I know JFK apparently had his dishonest moments in his personal life, but after watching A President to Remember on HBO, I was amazed how straightforward he was in politics.
The show was a compilation of videos in camera verite style both on the campaign trail and inside the White House during some intense times. Kennedy apparently felt video was the new history and wanted a camera following him.
But it is his candor -- beyond his incredibly smart approach to dealing with a host of high-pressure situations -- that sticks out the most in these times of talk from Dems that is the political equivalent of oatmeal.
I don't have the transcript or video excerpts but some moments that stood out:
o JFK talking to a national Christian group to put to rest their fears he would be ruled by Rome. Kennedy says something to the effect that if he loses because of this issue, it will be a black mark on America. Right in their face. And they gave him a standing ovation afterwards.
o JFK responding to Truman telling him to consider bowing out cuz he's too young after Kennedy had won most of the delegate votes going into the convention. Kennedy responds directly by first expressing his admiration of Truman and then telling him straight out -- it's none of your business. No one will make that decision for him except the American people. What coulda been a deal-killer turned into a triumph.
o During the debates, Nixon used quotes -- some real, some not -- about Kennedy denigrating America and Eisenhower and how that emboldened Kruzshev. JFK came right back with as a citizen, he's allowed to express his opinion even if it's negative. That makes America stronger and he doesn't need Nixon or anyone else telling him what he can and can't say. And his love of his country was already proven by his service in WWII and Congress.
o Kennedy -- at his inauguration ball -- tells the audience -- "Democrats believe in excellence and achievement." In the arts as well as all other facets of American life.
o Kennedy selling the test-ban treaty: (paraphrase) "Our weapons could kill 300 million in a single day through misunderstanding, miscalculation or madness. I'm trying to avoid that." Later he said he wants to avoid "military collisions" with the communists around the world but understood the ideological struggle would continue.
All that kept rolling through my head is what the right-wing propaganda machine of today would do with Kennedy. He was blunt, partisan, cutting, intelligent and, the part the right wing would have a problem with -- he was right! There was very little BS triangulation or forethought in his comments based on fear of what the other side or media might say. He just said what needed to be said. The truth was the truth.
The night of the State of Union, it made me pine for the day when we had a Democratic President who believed this as well. And that's not just putting Obama under the bus, that's every Democratic president since JFK.
Last quote I'll mention was to a question in the press briefing saying the RNC committee had agreed he was a complete failure. JFK smiled and said, "Yes, I'm sure it was a unanimous decision."