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New York, 1:20 PM
Mon Dec 7
26 posts in the last 24 hours
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07/26/09
Despite her tabloid fame (and secret enjoyment of it), sex seems to be the last thing ever on Jackie's mind. If she drew close to Bobby, it was because the entire nation demanded family continuity with the Kennedys. She'd had a pretty tenuous and mercenary connection with the family to begin with. While I believe Jackie did grow fond of JFK after many bumps in the road, Jackie exulted in being First Lady.
I disbelieve rumors of an affair with RFK sheerly because he was such an unattractive wee bantam of a man. He wasn't Jackie's type at all. But after JFK's murder, I can see them drawing close- but as family. It must be the most underrated and underexplored trope of life and literature, the (non-sexual) bond that a man can have with his brother's wife. And heightened to the extent of the Kennedy dramas of those years- well yes, I can see a bond forming. They'd already been through a lot together, Bobby and Jackie were canny allies. They weren't fools. They probably talked and coordinated the aftermath of JFK's hundreds of infidelities.
I think they had a bond there, they were friends. Imagining a romance in a tabloid way, - well people will do that. But Bobby was such a boring grind, Jackie eager to flee to her new life- I don't think it's likely. They had deep and fond affection for each other, as inlaws can. And when Bobby was killed, Jackie fled to Onassis for protection. She realized what a dangerous family she was linked to. What a sick deja vù Bobby's murder must have been.
07/26/09
07/27/09
07/27/09