Tag: Hubert Humphrey

July 25, 1960: Governor Underwood Addresses the Republican National Convention

On July 25, 1960, Governor Cecil Underwood addressed the Republican National Convention in Chicago. The 37-year-old Underwood backed Republican presidential candidate Richard Nixon and disparaged Nixon’s Democratic opponent, John F. Kennedy.

Less than three months after the 1960 Democratic primary in West Virginia, Underwood implied that Kennedy had beaten his opponent, Hubert Humphrey, by essentially buying votes. The money Kennedy spent in West Virginia has always been a controversial part of the story. For his part, Humphrey also felt that the wealthy Kennedy family had bought the Mountain State for JFK.

A few months later, Nixon lost the 1960 general election to Kennedy in a close contest where money once again played a major role.Underwood was also campaigning for himself in 1960. Prohibited by the state constitution for running for a second term as governor, Underwood lost to incumbent Democratic Senator Jennings Randolph in the November general election race for the U.S. Senate. It was Underwood’s first ever political loss. He wouldn’t be elected again to public office for 36 years, winning the governorship for a second time in 1996—on his 74th birthday.

May 10, 1960: Kennedy Wins the West Virginia Primary

On May 10, 1960, John F. Kennedy defeated Hubert Humphrey in the most important presidential primary ever held in West Virginia. Kennedy, a Catholic, had won the Wisconsin Democratic primary a month earlier. However, some attributed his success to Wisconsin’s relatively large percentage of Catholics.

 West Virginia was an overwhelmingly Protestant state, and there were doubts whether JFK could win here. And if he couldn’t win enough Protestant votes in a Democratic primary, there were serious doubts he could win enough support to beat Republican Richard Nixon in the general election.

The West Virginia primary was hard-fought on the airwaves and on the ground. Kennedy, Humphrey, and their supporters campaigned for months. Kennedy-family money poured into West Virginia in record amounts. Foreshadowing today’s expensive media campaigns, the underfunded Humphrey later compared his challenge against JFK to “an independent merchant running against a chain store.”

Kennedy won the West Virginia primary by more than 20 points, and Humphrey dropped out of the race. Kennedy went on to win the Democratic nomination and carry West Virginia in the general election. He always credited the Mountain State for making him president.

May 10, 1960: Kennedy Wins the West Virginia Primary

On May 10, 1960, John F. Kennedy defeated Hubert Humphrey in the most important presidential primary ever held in West Virginia. Kennedy, a Catholic, had won the Wisconsin Democratic primary a month earlier. However, some attributed his success to Wisconsin’s relatively large percentage of Catholics.

 West Virginia was an overwhelmingly Protestant state, and there were doubts whether JFK could win here. And if he couldn’t win enough Protestant votes in a Democratic primary, there were serious doubts he could win enough support to beat Republican Richard Nixon in the general election.

The West Virginia primary was hard-fought on the airwaves and on the ground. Kennedy, Humphrey, and their supporters campaigned for months. Kennedy-family money poured into West Virginia in record amounts. Foreshadowing today’s expensive media campaigns, the underfunded Humphrey later compared his challenge against JFK to “an independent merchant running against a chain store.”

Kennedy won the West Virginia primary by more than 20 points, and Humphrey dropped out of the race. Kennedy went on to win the Democratic nomination and carry West Virginia in the general election. He always credited the Mountain State for making him president.

Humphrey-Kennedy Debate Featured at W.Va. Wesleyan College

The West Virginia Humanities Council will host a special event at West Virginia Wesleyan tonight showcasing the 1960 West Virginia presidential primary between John F. Kennedy and Hubert Humphrey.  This was only the second time in American history that a debate involving presidential politics was televised.

The debate was part of a three-week campaign that Kennedy waged in West Virginia during the spring of 1960.  He acknowledged that the primary victory secured his presidential nomination, and many historians agree, citing this debate as one of the most important presidential primaries in history.

The debate tape was stored in Kennedy’s library, but it was not in good condition.  Dr. Robert Rupp, professor of history and political science, secured a grant from the West Virginia Humanities Council and additional funding to restore the historic tape.  Dr. Rupp will also give commentary on the importance of this debate and what viewers should look for in the presidential debates in race for the 2016 nominations.

The Kennedy-Humphries debate program begins at 7:00 on West Virginia Wesleyan’s campus.

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