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Former President John F. Kennedy came to know this state well when he spent weeks campaigning here prior to the 1960 primary election. Kennedy won the West Virginia Democratic primary, which helped propel him to the presidency.
Kennedy returned to ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä on June 20, 1963, to participate in the celebration of the state’s centennial. On that rainy day in front of a huge crowd, Kennedy famously said, “The sun does not always shine in West Virginia, but the people always do.â€
During his time traversing the hills and hollows of our state, Kennedy witnessed firsthand the poverty, but also the deep sense of pride and generosity of spirit that are integral to who we are as Mountaineers.
I was thinking about that this week, after Kennedy’s nephew, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., appeared with Gov. Patrick Morrisey in Martinsburg. The event was to promote the new state law banning certain food dyes and to promote overall healthy lifestyles.
However, RFK Jr. seemed to think he was doing a stand-up comedy routine when he began the event with crude jokes about our governor.
“The first time I saw him, I said, ‘You look like you ate Governor Morrisey,’†Kennedy said as Morrisey stood by. “I’m going to put him on a really rigorous regimen, we’re gonna put him on a carnivore diet.â€
For good measure — and no doubt additional embarrassment for Morrisey — RFK Jr. said to the crowd, “Raise your hand if you want Governor Morrisey to do a public weigh-in once a month. I’m going to come back to the state and do a celebration and a public weigh-in with him.â€
Morrisey appeared to take it all in stride, but what other option did he have? Kennedy’s comments were rude, insensitive and inappropriate for the country’s secretary of Health and Human Services.
According to the 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, the obesity rate in West Virginia is 41%, the highest in the United States. Yes, we have an obesity problem, and many of us need to eat better and get more exercise, but weight-shaming, especially by the top health officer in the country, is no way to address it.
When Kennedy insults the governor, he’s also insulting many regular West Virginians. To the governor’s credit, Morrisey has said he’ll be participating in the Mountaineer Mile challenge to walk at least a mile a day.
During his visit, RFK Jr. also invoked the historic bond between the Kennedys and West Virginia. He would be wise to remember the generous words of his uncle, who clearly had a deeper understanding of what it means to be a West Virginian. The leader of the Make America Healthy Again movement should try to inspire, not insult.
Kennedy needs to offer more carrot and less schtick.
Hoppy Kercheval is the retired host of “Talkline,†on MetroNews.
