Reagan-RFK 1967

Big-picture allies.

By Paul Kengor
National Review Online

Thanks to a significantly stupid gaffe by Hillary Clinton, the June 5, 1968, assassination of Robert F. Kennedy made the newscycle a little earlier than expected. I say “earlier than expected” because today the press will pause to remember the event’s 40th anniversary, as RFK was one of the most beloved politicians of his era. Naturally, news sources will try to find unique angles in their commemorations, mining some nugget from RFK’s life or even the life of his shooter — or perhaps another dumb Hillary remark.

But I doubt the media will acknowledge one perspective, especially given that it was long ago got sucked into a historical vacuum. At first glance might seem odd, but it is actually interesting, notable, and perhaps even moving. I’m referring to the response to the assassination by the then-governor of the state in which RFK was shot, and who went on to become the most beloved political figure of the next era: Ronald Reagan.

The Reagan-RFK relationship has eluded historians, biographers, and even admirers of both men. It was a fascinating one that might be dismissed by liberals who liked RFK but not Reagan and by conservatives who liked Reagan but not RFK — which would be a mistake.