"...but I recall a thread where you went on about how overrated Kennedy was. You had I think a website with materials showing his various failings."

Kennedy was overrated. He was given favorable press, some this was due to his "talent" with press, some because the times he was in, probably most due to family connection and general bias of MSM.
Now, the fact that he died in office, gives him a certain amount of deserved sympathy- but nevertheless he was less than 1 term president, and in that relatively short period of time got us into a lot trouble. His lack of experience, had some bad consequences, it had some good aspects, but considering the world stage at that time, mostly bad. He should not have been elected, he should have had more experience before getting the job of president.
Fifty year from now, no one will consider he was anywhere close to being great President, though today some still think he was. But the Democratic party at the time probably could chosen a different candiate who would have won and had same agenda: tough on Communism, a focus on the space program, though probably not focus on The Mob:)