"I INTEND TO SEE THAT VICTORY IS WON"

JFK ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY FOR PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On January 3, 1960, The Sunday Star reports that Senator John F. Kennedy (D-Massachusetts) announced yesterday his candidacy for the office of President of the United States.

The "boyish-looking Senator," speaking in the Senate Caucus Room*, said...

"I intend to do my utmost to see that victory is won!"

Senator Kennedy will enter the presidential primaries starting with New Hampshire scheduled for March 8th.  Possible adversaries for the young Senator include Senators Hubert H. Humphrey of Minnesota and Lyndon B. Johnson of Texas.

*Kennedy Caucus Room is located in the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.  It was the scene of many congressional investigations including Watergate.

SOURCES

"Kennedy Caucus Room," United States Senate, www.senate.gov/

"Kennedy Enters Race, Rules Out Second Spot," by Cecil Holland, The Sunday Star, Washington, D.C., January 3, 1960, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

 

 

Kennedy Caucus Room

U.S. Senate Historical Office

www.senate.gov/

"THE PRESIDENCY IS THE MOST POWERFUL OFFICE IN THE FREE WORLD"

IT'S OFFICIAL:  JFK IS CANDIDATE FOR POTUS

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On January 2, 1960, Senator John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts officially announced his candidacy for President of the United States.  The announcement was made in the Senate Caucus Room* of the Old Senate Office Building, now known as the Russell Senate Office Building, here in the Nation's Capital.

Senator Kennedy said...

"I am announcing today my candidacy for the Presidency of the United States.  The Presidency  is the most powerful office in the Free World. Through its leadership can come a more vital life for our people."

The Senator added that he had visited every state and talked to Democrats "in all walks of life."  He also mentioned that he had been to "nearly every continent and country" in the past two decades.

Senator Kennedy concluded his remarks by saying... 

"I have developed an image of America as fulfilling a noble and historic role as the defender of freedom in a time of maximum peril and of the American people as confident, courageous and persevering.  It is with this image that I begin this campaign."

JFK did not have a lock on winning the 1960 Democratic nomination.  Jessica McElrath writes that at the time of his announcement Senator Kennedy placed fourth behind Lyndon B. Johnson, Adlai Stevenson and Stuart Symington in a poll of congressional Democrats.  She adds, however, that JFK was more popular with the rank and file Democrats.

*The Senate Caucus Room was renamed the Kennedy Caucus Room in 2009 in honor of the 3 Kennedy brothers, John, Robert and Ted, who served in the Senate and announced their presidential  candidacies from this room.

The KCR, described as "one of the grandest and most historic rooms" in Washington, is adorned with marble walls, a gilded ceiling and large crystal chandeliers.

SOURCES

"Announcing Candidacy for President," by Jessica McElrath, www.netplaces.com/

"JFK's Echoes Still Heard in U.S. Senate," by John T. Shaw, November 20, 2013, www.huffingtonpost.com/

www.presidency.ucsb.edu/

www.senate.gov/

Russell Senate Office Building

Washington, D.C.

September 26, 2011

Photo by John White

"THE PRESIDENCY IS THE MOST POWERFUL OFFICE IN THE FREE WORLD"

IT'S OFFICIAL:  JFK WILL RUN 

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) It was hardly a surprise but on the second of January 1960,  Senator John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts officially announced his candidacy for President of the United States.

The announcement was made in the Senate Caucus Room* of the Old Senate Office Building, now known as the Russell Senate Office Building, here in the Nation's Capital.

Senator Kennedy said...

"I am announcing today my candidacy for the Presidency of the United States.  The Presidency  is the most powerful office in the Free World. Through its leadership can come a more vital life for our people.

In the past 40 months I have toured every state and I have talked to Democrats in all walks of life (and) in the last 20 years I have traveled in nearly every continent and country.

From all of this, I have developed an image of America as fulfilling a noble and historic role as the defender of freedom in a time of maximum peril and of the American people as confident, courageous and persevering.  It is with this image that I begin this campaign."

JFK did not have a lock on winning the 1960 Democratic nomination.  Jessica McElrath writes that at the time of his announcement Senator Kennedy placed fourth behind Lyndon B. Johnson, Adlai Stevenson and Stuart Symington in a poll of congressional Democrats.  She adds, however, that JFK was more popular with the rank and file Democrats.

*The Senate Caucus Room was renamed the Kennedy Caucus Room in 2009 in honor of the 3 Kennedy brothers, John, Robert and Ted, who served in the Senate and announced their presidential  candidacies from this room.

Senator Christopher Dodd (D-Connecticut) proposed the name change "in the spirit of compassion & compromise, the fierce advocacy and tender friendship that Teddy and his brothers brought to the body."

SOURCES

"Announcing Candidacy for President," by Jessica McElrath, www.netplaces.com/

"JFK's Echoes Still Heard in U.S. Senate," by John T. Shaw, November 20, 2013, www.huffingtonpost.com/

www.presidency.ucsb.edu/

www.senate.gov/

Russell Senate Office Building

View from Capitol Dome

Washington, D.C.

July 12, 2007

Photo by RebelAt

at English Wikipedia

I AM ANNOUNCING MY CANDIDACY FOR POTUS

JFK ANNOUNCES PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDACY FOR 1960

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) Fifty-eight years ago, January 2 1960, Senator John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts officially announced his candidacy for President of the United States.  The announcement was made in the Senate Caucus Room* of the Old Senate Office Building, now known as the Russell Senate Office Building, here in the Nation's Capital.

Senator Kennedy said...

"I am announcing today my candidacy for the Presidency of the United States.  The Presidency  is the most powerful office in the Free World. Through its leadership can come a more vital life for our people.In the past 40 months I have toured every state and I have talked to Democrats in all walks of life (and) in the last 20 years I have traveled in nearly every continent and country.

From all of this, I have developed an image of America as fulfilling a noble and historic role as the defender of freedom in a time of maximum peril and of the American people as confident, courageous and persevering.  It is with this image that I begin this campaign."

JFK did not have a lock on winning the 1960 Democratic nomination.  Jessica McElrath writes that at the time of his announcement Senator Kennedy placed fourth behind Lyndon B. Johnson, Adlai Stevenson and Stuart Symington in a poll of congressional Democrats.  She adds, however, that JFK was more popular with the rank and file Democrats.

*The Senate Caucus Room was renamed the Kennedy Caucus Room in 2009 in honor of the 3 Kennedy brothers, John, Robert and Ted, who served in the Senate and announced their presidential  candidacies from this room.

The KCR, described as "one of the grandest and most historic rooms" in Washington, is adorned with marble walls, a gilded ceiling and large crystal chandeliers.

SOURCES

"Announcing Candidacy for President," by Jessica McElrath, www.netplaces.com/

"JFK's Echoes Still Heard in U.S. Senate," by John T. Shaw, November 20, 2013, www.huffingtonpost.com/

www.presidency.ucsb.edu/

www.senate.gov/

Russell Senate Office Building

Washington, D.C.

September 26, 2011

Photo by John White

KENNEDY FOR PRESIDENT

"I AM ANNOUNCING TODAY MY CANDIDACY FOR THE PRESIDENCY OF THE UNITED STATES"

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) Senator John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts officially announced his candidacy for President of the United States 56 years ago today, January 2, 1960.

The announcement was made in the Senate Caucus Room* of the Old Senate Office Building, now known as the Russell Senate Office Building, here in the Nation's Capital.

Senator Kennedy began...

"I am announcing today my candidacy for the Presidency of the United States.  The Presidency  is the most powerful office in the Free World.  Through its leadership can come a more vital life for our people."

At the time, JFK did not have a lock on winning the 1960 Democratic nomination.  Jessica McElrath writes that at the time of his announcement Senator Kennedy placed fourth behind Lyndon B. Johnson, Adlai Stevenson and Stuart Symington in a poll of congressional Democrats.

She adds, however, that JFK was more popular with the rank and file Democrats having tied with Adlai Stevenson in that poll.

JFK continued his statement by saying...

"In the past 40 months I have toured every state and I have talked to Democrats in all walks of life (and) in the last 20 years I have traveled in nearly every continent and country.

From all of this, I have developed an image of America as fulfilling a noble and historic role as the defender of freedom in a time of maximum peril and of the American people as confident, courageous and persevering.

It is with this image that I begin this campaign."

*The Senate Caucus Room was renamed the Kennedy Caucus Room in 2009 in honor of the 3 Kennedy brothers, John, Robert and Ted, who served in the Senate and announced their presidential  candidacies from this room.

The KCR, described as "one of the grandest and most historic rooms" in Washington, is adorned with marble walls, a gilded ceiling and large crystal chandeliers.

The room, which was also the location of the Kefauver Crime Committee hearings, the Army-McCarthy hearings and the Senate Select Committee on Watergate hearings, was designed by John Carrere and Thomas Hastings and built between 1906 and 1909.

JFK's Senate office was located in Suite 362 (now 394) just down the hall from the Caucus Room. Senator Albert Gore, Jr. of Tennessee occupied that suite from 1985 to 1992 and it is now the office of Senator Robert Casey (D) Pennsylvania.

Former Office of Senator John F. Kennedy

Russell Senate Office Building

Washington, D.C.

Photo by Jennifer White (2015)

SOURCES

"Announcing Candidacy for President," by Jessica McElrath, www.netplaces.com/

"JFK's Echoes Still Heard in U.S. Senate," by John T. Shaw, November 20, 2013, www.huffingtonpost.com/

www.presidency.ucsb.edu/

www.senate.gov/

JFK'S OFFICE: RUSSELL SENATE BUILDING

JFK+50:  Volume 6, No. 1786

BEFORE THE OVAL OFFICE:  JFK'S SENATE OFFICE BUILDING SUITE

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) Most Baby Boomers can recall the Oval Office of President John F. Kennedy in the West Wing of the White House from 1961 to 1963.  Many, however, are most likely unfamiliar with the suite of offices that JFK occupied during his tenure in the United States Senate.

Our daughter, Jennifer, has recently taken a position with a company based in Alexandria, Virginia and yesterday on her first assignment on Capitol Hill visited the office of Senator Robert Casey (D) Pennsylvania.  These offices, as it would turn out, were once those of Senator John F. Kennedy (D) Massachusetts.

Jennifer made a few photographs during her visit and sent them along to us. They are posted below.

Senator Casey's office is located in the Russell Senate Building named after Senator Richard Russell in 1972.  The suite of offices was designated Room 394 in 1983.  When JFK became a senator in 1953, the offices were in the Senate Office Building, but that became the Old Senate Office Building by the time he left for the White House.  The offices were designated as Room 362 during JFK's Senate years.

When the offices became available in 2009, Senator Casey, an admirer of the 35th President of the United States, moved in.  The offices are just down the hall from the Senate Caucus Room where Senator John F. Kennedy announced his candidacy for the presidency in January 1960.

Other occupants of the offices since JFK include...

Senator Philip Hart (D) Michigan 1961-1966
Senator George McGovern (D) South Dakota 1967-1973
Senator Albert Gore, Jr. (D) Tennessee 1985-1992
Senator Judd Gregg (R) New Hampshire 1993-2009

Outside in the hall is a plaque which commemorates the occupancy of Senator John F. Kennedy in these offices during the 1950s.  Any JFK fan would immediately recognize the elaborate fireplace mantel inside the office in front of which once sat Senator Kennedy's desk.

JFK Plaque

Russell Senate Building

Photo by Jennifer White (2015)

The office is also where Senator Kennedy was photographed sitting in his famous rocking chair which would later go along with him to the Oval Office.

Senator John F. Kennedy

Senate Office

Photo by John Vachon (1959)

Library of Congress

JFK Library Image

SOURCES

"JFK's Echoes Still Heard in US Senate" by John T. Shaw, Huff Post, Politics, www.huffingtonpost.com/

"JFK's Senate office is now Casey's," by Jonathan Tamari, November 22, 2013, www.philly.com

Room 394

Russell Senate Building

Washington, D.C.

Photo by Jennifer White (2015)

JFK ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY

JFK ANNOUNCED CANDIDACY FOR PRESIDENT 55 YEARS AGO 

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) Senator John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts officially announced his candidacy for President of the United States 55 years ago today, January 2, 1960.

The announcement was made in the Senate Caucus Room* of the Old Senate Office Building, now known as the Russell Senate Office Building, here in the Nation's Capital.

Senator Kennedy began...

"I am announcing today my candidacy for the Presidency of the United States.  The Presidency  is the most powerful office in the Free World.  Through its leadership can come a more vital life for our people."

At the time, JFK did not have a lock on winning the 1960 Democratic nomination.  Jessica McElrath writes that at the time of his announcement Senator Kennedy placed fourth behind Lyndon B. Johnson, Adlai Stevenson and Stuart Symington in a poll of congressional Democrats.

She adds, however, that JFK was more popular with the rank and file Democrats having tied with Adlai Stevenson in that poll.

JFK continued his statement by saying...

"In the past 40 months I have toured every state and I have talked to Democrats in all walks of life (and) in the last 20 years I have traveled in nearly every continent and country.

From all of this, I have developed an image of America as fulfilling a noble and historic role as the defender of freedom in a time of maximum peril and of the American people as confident, courageous and persevering.

It is with this image that I begin this campaign."

Russell Senate Office Building

Washington, D.C.

September 26, 2011

Photo by John White

*The Senate Caucus Room was renamed the Kennedy Caucus Room in 2009 in honor of the 3 Kennedy brothers, John, Robert and Ted, who served in the Senate and announced their presidential  candidacies from this room.

The KCR, described as "one of the grandest and most historic rooms" in Washington, is adorned with marble walls, a gilded ceiling and large crystal chandeliers.

The room, which was also the location of the Kefauver Crime Committee hearings, the Army-McCarthy hearings and the Senate Select Committee on Watergate hearings, was designed by John Carrere and Thomas Hastings and built between 1906 and 1909.

JFK's Senate office was located in Suite 362 (now 394) just down the hall from the Caucus Room. Senator Albert Gore, Jr. of Tennessee occupied that suite from 1985 to 1992 and it is now the office of Senator Robert Casey (D) Pennsylvania.

SOURCES

"Announcing Candidacy for President," by Jessica McElrath, www.netplaces.com/

"JFK's Echoes Still Heard in U.S. Senate," by John T. Shaw, November 20, 2013, www.huffingtonpost.com/

www.presidency.ucsb.edu/

www.senate.gov/