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What You Can Do For Your Country: Kefauver on Responsible Citizenship
At the height of his fame from the organized crime hearings, Kefauver gave a speech laying out a rigorous vision of active citizenship. Was America up to the challenge? Are we still?
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Reds vs. Rights: The Great Cold War Debate
Espionage trials, loyalty oaths, and textbook investigations were common during the early years of the Cold War. Supporters claimed they were needed to combat the Red menace… but what about our Constitutional rights? In 1949, Kefauver stood up for the First Amendment against a prominent anti-Communist Senator in a nationally broadcast discussion.
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Stay on TASK: The Rise of Teens in Politics
Despite what you may have seen in the movies, teenagers in the Fifties cared about more than hot rods and school dances. In 1956, teens started to find their political voice… and campaigns started enlisting their help.
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Kefauver and the Korea Ammo Hearings, Part 3: Inconclusive Conclusions
The subcommittee’s hearings into the Korean ammo shortage produced a mass of conflicting testimony. The majority decided to pretend otherwise. But Kefauver wouldn’t let them.
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Kefauver and the Korea Ammo Hearings, Part 2: The Fog of War
When the Republican Congress began investigating the alleged ammo shortage in Korea, they found that the story was more complicated than they hoped. But their toughest adversary may have been their own President.
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Kefauver and the Korea Ammo Hearings, Part 1: Ready, Fire, Aim!
After Eisenhower took office, the GOP was eager for a way to blame the Korean War on Truman and the Democrats. Allegations of an ammo shortage gave them an opportunity… but things proved more complicated than they hoped.
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To Run or Not to Run: Kefauver’s Candid Campaign Thoughts
Kefauver’s 1956 Presidential run seemed like a sure thing. But did he come close to sitting it out? He shared his honest thoughts on the challenges of campaigning with a pair of national political columnists.
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Welcome to the Revolution: Kefauver Speaks to Youth
Why was Kefauver so popular with young people? Because he treated them with respect and dignity… and he encouraged them to embrace controversial ideas, even when they disagreed with their elders.
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Give Me A Break: The History of A Campaign Slogan
During his 1956 run for President, Kefauver campaigned on giving Americans an “even break.” Was it just a slogan… or a metaphor for his whole campaign?
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Sing Along With Keef Addendum: “Estes”
Although Hank Fort leveraged her Kefauver campaign song to launch herself to fame, she stayed loyal to her home state… and her favorite Senator.
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Estes Kefauver for President 