There are lots of specials regarding JFK being broadcast lately. I caught most of one on PBS last night, and it's clear that while Jack was beloved by many, there were lots of people who hated him. And of course time softens hearts, so it's likely that lots of the people who "hated" Kennedy would today say "nah, I didn't hate him, he was okay." (If you're interested, you can watch most if not all of the PBS specials online, go to pbs.org and search for JFK, I think the more in-depth ones are all part of their "American Experience" series, but there is a NOVA "cold case" one, too.)

Clearly presidents today are better protected, in part because of horrific events like Jack's assassination, and there have been arrests regarding those who've made threats or noises about attempts or plans, etc. with respect to President Obama. Given the ignorance of some and the awful history of our country with regard to race, there's little doubt that some hate the guy because he's black. (For the record, I'm no fan of Obama's, but it has nothing to do with his skin color or gender, I can't stand Schumer or Pelosi, either...not that I'm a huge fan of most career politicians...and no, I didn't vote for McCain, either.)

Ultimately, though, my question is one of just seeking thoughtful commentary and opinion.

Do you think Barack Obama is today hated more or less than John F. Kennedy was in his day?

And please, for the sake of this discussion, let's leave race out of it, because focusing on bigoted idiots isn't going to do anything more than skew the numbers.

Nice question. However, I believe it is impossible to "leave race out of it". as you wish. Several partisan defenders of President Obama shout "racism" at every criticism of the man or his policies.
I will venture the opinion that the hoped-for easing of the tension between the races that many hoped for by supporting a black American has not materialized. To the contrary, at least among the political people, I believe the racial tension has worsened. ( Among "working people", the kind I hang out with, I see very little racial tension--until the subject of politics is raised. But, in the day-to-day, person-to-person working world, things are OK--or at least better than the race-baiters would have us believe.)
His approval numbers are becoming worse, approaching, or even passing the little-esteemed GWB. Does that translate into "hatred"? That is for you to decide.

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1982 300SD " Wotan" ..On the road as of Jan 8, 2007 with Historic Tags

Dallas' Mink Coat Mob in 1963

Terlingua.

JFK lost my support with the Bay of Pigs.
I never supported even his leaving office.
99% of the time JFK had the best interests of the USA behind any of his actions.

bo started massively lying to the American people during his 1st campaign and it worked soo well he has never quit. His allegiance seems to be elsewhere.
bo has left troops in the field to die in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya that we know of, who knows about all the other incursions into Africa and the Middle East.

Someone, ANYONE, please show me in our Constitution where the federal government can force me or any other American to buy anything !!

bocare is unConstitutional. Roberts was more than wrong in his decision too.
The Supreme Court does not have the authority to TAX !

From those I speak with, Id say bo is far far more disliked, distrusted more deeply than any other President.

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1985 300D 198K sold
1982 300D 202K
1989 300E 125K
1992 940T

"If you dont have time to do it safely, you dont have time to do it"

"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not."

He's gaining ground on GW

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Mike Murrell
1991 300-SEL - Model 126
M103 - SOHC
"Fräulein"

^^
Like said above, research Dallas Mink Coat Mob and you will find out how the stage was set for JFK's killing in Dallas.

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1979 Black on Black, 300CD (sold), 1990 Black 300SE, Silver 1989 Volvo 780, 1988 300CE (vanished by the hands of a girlfriend), 1992 300CE (Rescue).

The only person that brings race in the discusion when the President is mentioned around here is you. Where there is smoke, there must be fire, isn't that the saying?

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1979 Black on Black, 300CD (sold), 1990 Black 300SE, Silver 1989 Volvo 780, 1988 300CE (vanished by the hands of a girlfriend), 1992 300CE (Rescue).

I grant Georgie boy wasnt everyones favorite but with those I know even their dislike/distain of GWB pales before what those I know say of bo.

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1985 300D 198K sold
1982 300D 202K
1989 300E 125K
1992 940T

"If you dont have time to do it safely, you dont have time to do it"

"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not."

Yeah. The dang old race baiters, thinking that his color has anything to do with it. Sheesh....

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You're a daisy if you do.
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84 Euro 240D 4spd. 220.5k sold
04 Honda Element AWD
1985 F150 XLT 4x4, 351W with 270k miles, hay hauler
1997 Suzuki Sidekick 4x4
1993 Toyota 4wd Pickup 226K and counting

He receives a heaping helping of extra hate because of his race for sure. Was jfk hated as much? I doubt it but he pissed off the wrong people IMHO....people willing and able to pull off an assignation and eliminating the suspect.....that is signature mob style of doing things.....and the mob and the CIA were thick back then...so a few rogues in the CIA may have been involved too.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I wish the Democrats offered candidates as conservative as Kennedy.

did the OP mention race?

btw; fog looks like smoke- so don't judge a book by it's cover.

Obama is certainly feared by more people than Kennedy. By modern standards, in many ways, JFK was a conservative. Back then, lots of voters didn't like it that he was a Roman Catholic: division of loyalty was what was said.

JFK appeared by all means to love America. With BHO, it is difficult to see any love at all, more like a disdain. I watched the movie "Parkland" last night, an intersting flick about the post shooting goings on at Parkland Hospital. It's worth a Red Box rental.

Thought everybody liked George Washington?