President Kennedy invaded hostile political territory last week—and didn't care one bit for the reception he got. In generally Republican Ohio, some 12,000 persons gathered in Cincinnati's Fountain and Government squares to hear him. But there were remarkably few of the cheers and admiring squeals to which the President has grown accustomed. Indeed, as Kennedy was introduced there were scattered boos.
Smack in front of his trailer platform, bold signs challenged him. "How long. Mr. Kennedy, how long?" asked one. "Less profile, more courage, blockade Cuba." read another. "O.K., we licked Mississippi, now how about Cuba?"
Yes or No? Pointing at the signs, Kennedy tossed aside his text, scowled angrily, and declared in a voice made husky by a cold: "Those who believe in a strong country must recognize that it is here at home we first must be strong. We have increased our Army from eleven to 16 divisions in the last 20 months. This last Administration ignored Latin America for eight years, and we paid the price. This Administration, in the Alliance for Progress and in the OAS, has worked to make it possible for democratic institutions to flourish in Latin America, which is far more important than all the speeches and all the signs.''
Kennedy turned back to his main political pitch, a theme that he hopes will help re-elect such hard-pressed Democratic candidates as Ohio's Governor Michael Di Salle. "The Republicans have made the word no a political program,'' he cried. He banged the rostrum with his fist. "I believe in the word yes."
Earlier, on arrival at the Greater Cincinnati Airport, across the Ohio River in Kentucky, Kennedy blamed the shortcomings of the expiring 87th Congress on the Republicans. "I have spent the last two years on issue after issue affecting the welfare of the people of Kentucky and the welfare of the people of this country, and seen us win issue after issue by three or four votes, or seen us lose issue after issue by one or two votes in the House or the Senate. Eighty percent of the Republicans in the House voted against a minimum wage of $1.25 an hour. I can tell you what we stand for, but I challenge anyone to tell us what the Republican Party stands for in 1962."
Warmth in the North. From chilly Ohio. Kennedy happily moved north into the much warmer political climate of Michigan, where some 100,000 persons lined the streets to welcome him. There, and in Minnesota, where he wound up his three-day tour, the leapers and shriekers were back, and his charges of Republican obstructionism inspired great applause.
In Detroit. Flint and Muskegon, Kennedy seemed to enjoy battling for the underdog Democratic Governor John Swainson against Republican George Romney. Scorning Romney's attempts to lure Democratic votes. Kennedy drew cheers with the quip: "One of the most interesting political phenomena of our time is to see Republican candidates in various states who run for office and say 'elect the man.' You can't find the word Republican on their literature—and I don't blame them." A different kind of sign greeted Kennedy in Detroit. Said one: "Congratulations J.F.K. on Mississippi Stand."