1968 was a year of presidential elections in the USA. Robert F. Kennedy was a candidate from Democratic Party, and he started his campaign on March 16, 1968. Two articles chosen portray the process of how presidential campaign of Robert F. Kennedy was implemented within a two-week period and what strategies were used.
Both articles are taken from New York Times magazine. The time period of two distinct articles refer to 17th of March 1968, written by Richard Witkin and 30th of March 1968 by John Herbers. Richard Witkin was a reporter for the New York Times, and his major field was aviation and space technology. However, he worked as a chief political reporter from 1965 to 1968. He has won many journalism awards, alongside with Pulitzer Prize in 1987. John Herbers began working at New York Times in 1963 and his specification was presidential campaigns, Congress, social affairs and everything related to political life of America. In 1975 he was given a position of assistant of New York Times’ national editor, and he also won many journalism awards.
Looking at the above-mentioned experiences of both journalists, it can be concluded that article written by Witkin was a good journalist with completely different specialization, whereas Herbers started his career as political reporter. Herbers reveals a doubt, that despite efforts of Kennedy, there is no assurance that he can win the election. He expressed negative critique at Kennedy’s strategy, which was largely sudden and required more preparation. Further he states weak points of Kennedy, such as finding common language with businessmen and older people, which are problematic for all democrats, in general. On the contrary, Witkin writes about broad support that Kennedy receives comparing to Lyndon Johnson. The fact for the broad support he used was the 90% of 10000 mails received expressed support for Kennedy. In addition, he writes that there is increasing number of volunteers, who would like to work in the campaign.
Herbers interviewed aides of Kennedy’s presidential campaign for his report. Witkin included not only aides, but important decision-makers in Kennedy’s campaign and close people.
It is hard to say that authors expressed concern over economic or social issues, as both of them wrote about political procedures of presidential campaign, such as media-advertising and family supported structure of campaign. Nevertheless, Herbers mentioned people’s reaction on Kennedy’s certain positions in presidential program, such as increasing welfare through producing of job places, stopping foreign involvement in Vietnam and diplomatic approach to foreign policy. Also he mentioned targeted audience of Kennedy, who consisted mainly of minority groups.
Works Cited
Herbers, John. “Kennedy message reaches millions.” New York Times 30 Mar. 1968: -. Print.
Witkin, Richard. “Kennedy's family expected to help in campaign.” New York Times 17 Mar. 1968: -. Print.
