Monday, February 04, 2008

Truman on Kennedy (sound familiar?)

This is from meet the press.
for the whole transcript go here.

MR. RUSSERT: ...and we've been able to find exactly what Harry Truman said about John Kennedy back in July of 1960. Let's watch this.

(Videotape)

PRES. HARRY S. TRUMAN: Senator, you--are you certain that you are quite ready for the country, or the country is ready for you in the role of president in January 1961? I have no doubt about the political heights to which you are destined to rise, but I'm deeply concerned and troubled about the situation we are up against in the world now and in the immediate future. That is why I hope that someone with the greatest possible maturity and experience would be available at this time. May I urge you to be patient.

(End videotape)

MR. RUSSERT: Incredible. Two days later, this is how John Kennedy responded to Harry Truman. Let's watch.

(Videotape)

PRES. JOHN F. KENNEDY: The world is changing. The old ways will not do. It is time for new generation of leadership to cope with new problems and new opportunities, for there is a new world to be won, a world of peace and good will, a world of hope and abundance, and I want America to lead the way to that new world.

Today I say to you, with full knowledge of the responsibilities of that high office, that if the people of the nation select me to be their president, I am ready.

(End videotape)

MR. RUSSERT: Forty-eight years later, maturity, experience, "be patient," "I'm ready."

MR. CARVILLE: Yeah.

MR. SHRUM: It's the same debate.

MR. MURPHY: Yeah.

Labels:

0 Comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]

<< Home