A Super Bowl advertisement promoting the presidential campaign of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — a remake of a 1960 spot that helped put his uncle John F. Kennedy in the White House — has struck a nerve with Kennedy family members and friends, who worry that it exploits and potentially tarnishes the legacy of a storied political family.
The 30-second advertisement is built on the foundation of one of the most famous political ads in American history, still memorable to many in politics 63 years after it was first shown.
That historic ad presents John F. Kennedy — than a senator from Massachusetts — as a young, vibrant and experienced challenger to Richard M. Nixon, the Republican vice president under Dwight D. Eisenhower.
The slightly altered version of the original ad superimposes pictures of Robert Kennedy Jr. over John F. Kennedy’s image and keeps the jaunty jingle — Kennedy, Kennedy, Kennedy — that remains burned in some people’s memories to this day.
In the process, it repurposes an advertisement created for John F. Kennedy into one for his 70-year-old nephew, an appropriation of a legacy that many Democrats have long argued Robert Kennedy should not be able to claim.
Persons:
Robert F, Kennedy Jr, John F, Kennedy, —, Kennedy —, Richard M, Nixon, Dwight D, Eisenhower, Robert Kennedy Jr, — Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, Raymond Buckley
Organizations:
Massachusetts —, Republican, New Hampshire Democratic Party, Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
Locations:
Massachusetts, Boston