Robert McNamara, who was well known as one of Ford Motor Company's 'Whiz Kids', was appointed Secretary of Defense. Rejecting liberal pressure to choose Stevenson as Secretary of State, Kennedy instead turned to Dean Rusk, a restrained former Truman official, to lead the Department of State. Stevenson accepted a non-policy role as the ambassador to the United Nations. In spite of concerns over nepotism, Kennedy's father insisted that Robert F. Kennedy become Attorney General, and the younger Kennedy became the 'assistant president' who advised on all major issues. McNamara and Dillon also emerged as important advisers from the cabinet.
Dean Rusk,
Dean Rusk,