JFK anti-communist

Submitted by Keith Barger (United States), Nov 22, 2013 at 12:25

Dear Mr Pipes,

I have to disagree with your supposition that JFK wouldn't have sent troops to Vietnam. On the contrary, i think he would have escalated. After the speech about "We will pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and the success of liberty. " ALso, After Kruschev pushed him around in Vienna, JFK had to appear tough on Communism (the rap on democrats is that they are soft on communism). JFK would have listened to his father & escalated. Jfk believed in the 'Domino Theory' as did the 'best & the brightest" (excellent book by David Halberstam).

I also believe that America would have been better off with Nixon in 1960. He would've heeded Ike to not get involved in a land war in Asia again, and would've reduced the size & budget of the military. He probably would also have had civil rights laws passed in his first term. Nixon was far more liberal than JFK.

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