Talk:Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr.

RJJ, we're just not having it, equating left wing, liberal anti-Semites and anti-communists as "conservatives." Rob Smith 12:26, 28 August 2009 (EDT)

1. Joe was NOT liberal; 2) he was right wing; 3) he did use anti-semitic language; 4) he was a major supporter of many conservative causes. He represented the conservative, Catholic, pro-business, anti-union, anti-Communist wing of the Democratic party. Is there anyone who thinks he was a liberal or left-wing? RJJensen 13:11, 28 August 2009 (EDT)

Show me sources, and Jack, Bobby, or Ted, maybe FDR too, would be the best. Rob Smith 13:15, 28 August 2009 (EDT)

Doris Kearns Goodwin, The Fitzgeralds and the Kennedys: An American Saga (1987) is a good place top start. What details bother you? RJJensen 13:17, 28 August 2009 (EDT)

The noted liberal apologist, Doris Kearns Goodwin? For most conservatives, she is little better than a troll. It is astounding anyone conservative would consider her a reliable source! What's next, Maureen Dowd? --ṬK_/Admin^/Talk 14:14, 28 August 2009 (EDT)

My own views are based on reading his private letters, which have been published. But what about Joe Kennedy makes people think he was a liberal, that's the mystery! I think they assume that since the Kennedy brothers have been liberal for 40+ years it must have been true for Joe, but not so. Bobby Kennedy in the 1950s for example was close to Joe McCarthy (who was godfather to one of Bobby's kids--for Catholics, that's pretty close). I've listed the major issues of the day on every one of which Kennedy took the conservative position--economics, social issues, foreign policy, Communism, labor unions, taxes, religion. He funded conservative causes and was vehemently denounced by liberals as a conservative. RJJensen 14:24, 28 August 2009 (EDT)