History Speaks: The Wit and Wisdom of JFK

While President Kennedy is well-known for his political feats, less is known of his wit and wisdom, both of which contributed to his campaign style throughout the 1960 Wisconsin primary. The campaign was filled with folly, from mistaken identity to stand-up jokes, car trouble to Jackie Kennedy posing with hams. Wisconsin provided Kennedy with ample opportunities to turn mishaps into humor, and in doing so, he found the wisdom of laughing at oneself and winning over Wisconsin voters in the process. Learn of Kennedy's comedic style, and how he harnessed humor for political power.
B.J. Hollars is the author of several books, including the award-winning Wisconsin for Kennedy: The Primary That Launched a President and Changed The Course of History, and the forthcoming Becoming Bobby Kennedy: The Transformative Life of an American Icon (2026). Hollars is the recipient of an Upper Midwest Emmy® award, the Truman Capote Prize for Literary Nonfiction, the Anne B. and James B. McMillan Prize, the Council of Wisconsin Writers' Blei-Derleth Award, the Society of Midland Authors Award, and both the Midwest Book Awards Gold and Silver medals. His work has been featured on C-SPAN, Lit Hub, Washington Post, Star-Tribune, The Millions, and Wisconsin Life. He is a professor of English at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, and a columnist for The Leader-Telegram.