"MR. CHAIRMAN, WYOMING'S VOTE WILL MAKE A MAJORITY FOR SENATOR KENNEDY"

JFK WINS NOMINATION ON 1ST BALLOT

Los Angeles (JFK+50) On the evening of July 13, 1960, Senator John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts was nominated on the first ballot at the Democratic National Convention here in Los Angeles.

Senator Kennedy, who defeated his closest rival, Senator Lyndon B. Johnson of Texas, by a 2 to 1 margin, became the first United States Senator since Warren G. Harding to be nominated by either major party for president.

According to Constitution Daily, JFK's nomination "was a big moment for the primary system" because the Massachusetts senator was able to "leverage...the system...as a new factor in presidential campaigning."

It was Senator Kennedy's victory in the West Virginia primary which proved crucial because JFK, a Catholic, proved his ability to win in a predominantly Protestant state.

It was the state of Wyoming, however, which put JFK over the top 55 years ago tonight.  The spokesman for the delegation said...

"Mr. Chairman, Wyoming's vote will make a majority for Senator Kennedy."

The TOP FOUR final delegate vote tally was...

Kennedy     806

Johnson     409

Symington   86

Stevenson    80

SOURCE

"Kennedy's nomination was a big moment for the primary system," Constitutional Daily, www.blog.constitutioncenter.org/

On the Floor of the Convention

www.lib.unc.edu

JFK WINS FIRST BALLOT NOMINATION

JFK WON PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION 55 YEARS AGO TONIGHT

Los Angeles, California (JFK+50) Fifty-five years ago tonight, July 13, 1960, Senator John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts was nominated on the first ballot at the Democratic National Convention here in Los Angeles..

Senator Kennedy, who defeated his closest rival, Senator Lyndon B. Johnson of Texas, by a 2 to 1 margin, became the first United States Senator since Warren G. Harding to be nominated by either major party for president.

According to Constitution Daily, JFK's nomination "was a big moment for the primary system" because the Massachusetts senator was able to "leverage...the system...as a new factor in presidential campaigning."

It was Senator Kennedy's victory in the West Virginia primary which proved crucial because JFK, a Catholic, proved his ability to win in a predominantly Protestant state.

It was the state of Wyoming, however, which put JFK over the top 55 years ago tonight.  The spokesman for the delegation said...

"Mr. Chairman, Wyoming's vote will make a majority for Senator Kennedy."

The TOP FOUR final delegate vote tally was...

Kennedy     806
Johnson     409
Symington   86
Stevenson    80

SOURCE

"Kennedy's nomination was a big moment for the primary system," Constitutional Daily, www.blog.constitutioncenter.org/

On the Floor of the Convention

www.lib.unc.edu

JFK NOMINATED FOR PRESIDENT ON FIRST BALLOT

July 13, 2013

JFK NOMINATED FOR PRESIDENT ON FIRST BALLOT 53 YEARS AGO TODAY

Los Angeles, California (JFK+50) Senator John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts was nominated on the 1st ballot at the Democratic National Convention here in Los Angeles 53 years ago today, July 13, 1960.

JFK defeated his closest rival, Senator Lyndon B. Johnson of Texas, by a 2 to 1 margin.  Other candidates trailed far behind.

The delegates of the state of Wyoming, with Ted Kennedy standing with them, gave all of their 15 votes to JFK and put him over the top.

Kennedy finished with 806 while LBJ had 409, Symington 86, and Stevenson 79.5, all others 140.5.

According to Teddy White, JFK had worked hard right up to the time for the balloting.  White wrote...

"Still running hard the candidate addressed six more caucuses that Wednesday morning before returning to his hideaway at 3:30 in the afternoon, half an hour before nominations were to begin."

John F. Kennedy became the 1st United States senator since Warren G. Harding to be nominated by either major party for President.

The 1960 Democratic Platform on which JFK would run had been adopted on July 11, 1960.  It was titled "The Rights of Man."*

*During the 1960 campaign, JFK proudly made reference to his party's  platform. 

At one point he said...

 "The Republican platform has also been adopted.   I do not know its title, but I have heard it referred to as 'The Power of Positive Thinking.'"

The Democratic platform addressed the economy by saying...

"We Democrats believe the economy can and must grow at an average of 5% annually, almost twice as fast as our annual rate since 1953."

The platform went on to predict that a Democratic president would end the high interest rate and tight money policy of the Eisenhower administration.

In addition, a strong civil rights plank had been written into the platform with the backing of the Kennedy people.  Martin Luther King, Jr. described it as...

"The most positive, dynamic and meaningful civil rights plank that has ever been adopted by either party."

On the issue of CIVIL RIGHTS, the platform stated...

"We shall...seek to create an affirmative new atmosphere in which to deal with racial divisions and inequalities.  What is now required is effective moral and political leadership by the whole Executive branch of our government to make equal opportunity a living reality for all Americans.

As the party of Jefferson, we shall provide that leadership.

The time has come to assure equal access for all Americans to all areas of community life, including voting booths, schoolrooms, jobs, housing and public facilities.

To accomplish these goals will require...the strong, active, persuasive and inventive leadership of the President of the United States."

The platform also included planks on national defense, disarmament, immigration, civil liberties, foreign aid, labor, tax reform.

It concluded with these words...

"As the Party of Hope it is our responsibility and opportunity to call forth the greatness of the American people.

In this spirit, we hereby rededicate ourselves to the continuing service of the Rights of Man everywhere in America and everywhere else on God's earth."

        On the Floor of the Convention
                     www.lib.unc.edu

SOURCES

"The Making of the President 1960," by Theodore H. White, Atheneum Publishers, New York, 1961.

www.pophistorydig.com/?tag=john-f-kennedy-1960

www.presidency.ucsb.edu/

KENNEDY WINS NOMINATION ON 1ST BALLOT

July 13, 1960


KENNEDY WINS NOMINATION ON 1ST BALLOT


Los Angeles (JFK+50) Senator John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts was nominated on the 1st ballot at the Democratic National Convention here this evening.


JFK defeated his closest rival, Senator Lyndon B. Johnson of Texas, by a 2 to 1 margin.  Other candidates trailed far behind.


Kennedy becomes the 1st US Senator since Warren G. Harding in 1920 to be nominated by either major party for President.


The Democratic Platform, on which JFK & his running-mate (yet to be named) will run, calls for speeding up economic growth.  It also has planks on national defense, disarmament, civil rights, immigration, foreign aid & labor & tax reform.


The "top 4" final delegate vote tally is:


Kennedy 806, Johnson 409, Symington 86, Stevenson 79.5

        On the Floor of the Convention
                     www.lib.unc.edu


July 13, 1961


JFK ADDRESSES AFS STUDENTS


Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy spoke at the White House today to 1850 American Field Service students from 50 countries who have been living & studying in the United States over the past year.


The President told the students:


"I hope you go from here not merely as a friend but understanding our faults & our assets."

               AFS Students in Australia
           Photo by Mick Boundy (2006)


July 13, 1959


KENNEDY WANTS TENNIS TOURNEY MOVED FROM FOREST HILLS


Spring Lake, NJ (JFK+50) Senator John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts spoke to 1500 guests here today at an Essex County Governor's Day Picnic held at the Homestead Country Club.


In his speech, the young senator said that the US Lawn Tennis Association should move its major tournament from Forest Hills, New York because of the discrimination policies practiced by the West Side Tennis Club.


July 13, 1948


DEMOCRATS ADOPT PLATFORM SUPPORTING FDR/TRUMAN POLICIES


Philadelphia (JFK+50) The delegates to the 1948 Democratic National Convention meeting here today adopted a platform which defends the foreign policies of both President Harry S Truman & the late President Franklin D. Roosevelt.


Republicans have been critical of FDR's negotiations reached with the Soviets the Yalta Conference & of Truman's cold war policies.


Despite the supportive platform, the Democrats are less than enthusiastic about the chances to elect Truman to his own 4 year term.


At the Republican convention held earlier, Clare Booth Luce told the delegates that Truman is a "gone goose".*


*Some Democrats held signs at the convention which read "I'm just mild about Harry", a rewording of the 1921 song.

July 13, 1787


CONGRESS PASSES NORTHWEST ORDINANCE


Philadelphia (JFK+50) The Congress passed the Northwest Ordinance today.


The law will organize the Northwest Territory & provide for the adding of new states to the union.


3 to 5 states are to be created out of the territory with the appointment of a governor & council for each.  When 60,000 inhabitants settle one of the territories, they may apply for statehood.