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narrator:
Previously on "Kennedy"...
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- He�d climb one rung
of the ladder.
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Then he�d start looking
to the next one.
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narrator: The presidential
election of 1956
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would be an important
opportunity
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for Kennedy to gain momentum
on his political journey.
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- He spotted a potential
opening for himself,
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so Kennedy thought he could
butter up Adlai Stevenson
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and be chosen
as an ideal running mate.
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- He campaigns vigorously
for Adlai Stevenson.
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narrator: He would soon know
if his efforts had been enough
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to claim the vice presidential
nomination.
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[dramatic music]
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- To lead us
to a fruitful America,
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from the state
of Massachusetts,
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John F. Kennedy.
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narrator: John F. Kennedy
lived a life that would help
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define an entire generation.
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? ?
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- Together we shall
save our planet,
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or together we shall perish
in its flames.
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- What was it about that guy?
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- Looks, style, empathy.
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He was incredibly charming.
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- Intellectual
and progressive.
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- He was the future.
He was next.
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? ?
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narrator: President for just
over a thousand days,
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Kennedy navigated events
and crises
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that changed the world.
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- Kennedy is feeling
the pressure
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from the civil rights
activists.
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- This was a country
on nuclear war footing.
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? ?
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- This could be
the last mistake
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that anybody makes politically.
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? ?
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- He changed us in the process
of his own growth.
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- We choose to go to the moon
in this decade
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and do the other things,
not because they are easy
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but because they are hard.
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? ?
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narrator: 60 years
after his assassination,
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we are still fascinated
by the triumphs and flaws
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of the youngest president
ever elected.
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- I ask you to join us in
all the tomorrows yet to come
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in building America,
moving America,
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picking this country
of ours up,
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and sending it into the �60s.
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? ?
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? ?
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narrator: August 1956.
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? ?
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It was off to Chicago
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for the 1956 Democratic
National Convention.
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- These are taking place
in the televised age
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by the 1950s and �60s.
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And part of what parties
are trying to do
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is tell Americans
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what kinds of issues
do they stand for,
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who are some of our
most exciting figures,
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who are the voices
of the future.
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That�s where Kennedy fits in
in 1956.
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narrator: When Kennedy
arrived, he denied allegations
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that he sought the
vice presidential nomination.
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- Playing games, clearly,
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he was better prepared
than anybody.
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That was really
his first gambit
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was to seize control
of the state
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Democratic apparatus,
which he did.
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narrator: Secretly, his team
had prepared for months,
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working to support Stevenson
and boost Kennedy�s chance
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to be chosen
as his running mate.
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However, Stevenson decided
not to choose at all.
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narrator: Stevenson decided
he would allow
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state delegates
to choose the nominee,
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meaning each vice presidential
candidate would have
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to scramble
for the next 24 hours,
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trying to collect
the most votes.
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? ?
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Kennedy decided
to chase the nomination.
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Rushing to pull
a team together,
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Kennedy, his family members,
Sorensen,
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and the larger Kennedy machine
went into motion.
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It was a frenzied, messy,
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nonstop
political free-for-all.
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- It�s fascinating.
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We�re still in the era
of backroom politics
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with smoky back rooms,
you know?
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This is not an era
as we live in now
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where it�s all decided
before that convention starts.
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I mean, was Keith Arthur
gonna be named,
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or was Kennedy gonna
be named?
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narrator: Kennedy�s team raced
around the convention,
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trying to secure as many
delegates as possible
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to win the vice presidential
nomination.
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The hotel room-
turned-campaign headquarters
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was suddenly
bursting with activity.
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? ?
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Bobby Kennedy took on
a key campaign role,
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attempting to personally
persuade delegates
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to vote for his brother
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and scolding them
if they didn�t.
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During that frantic 24 hours,
Kennedy�s father, Joe,
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called campaign headquarters.
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Bobby answered the phone.
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The room froze
and stared at Bobby,
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observing his alarmed reaction
to what he heard
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on the other end of the line.
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? ?
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Joe was incensed
that his son had decided
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to run for the
vice presidential nomination,
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certain that a defeat
would destroy
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Jack�s political future.
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- You can imagine, you know,
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probably a good bit
of profanity,
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telling him how dumb
they were to do it.
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narrator: Joe insisted
that Kennedy back down.
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Jack refused.
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As the results were tallied,
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Kennedy seemed to be
in the lead.
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- So yeah, I watched it,
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and I�m begging them
to pick John F. Kennedy.
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? ?
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narrator:
Campaign headquarters waited
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in joyful anticipation,
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but suddenly there was
a roadblock.
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The votes began
to swing in favor
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of Tennessee senator
Estes Kefauver.
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Before long, two candidates,
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Senator Hubert Humphrey
of Minnesota
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and Albert Gore of Tennessee,
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receded from the race.
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As the final votes came in,
the Kennedy camp knew
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it was not in his favor.
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? ?
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In the end, Kefauver won the
nomination for vice president.
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- The Democratic Party
will go from this convention
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far stronger for what
we have done here today.
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? ?
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narrator: Kennedy returned
home empty-handed after losing
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the vice presidential
nomination,
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but he had won
a major victory.
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After appearing
on TV numerous times
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and proving himself
a charming, youthful,
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and hardworking presence
at the convention,
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Kennedy had a surge
in popularity.
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- I want to take
this opportunity
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first to express
my appreciation.
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? ?
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- He has used this
to get his name out there.
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He�s used this to make deals,
to make friends,
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to try to add
to his organization.
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? ?
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narrator:
Following Stevenson�s defeat
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and Eisenhower�s reelection,
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the Kennedy family
gathered at Hyannis Port
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for Thanksgiving in 1956.
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Kennedy and his father, Joe,
are huddled in a small study,
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discussing the future.
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After Kennedy�s surge
in popularity
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at the Democratic
National Convention,
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questions arose
about a presidential run.
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Kennedy listed every reason
why he believed
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running for president
was a bad idea.
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His father countered
each point one by one.
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? ?
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The two went back and forth
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until the conversation
reached a stalemate.
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Finally, Kennedy uttered
four words
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that would unwittingly change
the course of his life:
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where do we begin?
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? ?
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- Somebody once asked him,
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why do you want to run
for president?
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And his answer:
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that�s where the action is.
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He wanted to be
where the action was.
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? ?
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narrator: The Kennedy
presidential campaign
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started very early,
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before any other candidate.
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Money could buy
advertisements,
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but time was a luxury
that could not be purchased.
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Ted Sorensen said
one hour of work in 1957
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was the equivalent
to two hours of work in 1958.
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- And in those days,
Kennedy was not traveling
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with a great entourage.
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It was basically Ted,
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who would keep track
of the speeches.
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He would attend
and listen carefully
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to every speech,
what worked, what didn�t,
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what could be more clear.
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They analyzed
the political situation.
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What were the key states?
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And that�s where they started.
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? ?
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narrator: In 1957,
Kennedy participated
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in more than 140
campaign events,
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building momentum
for his presidential run
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as well as his upcoming Senate
reelection race in 1958.
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- The number
of days on the road
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in �57, �58, �59,
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there�s a famous story about
Lyndon Johnson looking up
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one day in the Senate
in �57 or �58
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and saying something like,
where�s Kennedy?
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I never see him around.
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? ?
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narrator: He spent
a great deal of time
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drumming up support from
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and forming relationships
with journalists,
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taking advantage
of each press inquiry.
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- There was a tremendous
amount of exposure
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in the national
mass circulation press,
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"Time" magazine, "Life."
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narrator: Kennedy created
a campaign division
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solely to monitor public
opinion and collect data.
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- They�re writing down
the name and the address
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of every single person
that he�s met,
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putting it on an index card.
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By 1960, they have maybe
10,000 index cards.
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- It gave a personal touch
to it
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so that the audience felt
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recognized and appreciated.
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Eventually, they built a deep
file of political contacts,
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friends and supporters.
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- Nobody had ever campaigned
like that before.
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c]
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narrator: With the 1958 Senate
election swiftly approaching,
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Kennedy�s months of effort
on the campaign trail
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were paying off.
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- The impression that stays
with me is that what started
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as a rather small effort
began to grow
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and to grow and to grow.
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And at first, the audience
might be 100 people.
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Then it was 500.
Then it was 1,000.
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Then it was a full auditorium
and people outside.
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They just got
this positive response
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that encouraged them
to carry on.
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? ?
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00:11:24,017 --> 00:11:27,557
narrator: In 1958, Kennedy
won Senate reelection
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by the largest margin
in Massachusetts history.
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After the victory,
Kennedy knew his sole focus
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had to be
the presidential race.
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Although he had not yet
announced his candidacy,
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00:11:41,784 --> 00:11:44,124
Kennedy secretly campaigned
with an eye
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towards a national audience,
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building towards
the 1960 election.
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? ?
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00:12:04,891 --> 00:12:07,811
narrator: To enhance his image
as a serious politician,
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Kennedy and Sorensen
made it a goal
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to release an assortment
of scholarly articles
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00:12:13,066 --> 00:12:16,146
and pamphlets
expressing Kennedy�s politics,
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00:12:16,277 --> 00:12:18,897
ideas, and observations.
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00:12:18,947 --> 00:12:21,277
In public, Kennedy
spoke about topics
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00:12:21,449 --> 00:12:23,989
like health care,
public school funding,
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00:12:24,118 --> 00:12:26,828
and foreign policy concerns.
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00:12:26,955 --> 00:12:32,255
- He was a mainstream Democrat
who believed in the Cold War.
259
00:12:32,293 --> 00:12:35,633
He believed in
the welfare state at home.
260
00:12:35,672 --> 00:12:39,092
So he was anti-communist
in his foreign policy.
261
00:12:39,133 --> 00:12:43,973
In a very firm way, he was
sort of a Roosevelt disciple
262
00:12:44,097 --> 00:12:47,307
in terms of domestic policy
in this country.
263
00:12:47,433 --> 00:12:50,443
- He�s talking about,
get America moving again
264
00:12:50,478 --> 00:12:54,438
so we can compete
against the Soviet Union.
265
00:12:54,482 --> 00:12:58,652
The Cold War
is what dominates
266
00:12:58,778 --> 00:13:03,278
the 1960 election
almost completely.
267
00:13:03,366 --> 00:13:06,116
- Kennedy developed a way
of looking at America
268
00:13:06,160 --> 00:13:07,700
that was fresh,
269
00:13:07,787 --> 00:13:11,537
that the country
was a little bit stuck,
270
00:13:11,666 --> 00:13:14,376
that it needed a new push,
271
00:13:14,502 --> 00:13:16,632
that it needed some goals
272
00:13:16,671 --> 00:13:20,841
that might excite people
and stimulate effort.
273
00:13:20,967 --> 00:13:22,837
narrator:
To win the presidency,
274
00:13:22,969 --> 00:13:24,849
Kennedy would have to
be nominated
275
00:13:24,971 --> 00:13:28,681
at the Democratic
National Convention in 1960.
276
00:13:28,808 --> 00:13:31,188
To get the nomination,
he would need to persuade
277
00:13:31,227 --> 00:13:35,357
at least 761 delegates
from around the country
278
00:13:35,398 --> 00:13:37,148
to support him.
279
00:13:37,191 --> 00:13:39,651
In the months leading up
to the convention,
280
00:13:39,694 --> 00:13:42,204
Kennedy trekked
across the country,
281
00:13:42,322 --> 00:13:45,872
meeting with state leaders
and influential politicians.
282
00:13:45,992 --> 00:13:47,412
- He was everywhere.
283
00:13:47,535 --> 00:13:50,905
The more people saw of him,
284
00:13:51,039 --> 00:13:53,079
the better he did.
285
00:13:53,207 --> 00:13:56,917
Nobody had ever
worked like that
286
00:13:57,045 --> 00:13:59,055
as a presidential candidate.
287
00:13:59,172 --> 00:14:01,382
? ?
288
00:14:01,424 --> 00:14:04,264
narrator: In 1959,
Joe Kennedy purchased
289
00:14:04,385 --> 00:14:07,005
an American Airlines aircraft,
290
00:14:07,055 --> 00:14:09,105
fitted it
with a new interior,
291
00:14:09,223 --> 00:14:13,233
and donated it to his son�s
presidential campaign.
292
00:14:13,353 --> 00:14:15,563
That plane, called "Caroline,"
293
00:14:15,688 --> 00:14:17,898
was the first private aircraft
ever used
294
00:14:18,024 --> 00:14:19,904
by a presidential candidate.
295
00:14:20,026 --> 00:14:22,026
It was a sizable tribute
296
00:14:22,070 --> 00:14:25,110
to the newest
Kennedy family member.
297
00:14:25,239 --> 00:14:28,909
- I think, of all the things
his father did for him,
298
00:14:28,951 --> 00:14:31,251
having that plane
was a big deal,
299
00:14:31,371 --> 00:14:34,621
because I think it increased
his mobility,
300
00:14:34,707 --> 00:14:36,917
particularly in �59.
301
00:14:36,959 --> 00:14:39,919
narrator: During the campaign,
the airplane logged
302
00:14:39,962 --> 00:14:42,882
more than 100,000 miles.
303
00:14:42,965 --> 00:14:45,545
Ted Sorensen called
the Kennedy campaign
304
00:14:45,593 --> 00:14:49,723
a highly organized army
ready for battle.
305
00:14:49,806 --> 00:14:52,636
? ?
306
00:14:52,767 --> 00:14:55,897
- I am today announcing
my candidacy
307
00:14:55,937 --> 00:14:58,437
for the presidency
of the United States.
308
00:14:58,564 --> 00:14:59,984
- Senator Kennedy,
if you don�t win
309
00:15:00,066 --> 00:15:01,276
the presidential nomination,
310
00:15:01,401 --> 00:15:03,571
will you accept
the vice presidency?
311
00:15:03,611 --> 00:15:05,071
- I shall not,
under any conditions,
312
00:15:05,113 --> 00:15:06,953
be a candidate
for vice president.
313
00:15:06,989 --> 00:15:10,989
If I fail in this endeavor,
I shall return and serve
314
00:15:11,119 --> 00:15:13,619
in the United States Senate.
315
00:15:13,746 --> 00:15:15,916
narrator: To win
the presidential nomination,
316
00:15:15,957 --> 00:15:17,827
Kennedy needed delegates.
317
00:15:17,959 --> 00:15:20,789
He set his eyes
on state primaries,
318
00:15:20,837 --> 00:15:24,917
a series of daunting obstacles
he would have to overcome.
319
00:15:25,007 --> 00:15:28,137
His major Democratic rival,
Lyndon Johnson,
320
00:15:28,261 --> 00:15:30,431
opted to sit them all out,
321
00:15:30,471 --> 00:15:34,021
feeling that his influence
and years spent in Congress
322
00:15:34,142 --> 00:15:37,652
would be enough to earn the
nomination at the convention.
323
00:15:37,770 --> 00:15:40,520
However, Kennedy believed
winning at the primaries
324
00:15:40,648 --> 00:15:45,028
would carry him into
the convention with momentum.
325
00:15:45,153 --> 00:15:49,323
In March of 1960, Kennedy
dove into his first primary
326
00:15:49,449 --> 00:15:52,829
in New Hampshire
and won handily.
327
00:15:52,952 --> 00:15:55,832
- You know, because it�s
neighboring to Massachusetts,
328
00:15:55,872 --> 00:15:58,502
it wasn�t considered
a breakthrough on his part.
329
00:15:58,541 --> 00:16:00,001
Next comes Wisconsin.
330
00:16:00,042 --> 00:16:01,842
? ?
331
00:16:01,878 --> 00:16:04,048
narrator: Kennedy gave
unprecedented access
332
00:16:04,172 --> 00:16:07,632
to documentarian Robert Drew
and his crew
333
00:16:07,675 --> 00:16:12,005
to follow him as he campaigned
in the Wisconsin primary.
334
00:16:12,138 --> 00:16:14,218
- You�re essentially running
against Hubert Humphrey,
335
00:16:14,348 --> 00:16:17,478
who�s, you know, trying to do
a low-funded campaign
336
00:16:17,518 --> 00:16:19,188
but high-energy.
337
00:16:19,228 --> 00:16:22,058
And Wisconsin, of course,
is neighboring
338
00:16:22,148 --> 00:16:25,068
to his own Minnesota,
so he�s putting his all
339
00:16:25,193 --> 00:16:27,033
into that campaign.
340
00:16:27,069 --> 00:16:31,199
- He wasn�t nearly as good on
the campaign trail as Kennedy.
341
00:16:31,324 --> 00:16:34,204
[people clamoring]
342
00:16:36,204 --> 00:16:39,754
[indistinct chatter]
343
00:16:39,874 --> 00:16:41,254
- Listen, now,
anybody I didn�t get?
344
00:16:41,375 --> 00:16:42,415
�Cause I guess we�re late.
345
00:16:42,543 --> 00:16:43,883
Yeah, whose is this?
- Mine.
346
00:16:43,920 --> 00:16:45,380
- Whose is this?
- Mine.
347
00:16:45,421 --> 00:16:47,591
- If you would write me
at the Senate,
348
00:16:47,715 --> 00:16:49,545
I�ll send you a picture
and an autograph
349
00:16:49,675 --> 00:16:50,835
and something
about the Capitol.
350
00:16:50,927 --> 00:16:52,386
- Where should we write?
351
00:16:52,386 --> 00:16:54,006
[indistinct chatter]
352
00:16:54,055 --> 00:16:55,725
- Just write me,
Senator Kennedy,
353
00:16:55,848 --> 00:16:58,888
the Senate, Washington, D.C.
354
00:16:59,018 --> 00:17:01,848
- There. That�s it.
355
00:17:01,896 --> 00:17:03,356
And the eyes
just above the camera.
356
00:17:03,397 --> 00:17:05,767
That�s just fine.
357
00:17:05,900 --> 00:17:08,570
- He was really good-looking.
358
00:17:08,694 --> 00:17:10,074
That helps.
359
00:17:10,112 --> 00:17:13,242
- Kennedy�s physical
attractiveness was huge.
360
00:17:13,282 --> 00:17:15,872
He looked great, particularly
when he was feeling well,
361
00:17:15,910 --> 00:17:18,040
and he always seemed
to have a suntan.
362
00:17:18,079 --> 00:17:24,249
- You know, he had that
kind of bon vivant quality.
363
00:17:24,377 --> 00:17:26,747
Men want to be him.
Women want to have him.
364
00:17:26,879 --> 00:17:28,419
There�s something to that.
365
00:17:28,464 --> 00:17:30,424
- It became a kind of
running joke
366
00:17:30,424 --> 00:17:34,394
among many of the reporters
covering him
367
00:17:34,428 --> 00:17:37,558
about the women
who would flock to see him
368
00:17:37,598 --> 00:17:39,598
like they would flock
to see Elvis Presley
369
00:17:39,642 --> 00:17:43,772
or some kind
of movie star celebrity.
370
00:17:43,813 --> 00:17:47,273
And he made his youth
into an attractive quality
371
00:17:47,316 --> 00:17:51,816
by associating it with sort of
the dawning of a new age.
372
00:17:51,946 --> 00:17:55,066
It was time to get
the country moving again.
373
00:17:55,116 --> 00:18:00,786
? ?
374
00:18:00,788 --> 00:18:01,368
c]
375
00:18:01,998 --> 00:18:03,998
narrator: As Kennedy
campaigned in 1960,
376
00:18:04,125 --> 00:18:06,965
he honed the power
of his words.
377
00:18:07,044 --> 00:18:10,304
- Well, John F. Kennedy knew
how to deliver a speech.
378
00:18:10,339 --> 00:18:13,509
- He was funny,
and he gave short speeches.
379
00:18:13,634 --> 00:18:14,804
They�re witty.
380
00:18:14,844 --> 00:18:16,474
They�re to the point.
381
00:18:16,554 --> 00:18:20,354
They were all at most
6 paragraphs, maybe 12.
382
00:18:20,474 --> 00:18:23,354
Make them want more.
383
00:18:23,477 --> 00:18:27,057
- I run for the presidency
because, like you,
384
00:18:27,148 --> 00:18:31,028
I have strong ideas about
what this country must do.
385
00:18:31,068 --> 00:18:33,988
I have strong ideas
about the United States
386
00:18:33,988 --> 00:18:37,028
playing a great role
in a historic moment.
387
00:18:37,158 --> 00:18:39,578
When the cause of freedom
is endangered
388
00:18:39,660 --> 00:18:41,330
all over the world...
389
00:18:41,412 --> 00:18:43,832
- These are
rhetorical devices
390
00:18:43,873 --> 00:18:47,083
to make your words
more powerful.
391
00:18:47,209 --> 00:18:51,669
- But that particular accent
and the particular pacing
392
00:18:51,756 --> 00:18:54,086
and all of that,
I don�t think anybody�s come
393
00:18:54,175 --> 00:18:56,435
anywhere close to it.
394
00:18:56,510 --> 00:18:59,180
- This is somebody who gives
speeches that make people want
395
00:18:59,221 --> 00:19:01,521
to get up and march somewhere.
396
00:19:01,599 --> 00:19:03,179
? ?
397
00:19:03,267 --> 00:19:06,727
- Well, ladies and gentlemen,
I ask your help.
398
00:19:06,854 --> 00:19:09,904
I ask your help
in building the United States.
399
00:19:10,024 --> 00:19:13,244
I ask your help
in reestablishing the prestige
400
00:19:13,361 --> 00:19:14,861
and strength of our country.
401
00:19:14,904 --> 00:19:16,574
I ask your help.
402
00:19:16,697 --> 00:19:22,867
? ?
403
00:19:22,912 --> 00:19:27,462
narrator:
April 1960, Wisconsin.
404
00:19:27,541 --> 00:19:31,301
The campaign lasted
four weeks.
405
00:19:31,379 --> 00:19:34,969
While Kennedy did well in
large cities like Milwaukee,
406
00:19:35,091 --> 00:19:36,881
Humphrey spent
much of his time
407
00:19:37,051 --> 00:19:39,761
with farmers in rural areas.
408
00:19:39,887 --> 00:19:42,637
Humphrey was far more familiar
with that territory
409
00:19:42,723 --> 00:19:45,143
than his upper-class opponent
from Boston.
410
00:19:45,226 --> 00:19:52,066
? ?
411
00:19:52,108 --> 00:19:54,988
- This is the heart
of Senator Kennedy�s strength,
412
00:19:55,069 --> 00:19:57,779
the heavily populated
city areas,
413
00:19:57,905 --> 00:19:59,735
particularly the Polish
Catholic fourth district
414
00:19:59,782 --> 00:20:01,282
in Milwaukee.
415
00:20:01,409 --> 00:20:08,079
? ?
416
00:20:08,124 --> 00:20:10,924
- We would have passed
that bill two years ago,
417
00:20:11,001 --> 00:20:13,921
but it failed by one vote
in the Senate
418
00:20:13,963 --> 00:20:16,093
when the president
withdrew his support
419
00:20:16,132 --> 00:20:18,592
on the day the bill
was coming up to vote.
420
00:20:18,634 --> 00:20:21,514
That�s how important the office
of the presidency is.
421
00:20:21,595 --> 00:20:24,845
He shall determine what shall
be our policy on Berlin.
422
00:20:24,932 --> 00:20:28,352
He shall determine whether
we shall be at war or peace.
423
00:20:28,436 --> 00:20:30,186
? ?
424
00:20:30,271 --> 00:20:32,811
narrator: When the Wisconsin
numbers came in,
425
00:20:32,940 --> 00:20:35,610
Kennedy and his team
were shaken.
426
00:20:35,651 --> 00:20:39,947
He had won by only 13%,
a dramatic contrast
427
00:20:39,947 --> 00:20:42,817
to his landslide victory
in New Hampshire.
428
00:20:42,867 --> 00:20:44,987
? ?
429
00:20:45,119 --> 00:20:48,369
- It punctured
the Kennedy momentum
430
00:20:48,456 --> 00:20:51,206
for a brief, brief period,
that they really realized
431
00:20:51,292 --> 00:20:55,462
they had to regroup.
432
00:20:55,546 --> 00:20:57,166
crowd: ? Back Jack ?
433
00:20:57,298 --> 00:20:59,338
? Jack is on the right track ?
434
00:20:59,467 --> 00:21:02,637
? �Cause he�s got high hopes ?
435
00:21:02,720 --> 00:21:05,510
narrator: After Wisconsin,
Kennedy won in Illinois,
436
00:21:05,639 --> 00:21:07,639
his home state
of Massachusetts,
437
00:21:07,683 --> 00:21:11,853
Pennsylvania, Indiana,
and Nebraska.
438
00:21:11,979 --> 00:21:15,519
But the next destination,
West Virginia,
439
00:21:15,649 --> 00:21:19,987
would prove to be a challenge
unlike any state so far.
440
00:21:19,987 --> 00:21:27,037
? ?
441
00:21:27,161 --> 00:21:29,831
- As different
from Massachusetts
442
00:21:29,872 --> 00:21:33,332
or anything John Kennedy
had ever known,
443
00:21:33,417 --> 00:21:36,997
very Protestant,
very few Catholics,
444
00:21:37,046 --> 00:21:41,086
people who didn�t know wealth.
445
00:21:41,175 --> 00:21:43,395
narrator:
West Virginia was rural,
446
00:21:43,427 --> 00:21:46,047
at the heart
of America�s coal country.
447
00:21:46,180 --> 00:21:49,930
- Coal mines were running
at 100% capacity.
448
00:21:50,017 --> 00:21:52,517
Everybody was busy, but it
still had the reputation
449
00:21:52,561 --> 00:21:55,191
of having pockets of poverty.
450
00:21:55,272 --> 00:21:57,692
And I think that�s
how Kennedy was briefed,
451
00:21:57,733 --> 00:22:01,113
that he was going to be coming
into a poverty-stricken place.
452
00:22:01,195 --> 00:22:03,415
Instead he found a lot
of working coal miners.
453
00:22:03,531 --> 00:22:05,031
? ?
454
00:22:05,115 --> 00:22:07,405
narrator: The campaign
increased its intensity
455
00:22:07,535 --> 00:22:10,455
beyond what it had displayed
in Wisconsin.
456
00:22:10,538 --> 00:22:12,038
The Humphrey camp
followed suit.
457
00:22:12,122 --> 00:22:14,752
? ?
458
00:22:14,875 --> 00:22:17,035
One of the biggest gripes
the general public had
459
00:22:17,086 --> 00:22:20,256
with Kennedy
was his Catholic faith.
460
00:22:20,381 --> 00:22:23,801
This was especially true
in West Virginia.
461
00:22:23,884 --> 00:22:26,094
- You would be divided
between two loyalties,
462
00:22:26,220 --> 00:22:27,930
to your church
and to your state,
463
00:22:28,055 --> 00:22:29,885
if you were
to be elected president.
464
00:22:29,932 --> 00:22:32,892
- Yeah, the question
is whether I think that--
465
00:22:32,935 --> 00:22:34,565
if I were elected president,
466
00:22:34,645 --> 00:22:36,445
I would be divided
between two loyalties,
467
00:22:36,564 --> 00:22:38,774
my church and my state.
468
00:22:38,899 --> 00:22:41,229
Let me just say
that I would not.
469
00:22:41,277 --> 00:22:43,607
I have sworn to uphold
the Constitution.
470
00:22:43,737 --> 00:22:45,777
In the 14 years
I�ve been in Congress,
471
00:22:45,906 --> 00:22:47,816
in the years
I was in the service,
472
00:22:47,908 --> 00:22:49,738
the Constitution provides
in the First Amendment
473
00:22:49,827 --> 00:22:51,827
that Congress
shall make no laws
474
00:22:51,912 --> 00:22:53,747
abridging
the freedom of religion.
475
00:22:53,747 --> 00:22:55,577
I must say I believe in it.
476
00:22:55,624 --> 00:22:58,424
I think it�s the only way
that this country can go ahead.
477
00:22:58,460 --> 00:23:00,590
I am sure that no one
believes that I�d be
478
00:23:00,629 --> 00:23:02,259
a candidate
for the presidency
479
00:23:02,298 --> 00:23:04,128
if I didn�t think I could
meet my oath of office.
480
00:23:04,258 --> 00:23:05,968
? ?
481
00:23:06,093 --> 00:23:07,933
narrator:
This clear, strong oath
482
00:23:08,012 --> 00:23:10,312
seemed to quiet
the local critics.
483
00:23:10,347 --> 00:23:12,177
? ?
484
00:23:12,266 --> 00:23:15,436
On May 10th, Kennedy won
60% of the popular vote
485
00:23:15,477 --> 00:23:17,597
in West Virginia.
486
00:23:17,688 --> 00:23:20,108
That afternoon,
overcome with emotion
487
00:23:20,190 --> 00:23:22,480
from the hard-fought campaign,
488
00:23:22,610 --> 00:23:25,450
Humphrey tearfully announced
he would no longer seek
489
00:23:25,613 --> 00:23:27,493
the Democratic nomination.
490
00:23:27,615 --> 00:23:29,285
? ?
491
00:23:29,450 --> 00:23:31,790
Kennedy won more votes
than any other candidate
492
00:23:31,827 --> 00:23:33,997
in the Democratic primaries,
493
00:23:34,121 --> 00:23:38,461
walking away with 32.5%
of the total vote.
494
00:23:38,542 --> 00:23:40,712
It was a significant
accomplishment,
495
00:23:40,794 --> 00:23:44,714
but it wasn�t enough
to lock in the nomination.
496
00:23:44,798 --> 00:23:46,628
? ?
497
00:23:46,675 --> 00:23:49,215
With the nomination
up for grabs,
498
00:23:49,303 --> 00:23:52,473
Kennedy took off for the
Democratic National Convention
499
00:23:52,556 --> 00:23:54,056
in Los Angeles.
500
00:23:54,141 --> 00:24:00,981
? ?
501
00:24:01,023 --> 00:24:04,483
- I want to assure you
that today we begin here
502
00:24:04,652 --> 00:24:08,202
in this city an effort
to win this nomination,
503
00:24:08,322 --> 00:24:10,572
which I believe
will be successful.
504
00:24:10,658 --> 00:24:14,578
? ?
505
00:24:14,578 --> 00:24:16,538
c]
506
00:24:16,622 --> 00:24:19,252
narrator: At the 1960
Democratic National Convention
507
00:24:19,375 --> 00:24:21,755
in Los Angeles,
Kennedy was vying
508
00:24:21,835 --> 00:24:23,705
for the presidential
nomination
509
00:24:23,796 --> 00:24:26,206
against Lyndon Johnson
of Texas,
510
00:24:26,298 --> 00:24:28,758
Stuart Symington of Missouri,
511
00:24:28,842 --> 00:24:31,892
and Adlai Stevenson
of Illinois.
512
00:24:32,012 --> 00:24:33,432
- If we�re going
to successfully move
513
00:24:33,472 --> 00:24:35,222
through the �60s,
514
00:24:35,307 --> 00:24:37,597
if we�re going to be true
to our destiny of being
515
00:24:37,685 --> 00:24:40,815
the great defender of freedom
in these dangerous times,
516
00:24:40,896 --> 00:24:43,266
then the United States
must build its strength.
517
00:24:43,357 --> 00:24:44,977
? ?
518
00:24:45,067 --> 00:24:46,777
narrator: Civil rights
were this convention�s
519
00:24:46,860 --> 00:24:48,610
hot-button topic.
520
00:24:48,696 --> 00:24:50,196
- You know, the experiences
of African Americans
521
00:24:50,280 --> 00:24:51,910
vary greatly.
522
00:24:51,991 --> 00:24:54,241
The common thread is
segregation, discrimination,
523
00:24:54,326 --> 00:24:56,496
denial of opportunity.
524
00:24:56,578 --> 00:25:01,918
- It was a movement that could
not be contained in the South
525
00:25:02,001 --> 00:25:04,091
or even in the United States.
526
00:25:04,169 --> 00:25:06,509
It was a powerful
human statement
527
00:25:06,588 --> 00:25:09,218
for the desire
for human freedom,
528
00:25:09,299 --> 00:25:12,889
and that is what gave it
so much power.
529
00:25:12,970 --> 00:25:14,720
narrator:
Despite his lackluster record
530
00:25:14,805 --> 00:25:16,395
on the issue,
531
00:25:16,432 --> 00:25:19,142
Kennedy took a decisive step
by supporting
532
00:25:19,226 --> 00:25:22,846
a progressive civil rights
plank at the convention.
533
00:25:22,938 --> 00:25:25,608
This plank called
for the complete elimination
534
00:25:25,733 --> 00:25:28,243
of discrimination
based on race,
535
00:25:28,318 --> 00:25:31,858
religion, and national origin.
536
00:25:31,947 --> 00:25:34,907
It also demanded
fair employment practices
537
00:25:34,992 --> 00:25:37,912
and openly advocated
the sit-in demonstrations
538
00:25:37,953 --> 00:25:39,873
occurring all over
the Deep South.
539
00:25:39,913 --> 00:25:41,833
? ?
540
00:25:41,874 --> 00:25:43,544
- So at that convention,
what�s notable
541
00:25:43,625 --> 00:25:47,205
is the lead
that the Kennedy group takes
542
00:25:47,296 --> 00:25:50,216
in insisting on a strong
civil rights plank,
543
00:25:50,299 --> 00:25:53,549
responding to the demands
that are rising,
544
00:25:53,594 --> 00:25:55,514
the pressures
that are accelerating,
545
00:25:55,596 --> 00:25:59,426
and, most significantly,
the importance of Black voting
546
00:25:59,516 --> 00:26:01,686
in Northern industrial states.
547
00:26:01,769 --> 00:26:04,149
? ?
548
00:26:04,229 --> 00:26:05,939
Narrator:
After this unflinching stance
549
00:26:06,023 --> 00:26:07,733
was announced,
550
00:26:07,816 --> 00:26:10,686
nine Southern states
promptly signed a document
551
00:26:10,778 --> 00:26:14,358
denouncing Kennedy
as a candidate.
552
00:26:14,448 --> 00:26:17,578
- It wasn�t like everybody
was for John Kennedy in 1960.
553
00:26:17,659 --> 00:26:18,909
That was clear.
554
00:26:18,952 --> 00:26:22,082
People were counting,
555
00:26:22,164 --> 00:26:24,794
are we gonna get the number
of votes on the first ballot?
556
00:26:24,875 --> 00:26:28,135
So there was a tension as to
whether it was gonna work,
557
00:26:28,253 --> 00:26:30,713
absolutely, total tension.
558
00:26:30,798 --> 00:26:36,258
? ?
559
00:26:36,345 --> 00:26:38,015
narrator: The legwork done
by the Kennedy camp
560
00:26:38,097 --> 00:26:39,887
over the past four years
561
00:26:40,015 --> 00:26:44,345
finally paid off
on July 13, 1960.
562
00:26:56,865 --> 00:27:00,865
? ?
563
00:27:00,911 --> 00:27:03,121
narrator: Amidst tens of
thousands of people,
564
00:27:03,205 --> 00:27:05,795
Kennedy accepted
the Democratic nomination
565
00:27:05,874 --> 00:27:08,004
at the Los Angeles Coliseum
566
00:27:08,085 --> 00:27:11,255
and chose his former opponent,
Lyndon Johnson,
567
00:27:11,338 --> 00:27:13,878
as his vice presidential
running mate,
568
00:27:13,966 --> 00:27:17,086
believing the Texas senator
would help secure
569
00:27:17,177 --> 00:27:21,217
the Southern political support
he needed to win the election.
570
00:27:21,306 --> 00:27:25,556
- And we stand today
on the edge of a new frontier,
571
00:27:25,644 --> 00:27:28,404
the frontier of the 1960s,
572
00:27:28,480 --> 00:27:32,320
the frontier of unknown
opportunities and perils,
573
00:27:32,401 --> 00:27:37,821
the frontier of unfilled hope
and unfilled threats.
574
00:27:37,906 --> 00:27:41,526
The new frontier is here,
whether we seek it or not.
575
00:27:41,618 --> 00:27:45,288
Beyond that frontier
are uncharted areas
576
00:27:45,414 --> 00:27:47,424
of science and space,
577
00:27:47,499 --> 00:27:49,959
unsolved problems
of peace and war.
578
00:27:50,043 --> 00:27:56,933
? ?
579
00:27:58,468 --> 00:28:00,468
narrator:
The 1960 presidential race
580
00:28:00,512 --> 00:28:02,352
between Kennedy and Nixon
581
00:28:02,431 --> 00:28:06,181
would be the first widely
televised election in history.
582
00:28:06,268 --> 00:28:08,848
? ?
583
00:28:08,937 --> 00:28:10,557
If the American people
couldn�t see
584
00:28:10,647 --> 00:28:12,437
their candidate in person,
585
00:28:12,524 --> 00:28:15,744
they could watch him from
the comfort of their own home.
586
00:28:15,819 --> 00:28:18,529
The candidates
would debate four times,
587
00:28:18,655 --> 00:28:21,235
arguing their case
to the nation.
588
00:28:21,325 --> 00:28:23,205
- The candidates
need no introduction,
589
00:28:23,285 --> 00:28:24,545
the Republican candidate,
590
00:28:24,620 --> 00:28:26,620
Vice President
Richard M. Nixon,
591
00:28:26,705 --> 00:28:29,785
and the Democratic candidate,
Senator John F. Kennedy.
592
00:28:29,875 --> 00:28:32,715
- The president gained,
America gained
593
00:28:32,753 --> 00:28:35,133
by continuing the dignity,
the decency
594
00:28:35,255 --> 00:28:36,875
that has characterized us,
595
00:28:36,965 --> 00:28:39,755
and it�s that that keeps
the prestige of America up,
596
00:28:39,843 --> 00:28:41,643
not running down America
the way Senator Kennedy
597
00:28:41,720 --> 00:28:43,260
has been running her down.
598
00:28:43,347 --> 00:28:47,477
- Much as Richard Nixon
is criticized,
599
00:28:47,559 --> 00:28:49,099
he mounted the stage
of the Republican Party
600
00:28:49,186 --> 00:28:51,396
on five separate occasions
601
00:28:51,480 --> 00:28:54,230
to accept the nomination
for national office,
602
00:28:54,316 --> 00:28:57,106
three times for president
and twice for vice president.
603
00:28:57,152 --> 00:28:58,902
He was formidable.
604
00:28:58,987 --> 00:29:01,027
- I really don�t need
Mr. Nixon to tell me
605
00:29:01,114 --> 00:29:03,664
about what my responsibilities
are as a citizen.
606
00:29:03,742 --> 00:29:05,872
I�ve served this country
for 14 years in the Congress
607
00:29:05,911 --> 00:29:07,621
and before that in the service.
608
00:29:07,704 --> 00:29:10,504
I have just as high a devotion,
just as high an opinion.
609
00:29:10,582 --> 00:29:12,502
- You look at
the Kennedy-Nixon debate,
610
00:29:12,584 --> 00:29:14,254
a Republican running
at the center
611
00:29:14,336 --> 00:29:16,756
and a Democrat running
at the center in 1960
612
00:29:16,838 --> 00:29:19,338
don�t disagree on much.
613
00:29:19,424 --> 00:29:24,144
And so when people were trying
to decide who do they want,
614
00:29:24,221 --> 00:29:27,851
you have two people
who want the job
615
00:29:27,975 --> 00:29:29,185
who are saying
they�re pretty much
616
00:29:29,268 --> 00:29:30,888
gonna do similar things.
617
00:29:30,978 --> 00:29:32,848
So then TV becomes
that much more important
618
00:29:32,938 --> 00:29:35,018
because you�re making
your decisions based on,
619
00:29:35,107 --> 00:29:37,607
what does your gut tell you?
620
00:29:37,734 --> 00:29:40,114
Kennedy presents
very differently than Nixon.
621
00:29:40,153 --> 00:29:43,783
? ?
622
00:29:43,865 --> 00:29:45,525
- And the difference
between the crowds
623
00:29:45,617 --> 00:29:48,077
the day before that debate
624
00:29:48,161 --> 00:29:50,291
and the crowds
after that debate,
625
00:29:50,414 --> 00:29:55,344
the crowds the next morning
heading into Iowa
626
00:29:55,419 --> 00:29:57,499
were enormous.
627
00:29:57,587 --> 00:30:01,047
We called them the dancers.
628
00:30:01,174 --> 00:30:04,394
The crowds, if you look down
the street half a mile away,
629
00:30:04,469 --> 00:30:06,599
you started to see--
as soon as they saw him,
630
00:30:06,680 --> 00:30:08,640
you could see the crowd
start to jump.
631
00:30:08,724 --> 00:30:10,524
? ?
632
00:30:10,600 --> 00:30:13,310
- I don�t think I looked at him
as some sort of a sex idol.
633
00:30:13,353 --> 00:30:17,273
I looked at him
as an energizer.
634
00:30:17,357 --> 00:30:19,317
He was the future.
635
00:30:19,401 --> 00:30:20,821
He was next.
636
00:30:20,902 --> 00:30:24,990
? ?
637
00:30:24,990 --> 00:30:26,450
c]
638
00:30:26,533 --> 00:30:30,043
? ?
639
00:30:30,120 --> 00:30:31,870
- I think one
of the most important things
640
00:30:31,997 --> 00:30:33,867
was when he called
Coretta Scott King
641
00:30:33,874 --> 00:30:35,294
in the election
642
00:30:35,375 --> 00:30:38,205
when Martin Luther King
was arrested.
643
00:30:38,337 --> 00:30:40,507
- Martin Luther King
is busted in Georgia
644
00:30:40,547 --> 00:30:43,127
on a phony
parole violation charge.
645
00:30:43,216 --> 00:30:45,676
He�s sent off
to a rural Georgia prison,
646
00:30:45,719 --> 00:30:47,219
where there�s great fear
that he will never
647
00:30:47,346 --> 00:30:49,176
get out of there alive.
648
00:30:49,222 --> 00:30:52,392
- He was arrested after
participating in a sit-in,
649
00:30:52,392 --> 00:30:55,902
but he had an outstanding
traffic violation,
650
00:30:56,021 --> 00:30:58,021
so he wasn�t given bail.
651
00:30:58,065 --> 00:30:59,485
He�s put in the jail.
652
00:30:59,566 --> 00:31:00,896
And this was
the end of October.
653
00:31:01,026 --> 00:31:03,186
The election�s
beginning in November.
654
00:31:03,236 --> 00:31:05,406
- Nixon--
who, I think, frankly,
655
00:31:05,530 --> 00:31:07,910
had a better
civil rights record
656
00:31:07,991 --> 00:31:09,911
during the last eight years
than Kennedy--
657
00:31:09,993 --> 00:31:11,913
froze, and he didn�t know
what to do.
658
00:31:11,995 --> 00:31:14,365
He was trying to compete
in the South,
659
00:31:14,498 --> 00:31:16,248
and so he didn�t want
to inflame--
660
00:31:16,416 --> 00:31:19,036
he thought he might win
over some Southern Democrats.
661
00:31:19,086 --> 00:31:21,416
So Nixon tried to just kind of
put his head in the sand
662
00:31:21,546 --> 00:31:24,256
and just hope
that this King incarceration
663
00:31:24,341 --> 00:31:27,431
would be resolved quickly
by local officials.
664
00:31:27,511 --> 00:31:29,931
Kennedy makes a phone call--
it lasted maybe a minute
665
00:31:30,097 --> 00:31:32,557
or two--to Coretta Scott King
and just said,
666
00:31:32,599 --> 00:31:33,769
I�m worried
about your husband,
667
00:31:33,850 --> 00:31:35,350
and we�ll be thinking of you,
668
00:31:35,394 --> 00:31:37,944
and we�ll do
everything we can do.
669
00:31:38,063 --> 00:31:41,613
- That sent a huge message
to the Black community
670
00:31:41,775 --> 00:31:44,615
that John F. Kennedy,
that he was helpful.
671
00:31:44,778 --> 00:31:46,948
And they got Martin Luther King
out of jail.
672
00:31:47,072 --> 00:31:48,622
? ?
673
00:31:48,740 --> 00:31:52,290
- Kennedy�s action
redounded in his favor.
674
00:31:52,369 --> 00:31:55,959
King�s father,
Martin Luther King Sr.,
675
00:31:56,081 --> 00:31:59,461
was actually intending
to vote for Nixon.
676
00:31:59,584 --> 00:32:02,964
- And when they got
Dr. King out of jail,
677
00:32:03,046 --> 00:32:06,466
Daddy King said, I got
a whole suitcase full of votes,
678
00:32:06,550 --> 00:32:08,380
and now they�re going
to Kennedy.
679
00:32:08,468 --> 00:32:10,718
And so that was a signal
where Black people
680
00:32:10,804 --> 00:32:13,724
then lined up
behind John F. Kennedy.
681
00:32:13,807 --> 00:32:19,897
? ?
682
00:32:19,980 --> 00:32:22,150
narrator: With time running
out before the election,
683
00:32:22,232 --> 00:32:25,742
Kennedy and Nixon
were still in a tight race.
684
00:32:25,819 --> 00:32:28,779
Kennedy knew that to win,
he needed to address
685
00:32:28,822 --> 00:32:31,952
any last concerns
the public still had.
686
00:32:31,992 --> 00:32:33,332
? ?
687
00:32:33,452 --> 00:32:35,832
- This program this evening
688
00:32:35,954 --> 00:32:38,624
does not constitute
an endorsement
689
00:32:38,665 --> 00:32:40,495
of either the speaker
690
00:32:40,625 --> 00:32:43,415
or the party
which he represents.
691
00:32:43,503 --> 00:32:46,093
The program has been motivated
by the religious issues
692
00:32:46,173 --> 00:32:47,633
in this campaign.
693
00:32:47,674 --> 00:32:49,014
? ?
694
00:32:49,176 --> 00:32:51,586
- He�s looking
at the polling data.
695
00:32:51,636 --> 00:32:53,136
They decide, look,
we�ve got to take
696
00:32:53,180 --> 00:32:56,850
the Catholicism issue head-on.
697
00:32:56,975 --> 00:33:01,845
- The talk on the street was,
he�ll kiss the pope�s ring.
698
00:33:01,938 --> 00:33:03,688
The pope calls him
every morning
699
00:33:03,857 --> 00:33:05,527
and tells him what to do.
700
00:33:05,609 --> 00:33:07,029
I mean, I remember this.
701
00:33:07,110 --> 00:33:09,110
I was a Catholic schoolkid
at the time.
702
00:33:09,154 --> 00:33:11,534
narrator: Kennedy knew he had
to address the subject
703
00:33:11,698 --> 00:33:16,368
in a public arena one last
time before the election.
704
00:33:16,453 --> 00:33:19,003
He chose Houston
as the location,
705
00:33:19,039 --> 00:33:21,619
where the Greater Houston
Ministerial Conference
706
00:33:21,708 --> 00:33:23,208
was taking place.
707
00:33:23,293 --> 00:33:24,883
? ?
708
00:33:25,003 --> 00:33:27,513
- I believe in an America
709
00:33:27,547 --> 00:33:30,507
where the separation of church
and state is absolute,
710
00:33:30,550 --> 00:33:33,010
for while this year,
it may be a Catholic
711
00:33:33,136 --> 00:33:36,466
against whom the finger
of suspicion is pointed,
712
00:33:36,515 --> 00:33:38,645
in other years,
it has been
713
00:33:38,725 --> 00:33:42,395
and may someday be again
a Jew or a Quaker
714
00:33:42,521 --> 00:33:45,191
or a Unitarian or a Baptist.
715
00:33:45,232 --> 00:33:48,902
- He made his points forcefully
but not--
716
00:33:49,027 --> 00:33:53,067
he was very good in
not being overly combative.
717
00:33:53,156 --> 00:33:54,986
But he was assertive.
718
00:33:55,075 --> 00:33:57,585
- And we raised the question
because we would like to know,
719
00:33:57,661 --> 00:34:01,871
if you are elected president
and your church elects to use
720
00:34:01,915 --> 00:34:04,715
that privilege and obligation,
721
00:34:04,751 --> 00:34:07,751
what your response will be
under those circumstances.
722
00:34:07,754 --> 00:34:11,594
- If my church attempted
to influence me in a way
723
00:34:11,675 --> 00:34:14,725
which was improper
or which affected adversely
724
00:34:14,761 --> 00:34:17,181
my responsibilities
as a public servant
725
00:34:17,264 --> 00:34:19,024
sworn to uphold
the Constitution,
726
00:34:19,099 --> 00:34:21,769
then I would reply to them
727
00:34:21,935 --> 00:34:25,105
that this was an improper
action on their part.
728
00:34:25,230 --> 00:34:27,360
It would be
an unfortunate breach
729
00:34:27,440 --> 00:34:30,940
of an interference with
the American political system.
730
00:34:31,027 --> 00:34:32,947
? ?
731
00:34:33,029 --> 00:34:35,699
narrator: After the speech,
Kennedy spoke off the cuff,
732
00:34:35,782 --> 00:34:37,872
answering a series
of questions
733
00:34:37,951 --> 00:34:42,211
from the ministers that had
not been screened in advance.
734
00:34:42,289 --> 00:34:45,119
- I�m sure that I have made
no converts to my church,
735
00:34:45,208 --> 00:34:46,788
but I do hope--
[laughter]
736
00:34:46,918 --> 00:34:51,088
I do hope that at least
my view, which I believe
737
00:34:51,131 --> 00:34:55,931
to be the view of my fellow
Catholics who hold office,
738
00:34:55,969 --> 00:34:57,759
I hope that it may be
of some value
739
00:34:57,804 --> 00:35:01,644
in at least assisting you
to make a careful judgment.
740
00:35:01,725 --> 00:35:04,645
[applause]
741
00:35:04,728 --> 00:35:11,818
? ?
742
00:35:11,943 --> 00:35:13,403
narrator:
Racing across the country
743
00:35:13,486 --> 00:35:15,396
and fueled by adrenaline,
744
00:35:15,488 --> 00:35:18,778
Kennedy often had dark circles
around his eyes.
745
00:35:18,825 --> 00:35:21,405
Without much time
to rest or eat,
746
00:35:21,494 --> 00:35:24,964
just days before the election,
Kennedy claimed,
747
00:35:24,998 --> 00:35:27,748
I�m going to last
about five more days,
748
00:35:27,834 --> 00:35:30,174
but that�s time enough.
749
00:35:30,295 --> 00:35:33,135
- It�s the day before
the election in 1960,
750
00:35:33,256 --> 00:35:36,756
and Kennedy finishes
in Waterbury,
751
00:35:36,843 --> 00:35:40,513
Springfield,
and Boston Garden that night.
752
00:35:40,513 --> 00:35:42,353
My grandmother marched us
down to city hall
753
00:35:42,432 --> 00:35:46,852
to see this remarkable
presentation.
754
00:35:46,978 --> 00:35:48,648
I remember one sign
that was hung
755
00:35:48,688 --> 00:35:51,188
on the Grand Army Hall
of the Republic that said,
756
00:35:51,274 --> 00:35:53,824
welcome home, Jack.
757
00:35:53,860 --> 00:35:56,030
I mean, I�m 11 years old
and looking up and saying,
758
00:35:56,112 --> 00:35:59,452
you know, tomorrow this guy
could be the president.
759
00:35:59,532 --> 00:36:00,782
And nobody knows
how the election
760
00:36:00,867 --> 00:36:02,367
is still gonna turn out.
761
00:36:02,535 --> 00:36:04,865
- His last speech
was at Boston Garden.
762
00:36:04,954 --> 00:36:06,214
And it was brilliant.
763
00:36:06,289 --> 00:36:09,129
It was absolutely brilliant.
764
00:36:09,209 --> 00:36:14,379
? ?
765
00:36:14,506 --> 00:36:16,666
- So I come here tonight.
766
00:36:16,716 --> 00:36:19,546
I thank you
for your past support.
767
00:36:19,636 --> 00:36:22,176
I ask you to join us tomorrow.
768
00:36:22,222 --> 00:36:25,812
And most of all,
I ask you to join us--
769
00:36:25,892 --> 00:36:27,642
if we are successful,
770
00:36:27,727 --> 00:36:30,727
I ask you to join us
in all the tomorrows
771
00:36:30,897 --> 00:36:33,567
yet to come
in building America,
772
00:36:33,692 --> 00:36:37,072
moving America, picking
this country of ours up,
773
00:36:37,153 --> 00:36:39,073
and sending it into the �60s.
774
00:36:39,155 --> 00:36:47,615
? ?
775
00:36:47,622 --> 00:36:49,082
c]
776
00:36:49,124 --> 00:36:52,924
? ?
777
00:36:52,961 --> 00:36:56,761
narrator: Finally,
Election Day had arrived.
778
00:36:56,881 --> 00:36:58,971
Kennedy, his wife, Jackie,
779
00:36:59,092 --> 00:37:01,302
and their two-year-old
daughter, Caroline,
780
00:37:01,428 --> 00:37:03,968
were camped out
at Hyannis Port.
781
00:37:04,097 --> 00:37:06,427
- Joe Kennedy, the father,
782
00:37:06,474 --> 00:37:08,564
had a big place
in Hyannis Port,
783
00:37:08,601 --> 00:37:11,271
and we were invited to be there
on election night
784
00:37:11,396 --> 00:37:14,106
as the returns were coming in.
785
00:37:14,149 --> 00:37:18,069
And the cohesion
among the family,
786
00:37:18,111 --> 00:37:19,951
it was a beautiful sight.
787
00:37:19,988 --> 00:37:22,408
- Photographers and reporters
are all around them,
788
00:37:22,449 --> 00:37:25,079
for this is the man who,
in the next 24 hours,
789
00:37:25,118 --> 00:37:27,658
may become president
of the United States
790
00:37:27,787 --> 00:37:30,917
and she first lady
of the land.
791
00:37:30,957 --> 00:37:32,957
? ?
792
00:37:33,001 --> 00:37:35,131
narrator: Jackie was pregnant
with John Jr.,
793
00:37:35,253 --> 00:37:38,803
due at the end of the month.
794
00:37:38,923 --> 00:37:43,183
Jackie described the scene
as a cold, clear autumn day.
795
00:37:43,303 --> 00:37:47,143
She would later remember her
husband as restless but quiet,
796
00:37:47,182 --> 00:37:52,272
spending some time in the sun
and then trying to nap.
797
00:37:52,312 --> 00:37:54,272
- From the very beginning,
it becomes obvious
798
00:37:54,314 --> 00:37:56,614
that this is going to be
a close election.
799
00:37:56,649 --> 00:38:00,989
? ?
800
00:38:01,029 --> 00:38:03,609
The television networks have
made elaborate preparations
801
00:38:03,698 --> 00:38:05,318
to broadcast
the election returns
802
00:38:05,450 --> 00:38:07,330
as they come in
from the different parts
803
00:38:07,368 --> 00:38:10,038
of the country.
804
00:38:10,163 --> 00:38:12,623
Huge tally boards
post the returns
805
00:38:12,665 --> 00:38:16,875
as they come in minute
by minute, hour by hour.
806
00:38:17,003 --> 00:38:18,383
? ?
807
00:38:18,505 --> 00:38:20,015
- The excitement
of being there,
808
00:38:20,131 --> 00:38:21,971
watching the returns coming in,
809
00:38:22,008 --> 00:38:23,468
it was neck and neck all night.
810
00:38:23,510 --> 00:38:28,510
? ?
811
00:38:28,515 --> 00:38:31,815
- I guess the thing I really
remember trying to stay up.
812
00:38:31,851 --> 00:38:33,691
Come on, I�m not gonna
stay up till--
813
00:38:33,728 --> 00:38:36,358
stay up till 6:00
tomorrow morning and find out
814
00:38:36,397 --> 00:38:39,187
we still got 10 hours
to go, you know.
815
00:38:39,234 --> 00:38:41,824
But we stayed up awful late,
and we had no idea.
816
00:38:41,861 --> 00:38:44,701
? ?
817
00:38:44,823 --> 00:38:47,033
- In Illinois,
the voting will be so close
818
00:38:47,075 --> 00:38:48,745
that the lead
will go back and forth
819
00:38:48,868 --> 00:38:50,998
from one candidate
to the other,
820
00:38:51,037 --> 00:38:53,907
but then this turns
into a seesaw battle
821
00:38:53,998 --> 00:38:57,248
in quite a few
of the states all night long.
822
00:38:57,377 --> 00:39:02,837
? ?
823
00:39:02,882 --> 00:39:05,432
narrator: As darkness set
over Cape Cod,
824
00:39:05,552 --> 00:39:08,392
Kennedy hung up the phone
with his brother Bobby
825
00:39:08,513 --> 00:39:12,683
after learning the numbers
would not be in for hours.
826
00:39:12,725 --> 00:39:14,725
He retired to his bedroom.
827
00:39:21,901 --> 00:39:25,071
In the morning, Kennedy�s
closest aide, Ted Sorensen,
828
00:39:25,113 --> 00:39:27,203
set out for Kennedy�s house,
829
00:39:27,240 --> 00:39:29,450
just like any other day
in Hyannis Port.
830
00:39:31,786 --> 00:39:34,246
As he approached, he noticed
something was different.
831
00:39:34,372 --> 00:39:38,082
Secret Service agents were
stationed around the home.
832
00:39:40,712 --> 00:39:43,592
John F. Kennedy
was the next president
833
00:39:43,715 --> 00:39:44,975
of the United States.
834
00:39:45,091 --> 00:39:48,931
? ?
835
00:39:48,970 --> 00:39:50,600
Kennedy won the election
836
00:39:50,638 --> 00:39:56,098
with 303 electoral votes
to Nixon�s 219.
837
00:39:56,227 --> 00:39:58,597
The popular vote
was much closer,
838
00:39:58,646 --> 00:40:05,106
with Kennedy receiving only
118,000 more votes than Nixon.
839
00:40:05,236 --> 00:40:08,776
- To all Americans,
I say that the next four years
840
00:40:08,823 --> 00:40:11,623
are going to be difficult
and challenging years
841
00:40:11,659 --> 00:40:13,789
for us all.
842
00:40:13,912 --> 00:40:15,832
The election may have been
a close one,
843
00:40:15,955 --> 00:40:18,955
but I think that there is
general agreement
844
00:40:19,000 --> 00:40:20,840
by all of our citizens
845
00:40:20,960 --> 00:40:23,960
that a supreme national effort
will be needed
846
00:40:24,005 --> 00:40:26,175
in the years ahead
847
00:40:26,299 --> 00:40:29,969
to move this country safely
through the 1960s.
848
00:40:30,094 --> 00:40:33,644
I ask your help in this effort,
849
00:40:33,681 --> 00:40:37,691
and I can assure you
that every degree
850
00:40:37,810 --> 00:40:39,690
of mind and spirit
that I possess
851
00:40:39,812 --> 00:40:41,942
will be devoted
to the long-range interest
852
00:40:41,981 --> 00:40:44,021
of the United States
853
00:40:44,150 --> 00:40:48,150
and to the cause of freedom
around the world.
854
00:40:48,154 --> 00:40:51,994
So now my wife and I prepare
for a new administration
855
00:40:52,116 --> 00:40:53,326
and for a new baby.
856
00:40:53,451 --> 00:40:54,991
Thank you.
857
00:40:54,994 --> 00:40:58,004
? ?
858
00:40:58,122 --> 00:40:59,872
- He ends up writing
859
00:40:59,958 --> 00:41:02,038
his farewell speech
to Massachusetts,
860
00:41:02,168 --> 00:41:05,628
which is astonishingly eloquent
and powerful.
861
00:41:05,672 --> 00:41:07,972
? ?
862
00:41:08,007 --> 00:41:11,637
- For 14 years,
I have placed my confidence
863
00:41:11,678 --> 00:41:14,388
in the citizens
of Massachusetts,
864
00:41:14,514 --> 00:41:17,184
and they have
generously responded
865
00:41:17,225 --> 00:41:20,525
by placing their confidence
in me.
866
00:41:20,561 --> 00:41:23,481
Now on the Friday after next,
867
00:41:23,523 --> 00:41:28,243
I am to assume new
and broader responsibilities.
868
00:41:28,361 --> 00:41:31,031
We must always consider,
he said,
869
00:41:31,155 --> 00:41:35,325
that we shall be
as a city upon a hill.
870
00:41:35,368 --> 00:41:39,248
The eyes of all people
are upon us.
871
00:41:39,372 --> 00:41:43,332
I ask for your help
and your prayers
872
00:41:43,418 --> 00:41:46,248
as I embark on this new
and solemn journey.
873
00:41:46,379 --> 00:41:51,879
? ?
874
00:41:51,926 --> 00:41:54,216
narrator: Next on "Kennedy"...
875
00:41:54,345 --> 00:41:56,715
- I, John Fitzgerald Kennedy,
do solemnly swear
876
00:41:56,848 --> 00:41:58,598
that I will
faithfully execute
877
00:41:58,725 --> 00:42:02,025
the office of president
of the United States.
878
00:42:02,061 --> 00:42:04,397
- He�s very young,
and he doesn�t fit the mold.
879
00:42:04,397 --> 00:42:06,727
- How would he do
on the world stage,
880
00:42:06,858 --> 00:42:09,398
given he was so young
and inexperienced?
881
00:42:09,527 --> 00:42:11,897
- He was instantly
overwhelmed by it.
882
00:42:12,030 --> 00:42:13,570
The sheer number of concerns
883
00:42:13,740 --> 00:42:15,780
that were piled
onto his plate,
884
00:42:15,908 --> 00:42:18,618
and they were urgent issues.
885
00:42:18,668 --> 00:42:23,218
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