John Kennedy may have been President of the United States but to many Australians he was 'our president too'. This article uses condolence material to interpret the response of Australians to the Kennedy assassination as part of the popular culture of the Australian-American relationship. Kennedy was mourned as a personal friend, a supporter of conservative domestic values, a successful Catholic role model, the spokesman for youth and a cold warrior who advocated peace. His influence may even have extended to the federal election of 30 November 1963.