The New Frontier
After years of satirizing the Eisenhower administration, Mort Sahl wrote jokes for Senator John F. Kennedy’s (1917–1963)1960 presidential campaign, when the candidate’s father requested his assistance. During the Democratic National Convention, however, Sahl announced, “It is not my ambition to become court jester to the Democratic candidates for President.” Sahl satirized the Kennedy administration pointedly, to the displeasure of Kennedy’s father and White House officials, who, Sahl claimed, pressured club owners not to hire him.
After years of satirizing the Eisenhower administration, Mort Sahl wrote jokes for Senator John F. Kennedy’s (1917–1963) 1960 presidential campaign, when the candidate’s father requested his assistance. During the Democratic National Convention, however, Sahl announced, “It is not my ambition to become court jester to the Democratic candidates for President.” Sahl satirized the Kennedy administration pointedly, to the displeasure of Kennedy’s father and White House officials, who, Sahl claimed, pressured club owners not to hire him.