKee and Cassie Marando.
Special thanks to our Foundation colleagues, in particular Meaghan Hohl and Executive Director Rachel Flor.
We also thank all of our guests for lending their voices and expertise to this podcast.
None of this would be possible without the work by archivists and other staff at the JFK Library and Museum, who make much of the material discussed available to all online and to visiting researchers.
Logo: Brian Kang
Music: Blue.Sessions