John F. Kennedy was a conservative. We have a hard time perceiving that today; but it is why Ayn Rand referred to the "fascist" New Frontier. When the Civil Rights movement was in high gear, Kennedy had to have it explained to him. He had no essential understanding of the Negro cause. As the son of an ambassador, his solution was that these people (marchers and sheriffs) should just sit down and talk out their differences. (It is in the Manchester biography.) Kennedy, of course, founded the Green Berets. Although it is suggested that the CIA was complicit or active in his assassination, he did, indeed empower them. Kennedy stood up to the Russians in Europe and he nailed the issue with his speech "Lass' sie nach Berlin kommen" - let them come to Berlin to see the difference if they think that communism has anything to offer.

As everyone knows, he also was a veteran. Unlike Richard Nixon and Lyndon Baines Johnson and many others whose connections brought them safe jobs, he sought combat.

You do not need to endorse his politics to admire the man in his time and place.