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Intelligence & Humility: JFK on Tape

By Bud White on October 18, 2008 at 10:25 PM in Democratic Party, John F. Kennedy

A new audio tape was released this week of John F. Kennedy at a dinner party with Toni and Ben Bradlee (of Watergate fame), journalist James M. Cannon, and Kennedy’s wife Jacqueline. The conversation was recorded shortly after Kennedy announced that he was running for president. It’s about politics, of course, but it’s also a philosophical conversation on politics as a vocation and raising children.

For all that has been written on Kennedy, he is in many ways a mystery. The first books written after his death, by grieving aides and friends, are often one-dimensional in the way they describe the character of the 35th president.

Although Schlesinger’s A Thousands Days sparkles, the human quality of John F. Kennedy is only hinted at. Ted Sorensen’s Kennedy, published in 1965, was written by a man closer to Kennedy but oddly it was even a more distant portrayal of Kennedy, as if criticism of Kennedy or details of his thinking would undermine the martyred president’s memory.

However worshipful the early biographies were, the attacks on Kennedy are just as one-dimensional. He was a complex man who was intensely private for a public person. He was both flawed and heroic, and a real intellectual who projected a vigorous image in an effort to conceal his poor health. (Audio below the fold)

Kennedy was dedicated to self-improvement. As he makes clear on the audio, his father didn’t think he had the health or personality for politics. Kennedy forced himself to be outgoing.

One of my favorite stories about Kennedy — if I remember correctly — took place shortly after he returned from the war and immediately prior to running for a seat in Congress. He was suffering from malaria, Addison’s disease, and a bad back which had been aggravated when the boat he commanded, PT 109, was split in half by a Japanese destroyer. In order to heal, he went to a clinic in Arizona. While he was there, Kennedy met a prominent labor leader who was also convalescing. In order to be educated on labor issues, Kennedy sent for a box of books on labor issues. This labor leader was shocked to discover that Kennedy would stay up half the night reading so that he could hold an intelligent conversation the following day.

After all the books and rumors, this audio gives the best feeling of his personality I’ve heard or read. He’s intelligent, gracious, and humble. What a concept.

In a recent post on Bobby Kennedy, I asked No Quarter readers about their memories of RFK, and there were some incredibly moving stories. So, with this audio being released, I ask: What are your memories of JFK? Or, if don’t remember him, what do think his memory means to the country?

Please see other No Quarters posts on the 35th president:

Obama and Kennedy: Gut vs. Experience by SusanUnPC

Kennedy Choosing Johnson v Obama Choosing Biden by Bud White

To the Moon by Easton McNeal

JFK, Walter Mitty and Barack Obama by Uppity Woman

Senator, You’re No Jack Kennedy by LisaB

Appeasement at Tehran? by Medusa

jonhinca

JFK: cut taxes, put a pro-lifer on the court, cold warrior. Thumbs up on those policies, not on his private life.

Snickers

I was in 5th grade when JFK was elected. My whole family was caught up in the Camelot dream. For me, it was his innaugural address which called us all to contribute to our country which started me on the road to being a political activist. I was too young to remember many of his policies, but I do know his life and his dream made a difference. As a senior in high school I ended up working on RFK’s campaign and met him. I was shocked at how short and slight of a figure he really was. But what energy. Ted: Although he has been great on some of the issues, is a far cry from either of these men.
Lizzie Struthers

Why is a pro-lifer on the court a good thing? What would he have done if he’d got Marilyn Monroe pregnant? OK so maybe we already know the answer to that question.

And what what WHAT is good about a ‘cold warrior’? You want to explain?

NoBAma

Palin was funny on SNL!!!where is the thread?

athena

I am boycotting SNL
AF catfish

It’s only 8:52pm on the west coast. So she was good?

Sarracuda In So Cal

I am in Caifornia, how did she do, what was the skit about, was she just in the opening skit or is she gonna be doing more stuff??

WasLNbutNoBamaBotsKeepStealingMyName

Sarah was great, but they didn’t let her talk enough…and they didn’t put her on at the same time as Tina Fey. Don’t know if she will be on later in the show.

http://theheraclitanfire.blogspot.com/ craigdp

JFK had the genuine ability to inspire, unlike the current conman aspiring to hold his place.

History was truly changed for the worse when he was murdered, as it will be changed for the worse if this contemptible excuse for a leader is elected.

AF catfish

Obama sounds like a fifth grader using these grand sweeping introductory statements “I stand before you today” without the meaty followup, as if he has no idea what the great speeches he’s modeling his from even meant. It’s as if he’s never read these other speeches and let them sink in.

His Germany speech had none of the confrontation that JFK’s Berlin speech did.

Angel

Catfish, there’s a reason why he says those phrases. There is actually a method to his madness, and it IS madness.

From earlier today,

Obama’s techniques are the height of deception and psychological manipulation, remaining hidden because one must understand the science behind the language patterns in order to spot them. This document examines Obama’s speeches word by word, hand gesture by hand gesture, tone, pauses, body language, and
proves his use of covert hypnosis intended only for licensed therapists on consenting patients. Obama’s mesmerized, cult-like, grade-school-crush-like worship by millions is not because “Obama is the greatest leader of a generation” who simply hasn’t accomplished anything, who magically “inspires” by giving speeches. Obama is committing perhaps the biggest fraud and deception in American history.

http://www.pennypresslv.com/Obama%27s_Use_of_Hidden_Hypnosis_techniques_in_His_Speeches.pdf

For those who can’t conceive how easily Obama duped the masses (including the MSM), check out this video from the PDF document referenced above.
Amazing Conversational Hypnosis

bethtopaz

JFK was a great American, a War Hero and a Patriot!

Felizarte

People who are really intelligent and wise are truly humble because they realize only too well, that in the greater scheme of things, they can only know a very tiny fraction of what there is to discover and know. Therefore, those who are arrogant only betray their lack of knowledge and wisdom.

athena

Great comment.

athena

Tina Fey DOES NOT LIKE Palin…..

OK my husband tivo’d so I will watch later.
NoBAma

She played herself talking with producer and complaining about how Tina Fey portrays her. Alec Baldwin was on too and he played like he thinks Palin is Tina Fey and he is bitching to producer that how come he is allowing Tina to portray that “terrible woman”, while that terrible woman is right next to him. Palin said to Baldwin that Steven is her favorite Baldwin, anyway. She was good.
kgirl1028

“If you can keep your head when
all about you are loosing their’s
and blaming it on you.
If you can trust your self when all men doubt you
Yet find allowence for their doubting too.
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting
Or deal in lies and not deal in lies
Be hated and not give way to hating
A yet not look to good or speak too wise…”

“If you can talk with crowds and not loose your virtue
Walk with kings nor loose the common touch
If foes nor loving friends can hurt you.
If all men count with you but none to much
If you can fill the unforgiving minute with sixty seconds of a distance run
Then yours is the world and all that is in it,
And which is more you will be a man my son.”

Reyard Kipling.

http://medusa2.wordpress.com Medusa

I remember that when he was assassinated, we all felt like the world was coming to an end. I was a young girl and my parents didn’t like JFK, but in those days people were respectful of their president and proud of their country.

I love the photo Bud. A nice read during this completely degenerate election.

http://investigatebarackobama.blogspot.com/ kat in your hat

Thank you Bud. That was interesting. Perfect pic to choose as well.

The terrible cynic in me wonders how long before a “candid” “leaked” tape of Obama will come out…saying something *just perfect* for votes.
WasLNbutNoBamaBotsKeepStealingMyName

It’s quite evident from this tape that JFK had some level of personal humility and did not conceive of himself as The One. Barky could take a few lessons from this great man.

bethtopaz

I have a great book about JFK – called Jack and Jackie.

JFK wanted to be a political writer. When his older brother was killed, his dad looked to him to run for President.

Joe wanted to have one of his sons be the first Irish Catholic President of the U.S.A. and he put a lot of money and influence into the race.

SHV

Maybe in one or two more generations, “we” will get a more true picture of JFK. He will be a much more interesting person than the Teddy White, Jackie picture of him. He was much more physically impaired than is appreciated then or now. I suspect that RFK was at least the co-President and if so history has denied him his full due. The “Vienna meeting” is an example of the damage than can result when a President is “impaired”.

Country First

Will our country survive one or two more generations?

http://www.managedmusic.com/php/BYGIndex.php?page=Listen_To_BYG_Introduction

I wonder if the best may already have passed.

Country First

Click on the “Listen” button on the right-hand side.

athy

Thank you for the link to this excellent piece.
I remember when the news broke out that JFK was assassinated. I was 7 years old. I dont remember the details but I remember my mother sobbing as she listened to the news on the TV and my father shaking his head in disbelief. My parents changed after that-especially my father. He started becoming frightened for our safety and worried as to what was happening to our country. He became more ‘serious’ with his children. He stopped ‘playing’ with us and life took on a more serious role for the children in my family. You could say my dad’s paradigm shifted with regards to how he viewed our society. JFK was such a good man…why on earth would anyone want to kill him. With each murder in the 60′s (including MLK, RFK and others ) my father became more and more frightened. Why were all these good people being killed? I dont think my dad ever got over the 60′s and 70′s.

Me…I was too young to be afraid but I was affected in other ways. These people were too good to die this way so when I got older, I made sure to learn their stories and passed on this information to my children.

I held the kennedy family in high esteem.
That is one reason of several that I am very disappointed in how Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg, Maria Shriver Schwarzenegger, and Ted Kennedy jumped in early and endorsed Sen Obama without telling the voters why they should vote for him. “Follow your heart, He is THE ONE, He reminds me of my dad (JFK) are not good reasons to support ANY candidate for president-let alone Sen Obama.

I was disappointed when I learned the following also…
Guess who wrote many of Obama’s early speeches when he was campaigning for president?

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/story?id=4259093&page=1

Passing the Torch: Kennedy’s Touch on Obama’s Words- Ted Sorensen, Legendary Speechwriter, Lends Support, Eloquence to Democratic Contender
By Susan Donaldson James, 2/8/08 ABC News.
trails

Gosh. It was such a long time ago. I remember my parents driving 2 hours into Chicago to see him at a campaign appearance. Really, I don’t remember much of his presidency, but then there weren’t all that many days of it.

I remember his inaugural address, and, of course, the tragic scenes from Dallas, and the terror of the Cuban missile crisis. I sat at work that afternoon, waiting to learn from the radio, which was being broadcast throughout the office, to see if there would be a tomorrow for us.

Then, later, all the reports of his womanizing came out, and I felt such incredible sadness for Jackie.

But it was all such a long time ago.
Peggy Sue

Oh God, is that a beautiful picture of JFK and Jackie, or what? I was a kid when JFK was President, but every little girl [and probably every mother] wanted to be Jackie Kennedy. My mother and other women dressed like her, talked about her, wondered about her.

My mother’s family were all diehard Dems. My grandmother had a picture of the Pope, the Bleeding Heart of Jesus and JFK on her dining room wall. She idolized the man. As did all my aunts and uncles.

An Irish Catholic. Who would have ever thunk it?

On the other hand, my father was an ardent Republican. But the day JFK was shot and then during the televised funeral, my father cried. It was the first time I’d ever seen that, the first time I realized my father could cry. Something of a mini-revelation.

There was so much we did not know then. It was a dream, the whole Camelot scenario. In retrospect, it was pure fiction, of course.

But while it lasted, it was a wonderful dream. And this picture. My God, they are so young, so beautiful.

A dream, but it quickly turned into a national nightmare, only to be followed with Martin Luther King and Robert Kennedy’s murders.

It was a hell of a decade to grow up in! But the picture? It makes me wince.

bethtopaz

I was ten.
It was a day after my birthday and I had to deliver newspapers after we found out.
It was a cold, gray day in Indiana.
When I got back from my route I sat by my radio and prayed that he would live.
My family were Republicans, but we respected our President.
It was a tragic day for everyone in America that day.
Just like 9/11, everyone who lived through it remembers where he or she was when they found out.

CJ

I was in the second grade when Kennedy ran against Nixon. We lived in Montana and my parents took us to California to visit my great aunt, a self made, classy and sophisticated woman. She was the best. As we sat in her living room and watched the returns on TV, my great aunt said, “isn’t it wonderful that we are going to have an Irish Catholic president?” My parents didn’t say a word. She repeated it and finally my Dad quietly told her that he and my mom had voted for Nixon. My aunt was shocked and although she remained cool, she was ticked. She was a devout Catholic and both her parents were born in Ireland, and the little town in Montana that we all came from was staunch Democrat. She thought my parents had lost their minds. I told her that I had voted for Kennedy, hoping that it would help my parents’ dilemma. From that day forward, I have been a Democrat!

When Kennedy was assinated, I lived in Quantico, VA. It was such a sad day in my life. We were sent home from school. I asked my mom if we could call my great aunt in California. We attended the funeral and I can still remember how stunned the country was. Kennedy had such appeal with the public, and he was a good man.
Mandelay

It was great to hear his voice in such an informal setting. Thanks for posting this. I missed the original broadcast. It’s as if he had stepped into the next room these last 45 years.
kinthenorthwest

I saw him in a small motorcade the day before he wa shot. It will always be a sad memory of mine.
Judy

My grandparents were Ellis Island immigrants and by 1960, my two surviving grandparents were what was then considered to be elderly and were having health problems. My maternal grandfather was still employed, but my paternal grandmother was widowed and living on a small pension with almost nothing in savings. Back then, when you were elderly, you either used your savings to pay for medical care or you went to publicly funded or charitable hospitals for care. Purchasing health insurance was just too expensive for people who were older.

I remember my parents being excited at the prospect of having Kennedy in office because he promised that he would bring us a program called Medicare:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpMNdYhRq90

The idea of not having to worry about how you would pay or having to essentially beg to get medical treatment when you were old was just too wonderful. I remember going to bed that election night in 1960 not knowing who won, but being extremely happy the next morning (mostly because my parents were happy) when they told me that Kennedy had been declared the winner.
K Bentley

Something changed in November 1963. To this day, I can’t quite put it into specific issues.

When Jack Kennedy was campaigning for the presidency, all of us young teenagers were all google-eyed over him and we worshiped Jackie. Jack could do no wrong. He captured the heart of many, but in all honesty half the country was not that enchanted with him. Still, and this is before color TV was in every household, we couldn’t wait to get a glimpse of the two on the campaign trail. I had such a crush on him.

During the Nixon/Kennedy debate, I can remember my dad jumping off the couch doing a “Joe Louis two-punch” in mid-air yelling “You tell ‘em Jack!”

Those that did not support him had a valid stand. He was young and idealistic, but could not deny that he was honorable and a true patriot. After the years of Eisenhower, I guess people were looking for someone like Jack. He won that 1960 election, but by a thin hair. In fact, I think it holds the record to this day.

It’s true, we all called the White House Camelot.
It was Jackie, you know, who really won the hearts of everyone in the world. Where ever she went, it seemed like she could make the flowers bloom. That is the kind of impact she had.

Jack made some serious mistakes, and all of the yelling my dad did at the TV, wasn’t heard by our president. For instance, Russia. Dad’s warning on what those “commies” would do was ignored.

The Cuban Missel Crisis was about as close as we could get to atomic war. And, the way Jack handled it, won my dad’s confidence once again.

I was home from school that day in November. Dad just ended his tour at the fire station and perched himself in his favorite spot on the couch. I had put Bozo’s Circus on for my little sister when it was interrupted with a “Special Broadcast.” Walter Cronkite announce that the president had been shot.

The next day, the Chicago Tribune’s front page had a picture drawn of the Lincoln Memorial. Lincoln was sitting bent over with his face buried in his hands. John Fitzgerald Kennedy was mourned by the entire world. Jackie never faultered.

bethtopaz

Think about who the two biggest enemies of America are: Communists and Radical Muslims.

Who killed JFK and RFK: a Communist, Lee Harvey Oswald, and a Muslim, Sirhan Sirhan.

I think that both of those assassinations, along with MLK, put a great sadness into the American spirit.

Just what our enemies wanted. They have been plotting and planning ever since to takeover our country and now they have their front man with both elements in one: Barack Hussein Obama is a Communist & a Radical Muslim.

Check out these 45 Communist Goals for the takeover of America read into the Congressional Record in 1963 – the year JFK was assassinated:

http://archive.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2003/5/8/133540.shtml

Diane B

President Kennedy, issued an executive order to create a sound money system by issuing silver certificates from the US Treasury not from the Federal Reserve to get us out from under a Centralized Banking System. President Kennedy did this on June 4, 1963.

We all know that only a few short months later he was Assassinated. I often wonder if this was the reason for his demise. No other President has ever tried to do this again.

We as a Nation are still under the control of this monetary system. Look, my fellow Americans what this has gotten us.

Were now broke, and still paying interest to the Federal Reserve Banks. When all we need to do is what Kennedy did. Issue our money its our Constitutional as a Nation.

Kennedy was the last Patriot.

Mary

He also wanted to disband the CIA, due to the political manipulation he thought they had played on him with Cuba and the Bay of Pigs.

He had privately submitted to the Senate Intelligence Committee a suggestion that the CIA’s responsibilities be placed under the Joint Chiefs of Staff (military) to avoid politicizing of intelligence reports.

Several months later, he was dead.
Mary

He also wanted to disband the CIA, due to the political manipulation he thought they had played on him with Cuba and the Bay of Pigs.

He had privately submitted to the Senate Intelligence Committee a suggestion that the CIA’s responsibilities be placed under the Joint Chiefs of Staff (military) to avoid politicizing of intelligence reports.

Several months later, he was dead.

BJinChicago

No, he was not the last patriot. Look around you, Diane, you don’t have to be in politics to be a patriot.
http://ahillarybmccainamericafirst.com/ gerard “Barracuda” Nedich

wow! what a great guy…

and we are stuck with Obama smearing a voter for asking a simple question…

sad times…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hf5CO38Z8Wo

a. hillary
b. mccain

america first!
Diane B

Yes, indeed there are other Patriots I should have said it differently the last Patriot President. It took great courage to buck the system and once again create our own money and not the Federal Reserve.

Who today is bucking the system for us, no they just gave away $700 billion dollars. We the tx payers are paying for the banks bailouts and George Bush’s mess and friend.

He certainly did not create our own money, no quite the opposite.

Bill Clinton weakened our laws making it easier for this group to rob us.

No, Kennedy was a Patriot, and my opinion the last patriot President in many years.
Mr.Murder

A person who was subcontracted for the secret service detail on the Dallas shooting worked with a former coworker of mine.

He’s on stock footage reels for the airport detail in the background of some photo ops.

He was to the back of the motorcade.

He says Kennedy was shot “in a crossfire” and that was why everyone bailed and pointed different directions.

He was never asked about it from the Warren Commission. His coworker put JFK’s head back together on the flight to Bethesda and changed caskets.

Perhaps ball-less, gutless Arlen Specter, the lone Warren Commission survivor, could care to explain why so inadequate an investigation was done. The firm that established SCI employed the above mentioned subcontractors. Their prior web page showed people walking up the steps of what appeared the Lincoln Memorial, ironically(circa 2001).

They were Dubya’s number four career contributor going into 2000, though well behind Enron in total donations and funds.

Follow the Money, or be a soul-less spook.
bert

More memories. I remember JFK well. It was a time of hope. But it was also a time of fear during the Cuban Missile crisis. I was a freshman in high school when I worked on JFK’s campaign, a junior during the missile crisis, and a senior when JFK was assassinated.

JFK’s all too brief administration was also fun. He had a tremendous wit. His press conferences were always a delight because of JFK’s sense of humor. His press conferences were also filled with great insight and knowledge of history. JFK could quote Shakespeare or Greek poets. He had such knowledge. Obama could never do what JFK. And I don’t think teleprompters had been invented yet. JFK talked without a teleprompter.

Comedians joked about his strong Boston accent and the family. There was even a hit LP album, The First Family with Vaughn Meader impersonating JFK. It was a huge hit; even JFK was reported to like it. I was thinking about that album the other day for some reason, and thought what a difference a generation makes. JFK loved to duel with the press and joked about the album. Obama sends the police after anyone who said anything negative about him. He would probably have Vaughn Meader arrested.

I often wonder what JFK would think of modern day politics.

http://firefox McAnnie Carmel Baracuda

Bert, A few years ago I bought “The First Family” album again. It is still funny. You’re right JFK did go along with the joke. I think in one press conference when asked about it, he joked that he thought it sounded more like Bobby (or was it Teddy?) than him. The whole family was parodied and rose to the occasion. How can anyone compare Obama’s lack of class to JFK? It’s silly.

http://firefox McAnnie Carmel Baracuda

I always love it when PBS replays the special of all his press conferences. It highlights his humor and intelligence.

It’s true we all dressed like Jackie and we wanted our homes to reflect the sophistication and grace she exemplified. I wore my hair like hers and still have a beautifully made sequin and beaded sleeveless top I had to go out for special dinners in SF. I wore it with a long pencil skirt with a slit to the knee and long white kidd gloves ala Jackie. We all wanted to look older then and I could pass without my fake ID when dressed up. We went to Ernies, The Blue Fox or the Venetian Room at the Fairmont for dinner and dancing. I had a closet full of cocktail dresses; hats, gloves and pumps were worn even for shopping. I learned French cooking. My boyfriend at the time was a Republican lawyer and we had flown to Reno to celebrate my birthday…to see the shows and gamble. I was shocked to learn he was happy that JFK was gone. I hadn’t been very interested in politics per se but it was illuminating to say the least that he was so hard. It was the first sign that we would go our separate ways. When I returned home, it seemed we didn’t leave the TV for the next 3 days. My family were all protestant Democrats and we loved the Kennedy family. I remember we cried for days as though he had been our family member.

Life did change after that. It truly was like our innocence was gone. Poor LBJ and Lady Bird. What a tough act to follow. Knowing what we do today about them, I wish we hadn’t been so hard on the family. It was that damn war. We didn’t know then how it had gotten so out of control. By the time Bobby ran I was more knowledgeable about politics and jumped on the bandwagon as soon as he announced. After Dr. King and then Bobby it felt futile to be involved in main stream anything. Even though I dropped out for a long time, I never stopped loving the USA. And today, more than ever.

It’s very difficult to accept the remaining Kennedy family going out of their way for Obama. And Michelle like Jackie? The biggest joke of all. Maybe she should try to develop some grace herself and be able to be proud of who she could become rather than a second rate copy.
Bud White

Thanks for sharing all these wonderful reflections on JFK.
Mr.Murder

JFK attended Parliament during the time his father was the Amb.to England during the rise to power of fascism in postwar Europe.

Almost of the eve of WWII. That experience made him much tougher in debate, and he elevated the vocabulary of politics while showing no quarter, he witnessed the failure of appeasement but learned at the same time that certain interests drove policy.

He had apt ways of welding together competing themes. The history and literature he studied, the philosophers, rhetoric, all were developed from the kind of vast, epic frames of reference from which he shaped the narrative of the Cold War and world development through visionary policy such as the Peace Corps.

Fight darkness with light, transparency illuminates the body politic. Speak to the higher purpose of humanity and the people will share in this agreement, in government and society. The basis of our social contract differs none from the tenets of our Constitution, thus we can advance the conversation of the world community and likewise gain from others, in expanding our own recognition of stated rights and implied liberties.

He spoke too much the Truth to Power and paid the ultimate price.
JKIR

I was home sick with the chicken pox in 6th grade when JFK was assassinated. We didn’t get many tv channels and all that was on the few that we got was about Kennedy, the assassination and the funeral. I just think of it as one of the saddest times of my childhood. Jackie was the most elegant and gracious person I have ever seen. JFK was an original who had his own unique ideas. I get kinda upset that people compare Obama to JFK because so far, I haven’t noticed a single original idea by Obama. JFK managed to swim miles to save a fellow crewmate, even though his back was injured. In his high school yearbook it said, “most likely to become President.” I would think Obama’s would have said something more like, “most likely to be in rehab.”