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JFK on the Campaign Trail, 1960: Photos of a President in the Making

2 minute read

In stark, revealing contrast to the glamorous, effortless Kennedy of popular myth, John F. Kennedy on the stump was a tough, savvy campaigner. Well aware that much of the country distrusted almost everything about him — his Massachusetts-liberal politics, his Boston accent, his Roman Catholicism — like any good politician he set about winning over skeptics by employing the very gifts that generated such suspicion in those who knew little about him. He charmed. He cajoled. At times (in back-room negotiations with other pols) he browbeat and he bullied.

[Buy the LIFE book, The Day Kennedy Died.]

And on November 8, 1960, John Kennedy was elected president of the United States, defeating Richard Nixon in one of the closest national elections of the 20th century. At 43, Kennedy was (and remains) the youngest person elected to the office, and it was largely this quality in the man and his family — an engaging, youthful dynamism — that so captured the imagination of millions across the country and, ultimately, across the world.

As Kennedy and his team ran a heady, propulsive campaign unlike any America had seen, LIFE’s best photographers (Paul Schutzer, Alfred Eisenstaedt, George Silk and others) were there, chronicling the grind of never-ending public appearances and the quieter moments JFK spent with advisers, with Jackie and — rarest of all — alone, with his own thoughts.

Here, LIFE.com presents photos — none of which ran in LIFE magazine — chronicling an enigmatic, intensely ambitious man making history.

John F. Kennedy discusses strategy during his presidential campaign, 1960.
Not published in LIFE. John F. Kennedy discusses strategy during his presidential campaign, 1960. Paul Schutzer—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Scene from John F. Kennedy's 1960 presidential campaign.
Not published in LIFE. Scene from John F. Kennedy's 1960 presidential campaign.Hank Walker—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Scene in West Virginia from John F. Kennedy's 1960 presidential campaign.
Not published in LIFE. Scene in West Virginia from John F. Kennedy's 1960 presidential campaign.Hank Walker—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Not published in LIFE. Scene from John F. Kennedy's 1960 presidential campaign.Paul Schutzer—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
John F. Kennedy and Jackie Kennedy, 1960.
Not published in LIFE. John F. Kennedy and Jackie Kennedy, 1960.Paul Schutzer—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Scene in West Virginia from John F. Kennedy's 1960 presidential campaign.
Not published in LIFE. Scene in West Virginia from John F. Kennedy's 1960 presidential campaign.Hank Walker—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Scene from John F. Kennedy's 1960 presidential campaign.
Not published in LIFE. Scene from John F. Kennedy's 1960 presidential campaign.Paul Schutzer—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
A JFK and LBJ supporter in Mount Clemens, Michigan, October 1960.
Not published in LIFE. A JFK and LBJ supporter in Mount Clemens, Michigan, October 1960.Paul Schutzer—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
John F. Kennedy and unidentified boy, 1960.
Not published in LIFE. John F. Kennedy and unidentified boy, 1960.Paul Schutzer—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
John F. Kennedy in Grand Prairie, Texas, September, 1960.
Not published in LIFE. John F. Kennedy in Grand Prairie, Texas, September, 1960. Paul Schutzer—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
John F. Kennedy campaign, 1960
Not published in LIFE. John F. Kennedy campaign, 1960.Walter Sanders—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
John F. Kennedy campaign, 1960
Not published in LIFE. John F. Kennedy campaign, 1960Paul Schutzer—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
John F. Kennedy campaign, 1960
Not published in LIFE. John F. Kennedy campaign, 1960Paul Schutzer—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
John F. Kennedy campaign, 1960
Not published in LIFE. John F. Kennedy campaign, 1960Paul Schutzer—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Richard Nixon, telephone booth, 1960.
Not published in LIFE. Richard Nixon, telephone booth, 1960.Paul Schutzer—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
John F. Kennedy campaign, 1960
Not published in LIFE. John F. Kennedy campaign, 1960Paul Schutzer—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
John F. Kennedy campaign, Texas, 1960.
Not published in LIFE. John F. Kennedy campaign, Texas, 1960.Paul Schutzer—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
John F. Kennedy braves an autumn chill while campaigning in an open car at night in Illinois, 1960.
Not published in LIFE. John F. Kennedy braves an autumn chill while campaigning in an open car at night in Illinois, 1960.Paul Schutzer—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Jackie Kennedy, 1960.
Not published in LIFE. Jackie Kennedy, 1960.Alfred Eisenstaedt—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
John and Jackie Kennedy, Massachusetts, 1960.
Not published in LIFE. John and Jackie Kennedy, Massachusetts, 1960.Paul Schutzer—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
John F. Kennedy during his campaign for president, 1960.
Not published in LIFE. John F. Kennedy during his campaign for president, 1960.Paul Schutzer—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
On a drive through Illinois, Paul Schutzer turns his camera on his colleagues in the press, 1960.
Not published in LIFE. On a drive through Illinois, Paul Schutzer turns his camera on his colleagues in the press, 1960. Paul Schutzer—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
John F. Kennedy on the stump, October, 1960.
Not published in LIFE. John F. Kennedy on the stump, October, 1960. Paul Schutzer—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
John F. Kennedy gazes out on New York Harbor from a ferry, October 1960.
Not published in LIFE. John F. Kennedy gazes out on New York Harbor from a ferry, October 1960.Paul Schutzer—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
John F. Kennedy, 1960.
Not published in LIFE. John F. Kennedy, 1960.Stan Wayman—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
John F. Kennedy campaign, 1960
Not published in LIFE. John F. Kennedy campaign, 1960.Paul Schutzer—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
John F. Kennedy campaign, 1960.
Not published in LIFE. John F. Kennedy campaign, 1960.Walter Sanders—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
The day after an election in which he bested Nixon by a miniscule 113,000 votes out of more than 68 million ballots cast, president-elect Kennedy gave a brief victory speech at the Hyannis Armory, Nov. 1960.
Not published in LIFE. The day after an election in which he bested Nixon by a miniscule 113,000 votes out of more than 68 million ballots cast, president-elect Kennedy gave a brief victory speech at the Hyannis Armory, Nov. 1960.George Silk—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images

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