"Camelot" Returning To The White House?

The Early Show: Many Observers See Striking Similarities Between Kennedys And Obamas

(CBS)  As the nation prepares for President-elect Barack Obama and his family to move into the White House, many Americans can't help but notice clear parallels between them and the family of the late President John F. Kennedy.

His was a presidency filled with idealism, glamour and excitement, observed co-anchor Harry Smith on The Early Show Friday.

"The torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans," Kennedy said in his inaugural address.

A young senator had been elected to lead his country.

Now, 47 years later, the nation has chosen another young senator.

"Change has come to America," Obama declared this week while addressing a huge crowd in Chicago's Grant Park after word came that he'd won.

And the similarities between Kennedy and Obama are, as Smith put it, "striking."

Kennedy was 43 when he was took office, and Obama is just three years older, bringing a certain youthful vigor to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue -- including young children.

Both Obama and Kennedy were criticized for lacking experience -- and both knew the power of well-chosen words.

"Ask not what your country can do for you," Kennedy said during his inaugural address. "Ask what you can do for your country."

During that speech in Grant Park, Obama referred to "the times we were told that we can't -- and the people who pressed on with the American creed: Yes we can."

Kennedy had more than his share of charisma, and Obama, says Smith, knows how to light up a room.

But it's their wives who might be the real superstars -- both seen as glamorous and possessing a high sense of fashion.

Both men overcame significant obstacles to become elected.

Kennedy overcame still-widespread anti-Catholic sentiment to win the presidency.

During his famous civil rights address, he said, "This nation was founded by men of many nations and backgrounds. It was founded on the principle that all men are created equal."

And perhaps even Kennedy would have been surprised that, four decades after that speech, the first African-American was elected the president.

Kennedy was, and Obama is, someone who professes great optimism.

And one of the children of Camelot sees the similarities.

On the campaign trail for Obama, Kennedy's daughter, Caroline Kennedy, told a rally, "I have never had a candidate who inspires me the way people tell me that my father inspired them. But I do now. And that candidate is Barack Obama."

[vmcneal2]

Mrs, Obama has shown absolutely no taste when it comes to clothes and doesn''''t have the grace to be 1st Lady!


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Posted by stlouisman3 at 05:10 PM : Nov 07, 2008

I agree Michele needs some help in the fashion department. But I''ll take brains over fashion any day.

[nallanthi]

It is so wonderful to see the site of Obama''s family. Camelot is much more than just the external wear! I do not think there is any point of reference to compare this first family to any in the history of the United States. Whatever this family does will be "the" history.
Best wishes from my family to Obama''s.

Best wishes form my family to Obama''s.

[cheteunice]

Mrs, Obama has shown absolutely no taste when it comes to clothes and doesn''t have the grace to be 1st Lady!

[cheteunice]

kittykatzmom, ''HA HA HA WITH Michelle''''s taste in clothes? I don''''t think so!! She will be the laughing stock of America.''

Make that the world!

Posted by

[cheteunice]

This is an insult to the memory of the Kennedy Family. As if this empty suit is another JFK or that she has the style of Mrs. Kennedy--I haven''t seen Mrs. Obama wear anything that looked good. Camelot is not returning with the Obamas!

[notopennshut]

"glamorous and possessing a great sense of fashion"??? That dress on Tuesday night was a total disaster!!! Say no more about fashion sense.

[gmjh-2009]

really bad journalism. Not everyone knows what Camelot has to do with JFK. And you couldn''t be bothered to explain it

[wakeup60]

Yes, IT IS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AND WE ARE READY AND WAITING IN THE WINGS FOR THE JOY AND HOPE THAT WILL RETURN TO WASHINGTON AND OUR COUNTRY...THERE HAS NOT BEEN THIS OVERWHELMING FEELING SINCE PRESIDENT KENNEDY, AND ROBERT KENNEDY OF KNOWING WE ARE GOING TO BE IN GOOD HANDS-HANDS TO LIFT US UP AND OUT OF THIS MESS...WITH ALOT OF HELP FROM ALL OF US !!!!!LOVING EVERY MINUTE OF THIS !!!

[olderthnadam]

The religion of hate and condemnation preached by many of the religious leaders of Christ''s time is alive and well in today''s world. And I don''t just mean the reverend Wright as he is just one side of that two headed coin.

[olderthnadam]

lots of hate spewed here, no need to add my optimism!


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Posted by bks59 at 12:28 PM : Nov 07, 2008
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I disagree, the darkness created by the hate found here cries out a great need for the light of your optimism.

[olderthnadam]

AverJane,

You said yourself that sin is sin and all are guilty, yet you follow this statement with self righteous condemnation of others. Remember that Christ himself said that we should first worry about the log in our own eye before concerning ourselves with the splinter in someone else''s. It seems that you think that government should legislate morality but remember that separation of church and state was meant to protect the freedom of religion not to suppress it. And bear in mind that if you hand the power of making moral and ethical judgements to the government you take that responsibility away from the individual which in time leads to the loss of a moral compass for the individual. Christ taught that sin and forgiveness are individual responsibilities not collective ones. Collective responsibility is the basis for Communism.

[bks59]

lots of hate spewed here, no need to add my optimism!

[bracemic]

Kennedy was a charismatic womanizer. He never did prove himself. Why did people think he was so great?...appearance is everything.

[averjane]

That''s all people care about anymore; how someone looks and how they sound. They can be just as corrupt as h*ll inside and people can''t get enough of it. I guess it makes them look like saints compared to people they think are worse. But the truth is, sin is sin in the eyes of God so everyone looks like filthy rags. I hate to see who we get into office after this guys terms are up if the people''s choice is the likes of this guy and his brand of values. The floodgates will open up opportunities to the vilest. We think it cannot get any worse than this but it can and it has. I wonder if it will ever get to the point when we will idolize the same *** family and their two adopted kids one day? As long as it''s popular and looks good we will. You people are so ate up you can''t even see it. Read Romans, Chapter 1 in the Bible to understand where I''m coming from. I''m not making this stuff up. See what happens when you take God out of the picture. I feel sorry for my descendents but until the day I die, I will teach them that none of this is normal. Even nature cries out against it.

[suzyku]

What a bunch of very bad losers are posting here, would you have rather had the nasty, angry old man with no new ideas and no judgment and the moronic nasty, hateful palin in office to continue on with the horrendous war mongering, disastrous economic policies of the last 8 years?! Talk about classless! We can finally take our country back from the "monsters" as Paul Krugman says, we will no longer be held hostage! I am grateful that the majority of this country didn''t fall for the garbage spewed by the right wing fools who have put this country in the crapper!

[suzyku]

YES! This is definitely Camelot in the White House!!!

[flagirl001]

Comparing Michelle Obama to Jacqueline Kennedy is like comparing McDonald''s to a five star restaurant.

[armydog2]

how is obama an enemy? it seems to me that the extreme right that have destroyed our Country financially and in blood are the enemies of this democracy.

[innisfree4]

I absolutely listened - as it imperative that you know enemies better than you do your friends....

[armydog2]

innisfree4
You obviously did not listen to a thing obama said you are just parroting the rove rhetoric