America's 250: American optimism isn't naive. It just needs to be honest
“The American, by nature,” John F. Kennedy said, “is optimistic.” Never truer words were spoken. Though Left and Right often lament how this optimism affects our vision and action, the public has made good on it many times. Yet it needs to be a realistic vision.
TL;DR
- John F. Kennedy noted that Americans are inherently optimistic.
- American politicians often leverage this optimism to win elections.
- Examples include FDR's "Happy Days Are Here Again," Reagan's "It's Morning Again in America," Trump's "New American Golden Age," and Obama's "Yes, We Can!"
- Candidates who appear less optimistic, like Jimmy Carter, tend to face electoral difficulties.
- American optimism requires a realistic vision to be effective.