00:00 John F. Kennedy's inaugural address in 1961 was filled with powerful rhetoric and long pauses, showcasing his distinctive style of traditional oratory.

04:59 John F. Kennedy, a centrist and conventional politician, is seen as an ideal candidate for the presidency due to his appeal to both urban and Southern voters, despite the challenges of being a senator and a Catholic.

09:17 In 1960, John F. Kennedy successfully addresses concerns about his Catholic faith and wins the Democratic Party nomination, choosing Lyndon Baines Johnson as his vice presidential nominee to balance his liberal image with a Texan presence, and he delivers a grand speech at the convention emphasizing the Cold War and the new frontier.

13:31 Despite allegations of fraud in the election, John F. Kennedy's victory was not a stolen election, and his administration consisted of establishment figures rather than radical left-wing individuals.

18:03 John F. Kennedy's economic policy consisted of cutting taxes and stimulating the economy, while his stance on civil rights was ambivalent due to political considerations and a lack of personal experience.

22:42 In June 1963, JFK gives a powerful TV speech on civil rights, vowing to send a bill to Congress to outlaw discrimination, but it is uncertain whether he will be able to get it passed.

27:31 In April 1961, the Bay of Pigs operation is launched, but it quickly becomes a disaster as the Cuban exiles are either killed or captured by Castro's troops, leading to bitterness and blame towards Kennedy, although he does not want to get involved in a potential conflict with the Soviet Union. Kennedy's interest in getting rid of Castro continues with Operation Mongoose, but it is not his personal obsession and he is more focused on the Soviet Union and the threat of nuclear war. Kennedy's health issues are also a factor during this time.

31:58 Despite his poor performance in Vienna and his initial lack of action in response to the Berlin Wall, Kennedy's handling of the Cuban Missile Crisis is seen as fairly good, as he convenes a committee and weighs all the options before taking action.

36:13 During the Cuban Missile Crisis, Kennedy is cautious and aware of the high stakes, opting for a naval blockade and eventually negotiating a deal with Khrushchev to withdraw missiles from both Cuba and Turkey, ultimately coming out of the crisis looking strong and decisive.

40:42 Kennedy is conscious of the situation in Vietnam and is troubled by the coup and murder of the president of South Vietnam, but it is unclear whether he would have ultimately chosen to withdraw from the conflict.

45:13 Kennedy's approval ratings are high and it is believed that he would have won re-election, but he faces challenges within the Texas Democratic Party and a rift between Senator Ralph Yarborough and Texas Governor John Connolly.

49:49 The hosts discuss upcoming episodes and promotions for other podcasts, including a series on the history of Iran.