The challenge to the New Frontier was clear: If Republican Teddy Roosevelt could enforce physical fitness upon his staff, then why shouldn't Democrat Jack Kennedy do the same with McGeorge and Artie and even portly Pierre?
Kennedy's competitive instincts were aroused by an old T.R. order requiring that all Marine Corps company officers be able to march 50 miles in 20 hours, double-timing the last 700 yds. Marine Commandant David M. Shoup, a physical-fitness bug, had dug the order out of the corps files, sent it on to Kennedy as a curiosity. Replying to Shoup, History Buff Kennedy noted: "President Roosevelt...
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