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Goldwater Vs. JFK Echoes in '08

Obama vs. McCain recalls race that never happened in '64

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted May 21, 2008 12:19 PM CDT

(Newser) – The coming Obama/McCain matchup is an echo of another presidential bout, David Talbot writes for Salon—one that never happened between JFK and Barry Goldwater in 1964. Then as now, a young idealist takes on a seasoned ex-soldier over negotiation with hostile governments, to debate a fundamental question of whether it is more important to project understanding or strength to the world.

When Kennedy was assassinated, he was about to deliver a speech that demanded America “practice what it preached” on Democratic principles, rather than bullying the globe into obedience. That message, Talbot writes, has lacked a suitable herald until now, and the election will be “the debate over war and peace that President Kennedy and Senator Goldwater never got to hold.“

In this Feb 6, 2008 file photo, Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., addresses the media in Chicago. Barack Obama is dashing full-tilt into the general-election fight against Republican John McCain without waiting for the Democratic marathon to end.
In this Feb 6, 2008 file photo, Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., addresses the media in Chicago. Barack Obama is dashing full-tilt into the general-election fight against Republican...   (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer,File)
In this file photo from Jan. 30, 2007, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., left, and Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill. greet on Capitol Hill  in Washington prior to testifying before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee a hearing on global warming. Barack Obama, the Democratic presidential hopeful, has pivoted into a...
In this file photo from Jan. 30, 2007, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., left, and Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill. greet on Capitol Hill in Washington prior to testifying before the Senate Environment and Public...   (AP Photo/Dennis Cook)
Republican presidential candidate, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., speaks to members of the National Restaurant Association on Monday, May 19, 2008, in Chicago. McCain accused Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama of inexperience and reckless judgment Monday, for saying Iran does not pose the same serious threat to the United States as...
Republican presidential candidate, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., speaks to members of the National Restaurant Association on Monday, May 19, 2008, in Chicago. McCain accused Democratic presidential candidate...   (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
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