KENNEDY DEFEATS LODGE FOR SENATE
Boston, Massachusetts (JFK+50) On November 4, 1952, Congressman John F. Kennedy narrowly defeated Republican Henry Cabot Lodge in the race for a seat representing the state of Massachusetts in the United States Senate.
Senator Lodge, the incumbent, lost by only 70,000 votes out of more than 2.3 million votes cast. Ironically, Lodge's grandfather defeated JFK's grandfather, John F. Fitzgerald, in a U.S. Senate race.
The KENNEDY CAMPAIGN seemed doomed until brother Bobby, who had a "talent for organization," was brought in as campaign manger. Another major contribution to JFK's '52 Senate campaign were tea parties given for women voters by JFK's mother Rose and sisters, Eunice, Pat and Jean.
JFK aide, Kenneth O'Donnell said..."Nobody went to one who didn't fill out a card. We had them in every community (and) they became competitive events..."
Chris Matthews writes...
"The teas were aimed at winning the hearts of the working class, and also as a means of identifying and organizing the Democratic voter base."
On
election night early returns pointed to a Lodge victory.
The mood was gloomy at Kennedy HQs, but between 3 and 4
a.m., the word came that JFK had won the city of Worcester by 5,000
votes. Within hours, Lodge conceded and graciously came over to
shake Jack's hand.
The final vote was...
J. F. KENNEDY: 1,211,984
H. C. LODGE: 1,141,247
Mr. Kennedy became only the 3rd Democrat ever elected to the Senate from Massachusetts. JFK's win was a bright spot for the Democrats on the day of Republican Dwight D. Eisenhower's presidential election victory in both Massachusetts and the Nation. When asked why he lost the 1952 race to JFK, Lodge answered...
"It was those damn tea parties."
SOURCE
Boston, Massachusetts (JFK+50) On November 4, 1952, Congressman John F. Kennedy narrowly defeated Republican Henry Cabot Lodge in the race for a seat representing the state of Massachusetts in the United States Senate.
Senator Lodge, the incumbent, lost by only 70,000 votes out of more than 2.3 million votes cast. Ironically, Lodge's grandfather defeated JFK's grandfather, John F. Fitzgerald, in a U.S. Senate race.
The KENNEDY CAMPAIGN seemed doomed until brother Bobby, who had a "talent for organization," was brought in as campaign manger. Another major contribution to JFK's '52 Senate campaign were tea parties given for women voters by JFK's mother Rose and sisters, Eunice, Pat and Jean.
JFK aide, Kenneth O'Donnell said..."Nobody went to one who didn't fill out a card. We had them in every community (and) they became competitive events..."
Chris Matthews writes...
"The teas were aimed at winning the hearts of the working class, and also as a means of identifying and organizing the Democratic voter base."
The final vote was...
J. F. KENNEDY: 1,211,984
H. C. LODGE: 1,141,247
Mr. Kennedy became only the 3rd Democrat ever elected to the Senate from Massachusetts. JFK's win was a bright spot for the Democrats on the day of Republican Dwight D. Eisenhower's presidential election victory in both Massachusetts and the Nation. When asked why he lost the 1952 race to JFK, Lodge answered...
"It was those damn tea parties."
SOURCE
"Jack Kennedy: Elusive Hero," by Chris Matthews, Simon and Schuster, New York, 2011.
JFK and Henry Cabot Lodge
Photo by Abbie Rowe
JFK Library Photo (1961)
