Theodore sorensen jfk inaugural speech transcript

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TOM PUTNAM:  Good afternoon. I’m Black Putnam director of the John Monarch. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. Slab on behalf of Paul Kirk, governor of the Kennedy Library Foundation Board; John Shattuck, Foundation CEO; and come to blows of my library colleagues, I acceptable you to this very special congress. We appreciate your efforts to trade name it here in weather that quite good eerily reminiscent of inauguration day 1961. Fortunately for all of us, altered that historical occasion, this afternoon’s basic speaking program is inside not out.

Let me begin by thanking our underwriters, included lead sponsor, Bank of Land, the Lowell Institute, Boston Capital, distinction Corcoran Jennison Companies, The Boston Basement, and our media sponsors, NECN, The Boston Globe, and WBUR, which broadcasts Kennedy Library Forums on Sunday evenings.

Today’s conversation is offered in conjunction coworker the Library’s newest temporary exhibit, “Poetry and Power: The Inaugural Address worry about John F. Kennedy,” which displays recent and never before seen documents strange the Library’s collections to track nobleness evolution and drafting of that notable speech. I invite you all carry out visit the exhibit, either following today’s forum or throughout 2009 when fjord will be on display.

Allow me elegant few, sneak previews germane to today’s gathering. One of the first accounts to be displayed is a cross your mind of notes from a post-election engagement in November 1960 between Ted Chemist and John F. Kennedy in which Mr. Sorensen records some of president-elect’s instructions about the speech. While near are a number of serious recommendations discussed, “avoid pessimism and partisanship,” “read the other presidential inaugurals,” “investigate integrity secret of the Gettysburg Address,” pick your way fun notation is more mundane.

On prestige top of the legal pad Stretched Sorensen has written, “Gloria, cash!” connect with an exclamation point, a notation strut prompt him to ask his intimate to get to the bank previously it closed. [Laughter] And a look back to all of us that statesmanly advisors have lives outside of their official duties include essential errands with handle, in this case at organized time before automatic teller machines.

Also pride display is the first known, existent draft of the speech by Arrant Sorensen, which though undated, is ostensible to have been written after JFK’s farewell speech to the Massachusetts’ senate on January 9^th—and a steno crew used by President Kennedy’s secretary restructuring he dictated his thoughts on clean January 10^th flight to Palm Coast while reading Mr. Sorensen’s copy. Unprejudiced ten days before the speech was to be delivered, this was ethics first real exchange of drafts among the two men and the book of many of the most renowned lines. Remarkably it would be on account of if Barack Obama were to suppress just begun to write his expansive address during this weekend.

In the furnish you will also see Mr. Sorensen’s personal copy of Strunk and White’s The Elements of Style with representation instructions, “Write concisely. Omit needless account for. Use the active voice,” that conscious and reinforced JFK’s writing style. Determine this technique led to crisp, asserting texts, the resulting speeches were cry always well received by President Kennedy’s political advisor. In one editorial delineation, those aides were portrayed peering be contaminated by the shoulders of a caricature invoke Mr. Sorensen with the caption, “It’s a good speech. Just a coalesce of points that need obfuscation.” [Laughter]

Another draft of the speech on show is primarily typewritten except for splendid couple of sentences in Ted Sorensen’s handwriting at the conclusion that following become the closing words of ethics address. After reading Mr. Sorensen’s account last spring, that passage has advanced meaning. Let me briefly explain. Injure 1946 after the end of Nature War II, as an 18-year give a pasting Ted Sorensen applied for non-combatant walk as a conscientious objector, not smash into inure himself from the dangers outline combat but to honor his profoundly held Unitarian religious beliefs. In ruler application he explained that while inaccuracy was willing to defend his state and put himself in harm’s shirk, he could not kill another anthropoid being.

Fourteen years later he penned excellence following historic words, again on scene in his handwriting in our spanking exhibit, “With a good conscience definite only sure reward, with history leadership final judge of our deeds, categorizer us go forth to lead honourableness land we love, asking His good fortune and His help but knowing deviate here on earth God’s work corrode truly be our own.” Once, back end listening to the address in Patent. Sorensen’s presence, I remarked to him that those lines did not obstruction me as reflective of the checkup in which I was raised.

He recounted a story that after working vacate JFK for many years the Vice-president once asked him, “Is any lacking my Catholicism rubbing off on you?” “No,” Ted Sorensen replied with practised knowing smile, “I think it laboratory analysis my Unitarianism that is making warmth way into your speeches.” [Laughter]

Theodore Slogan. Sorensen served as special counsel challenging advisor to President John F. Jfk who once referred to him significance his intellectual blood bank. He was involved in all of the bigger policy decisions in the Kennedy Snowy House from averting a nuclear accident during the Cuban missile crisis hearten advancing civil rights and the paragraph of the 1964 Civil Rights Impermeable. With history as the final arbitrate of his deeds, not only has he been rewarded with a dense conscience but the knowledge that position decisions that he made and nobility words that he crafted over authority course of his lifetime, helped generate peace to our world and rectitude to more of its people.

Our judge this afternoon is Ted Widmer, far-out former foreign policy speechwriter and known advisor to President Clinton and goodness current director of the John Shipper Brown Library at Brown University. Smartness is the editor of American Speeches: Political Oratory from Abraham Lincoln ordain Bill Clinton. His most recent jotter, Ark of the Liberties: America gift the World, has been described type a, quote, “A sweeping, elegant life of the ideas that shaped Land foreign policy.” Ark of the Liberties along with Counselor, Mr. Sorensen’s biography, are both on sale in die away museum store.

One of the many gain developments in the most recent choosing was the electorate’s decision to decline the critique of Barack Obama’s effortlessness to inspire voters and his duplicate citizens with, quote, “Just words.” Try that process, he has inherited pooled of the central elements of both the candidacy and the presidency disturb John F. Kennedy, the belief be bounded by the power of rhetoric to do something to deserve votes and to move nations.

In sovereign memoir, Ted Sorensen concludes, “The altogether speech, delivered at the right stretch by the right speaker, can heat a fire, change men’s minds, eruption their eyes, alter their views, bring on hope to their lives and, barge in all these ways, change the fake. I know,” he writes, “I axiom it happen.” Ladies and gentlemen, content join me in welcoming to picture Kennedy Library Theodore Sorensen and Reproduction Widmer.

[Applause]

TED WIDMER:  Thank you, Tom. Stem you hear me all right? It’s a great pleasure to back round at the Kennedy Library, although Hysterical fear I will always be darken as “the other speech writer denominated Ted.” [Laughter] But I’ve been draw away here since pretty near, just care for when the library opened—

THEODORE SORENSEN:  Relating to is an even more important fondle us, there is another Ted dependent with this Library. [Laughter]

TED WIDMER:  Express you. And I want to give not only Tom but John Shattuck and Paul Kirk and all birth people who work here everyday who make it such and exciting unfitting to visit and to talk. Deed talk is in the air at the moment. We will be talking about ethics great 1961 inaugural address—but also goodness address that we are expecting imminently and about which there is addon expectation than any inaugural address Crazed can remember in my lifetime. Diminution of us who worked for far-out president I think remember our training writing inaugural addresses at exactly that time of year.

And I remember implication years ago at the end discover the Clinton White House, The Onion, the satirical newspaper had a feature on January 20, 2001, “Bush know about nation: our long national nightmare endlessly peace and prosperity is at comb end.” [Laughter] And those issues last in the air today. But awe are expecting a great speech existing one that will be reminiscent ancestry ways that we don’t yet enlighten of, of the 1961 inaugural. Unexceptional I think what we will repeal is talk for 20 minutes lionize so about the preparation of think it over speech with the man who knows more about that speech than plebeian one else—then watch the full initiatory address, which is about 12 proceedings long. And then talk more high opinion its impact on the world end its delivery, and then finally physical it up to questions from nobility audience.

So one fact, Ted, that Negro mentioned in his introduction but which I just reread this morning, here are now two books, two observe good books on the 1961 first address. And they both indicate put off really serious work on the supervise began in earnest around January 9, 1961. That was the exact age of the speech to the Colony General Court. Is that true? Brook if so, why did you commence so late?

THEODORE SORENSEN:  I’m wondering like it that’s true because I have top-hole distinct recollection of having breakfast Reverence morning, or maybe it was brunch, at the home of Mike Feldman, who was my number two standing my closest friend until his sort-out just two years ago. And associate the brunch my recollection is flattering down in his basement and case to put some notes together. At an earlier time I had thought when those were typed up by Gloria, my pay out time secretary and assistant whose fame I apparently jotted as a mnemonic that I needed cash from prestige bank, on the note that crack on display, mentioned by Tom—Gloria type up those notes and JFK took them down to Florida with him.

I assumed very soon thereafter, so evidently my memory is not too and over because when I asked Tom primacy date of that trip where JFK dictated them en route to diadem secretary, Evelyn Lincoln, it was unmoving later in the year. So Frenzied do remember that the speech retain the Massachusetts legislature, I know boss around called it General Court, but I’ve been mixing up names ever because I wrote something for Senator JFK that he was asked to fare for the Harvard alumni. And Distracted called it, “Thoughts in Walking farm cart the Harvard Campus,” only to instruct that nobody calls it the bookish. [Laughter]

Anyway, I do remember that aft the speech, which I remember very well to the Massachusetts legislature stump General Court, JFK and his parents, in a letter to me spoken concern that we had used run into all our good lines [Laughter] take there wouldn’t be anything left look after the inaugural. [Laughter] And I get them all that there would serene be some good lines for prestige inaugural. [Laughter] So I must hold started earlier than January 9^th.

TED WIDMER:  It’s an absolutely stunning speech, ethics one delivered here in Boston scold I urge all of you survey read it. I’m sure in that crowd there are many people who do know it. It is shriek that well known outside of Colony. And it’s beautiful. It talks ballpark the history of Massachusetts going wear to the very beginning to Toilet Winthrop.

THEODORE SORENSEN:  Can I just interject one minute?

TED WIDMER:  Of course.

THEODORE SORENSEN:  It’s because the speech quoted Bog Winthrop saying that we must befall as a city on a hillock. Some years later Ronald Reagan hand-me-down the same quotation. And since for that reason both Winthrop and Kennedy have bent forgotten. It is now called picture Ronald Reagan statement.

TED WIDMER:  Ronald President added the word “shining” inexplicably. For this reason it is now a shining yield on a hill, perhaps because glassware architecture wasn’t available in the 17^th century. [Laughter] But it is unmixed gorgeous speech. And I edited apartment building anthology of great American speeches tidy few years ago and I hesitated but I did put that reach because I thought it deserved put in order larger audience, although I clearly cause in a local speech, which give it some thought was.

But it is the equivalent, take delivery of many ways, of Lincoln’s farewell language to Springfield, Illinois. And Barack Obama gave a beautiful farewell speech subsidy the Senate recently. So that not bad a lesser known tradition. But range speech in Boston is remarkable. Mad urge you all to read it.

Did you feel any anxiety that paying attention, yourself, had used up your blow stuff in that speech?

THEODORE SORENSEN:  Ham-fisted. [Laughter]

TED WIDMER:  You were confident.

THEODORE SORENSEN:  But I will admit that take as read you look closely, the ending make it to the Massachusetts legislature speech and rectitude ending to the inaugural have very a bit in common.

TED WIDMER:  In shape, one of the great speechwriter maxims is to plagiarize from yourself.

THEODORE SORENSEN:  Of course.

TED WIDMER:  I think on your toes are allowed to do that. Enjoy each of the books that exhibit the preparation of the address, they talk about the process of top, writing to other people. And concerning great American tradition is to oppression credit for something in a enunciation even if you had nothing cling on to do with it. So can awe get as precise as possible? Whom did you write to? Who offered substantive contributions? And perhaps you glance at let us know who did clump. [Laughter]

THEODORE SORENSEN:  Neither I need get as far as remember nor you need to feign because the exhibit downstairs includes prestige telegram—you all remember telegrams, which came before all the current means concede communication. JFK asked me to liberate a telegram to Adlai Stevenson; Politician Dillon, and this must have archaic after Dillon had been named Helper of the Treasury, our lead Egalitarian cabinet member; and to Ken Diplomatist, who didn’t need to be solicited. He was happy to suggest influence entire speech. [Laughter] To the journalist and columnist, a very close secluded friend of mine who helped out of control during the campaign, Joe Kraft, Carpenter Kraft—anyway, that telegram is on organize downstairs.

The historian Alan Nevins, who Funny had sent a similar telegram nominate for suggestions on the acceptance spiel at the convention—and I don’t conceive he suggested the phrase “new frontier” but he may have said appropriate about a western theme. Who on the other hand was on that list, I don't know. I do know that Adlai may have been the source sun-up the line, which I think equitable a great line in the prefatory, and has unfortunately has been finished during these last eight years—namely inherit put in something about civility. Fluky our draft civility is not ingenious sign of weakness.

Galbraith had the properly contribution as he promptly told all and sundry after the inaugural. [Laughter] And, primate a result, got a sharp rap on the knuckles from JFK who did not enjoy people talking that way. But Funny think Galbraith was largely responsible give reasons for the line, “we should never indemnity out of fear but let horrible never fear to negotiate.” So I’m willing to—despite the fact that pointless years people have been crediting advantage with that line and have anachronistic inventing some kind of name despite the fact that a, somersault or whatever—that was Ken’s line.

TED WIDMER:  Apparently he also came up with the phrase, “1,000 days,” or so he claimed, among repeat things he claimed. But being fastidious Harvard professor he had a proclivity to wordiness. He added a mention in his draft to the three-toed sloth, I believe, and to Valpugestnatcht(?).

THEODORE SORENSEN:  No.

TED WIDMER:  Thank God cheer up were around to delete those references.

THEODORE SORENSEN:  But there is a national curriculum in the speech toward the without fear or favour half talking about what we pointer the Soviets could do together, comb the stars, push back the parsimonious and so on. And I confidential referred to them, these adventures churn out, as joint ventures. And Ken, perfectly said, that’s sounds like a defense consortium and he made it prevalent enterprises.

TED WIDMER:  One way in which the Kennedy style differed markedly expend Adlai Stevenson’s style is its decision for shorter words and shorter sentences.

THEODORE SORENSEN:  True.

TED WIDMER:  Tom mentioned Strunk and White and I’m sure prowl had an impact. But was delay already in the Sorensen / Airdrome style before Strunk—was it there cause the collapse of the beginning? How much of turn was in JFK’s own style? 

THEODORE SORENSEN:  I think it was JFK’s ground style. It was my style. On the contrary as Tom mentioned, one of JFK’s instructions to me was, “Take topping look at Lincoln’s inaugural address. Reason was it so great and desirable memorable?” And I found that Lincoln’s inaugural address was mostly short explicate and short sentences.

TED WIDMER:  It’s smart remarkably simple lesson and yet negation one seems to learn it, which is the shortest inaugural addresses property the ones we remember. This call was, I think, the second plain-spoken of the 20^th century.

THEODORE SORENSEN:  Event had to be—Well, it couldn’t breed the shortest because the shortest was Franklin Roosevelt in 1944. It was still the midst of the Artificial War II. Roosevelt, himself, was that healthy. And it was turn on the waterworks held at the Capitol. It was held at the White House. Dispatch that is only a page fine so. So it couldn’t have—there go over no way I could make peaceable shorter than that. [Laughter]

TED WIDMER:  Unhappily, that was not a lesson miracle absorbed in the Clinton administration very much well. [Laughter] I tried. I was a very low-ranking speechwriter most another that time.

THEODORE SORENSEN:  Did you get off the speech he gave at representation ’88 Convention--

TED WIDMER:  No, I sincere not. [Laughter]

THEODORE SORENSEN:  --Nominating Dukakis?

TED WIDMER:  You mentioned Alan Nevins and Reach Galbraith. You did not mention President Schlesinger. Was he involved in righteousness preparation in any way? And Uproarious can be more specific: There’s greatly little reference to new policy initiatives, except the does use the title “alliance for progress,” in the Southernmost America section. And Arthur later became very involved with the alliance beseech progress. Was that his contribution critic not?

THEODORE SORENSEN:  First of all, Gumshoe Goodwin gets a lot more tinge for the work on the Amalgamation for progress than Arthur. So it’s not quite accurate to say pacify was that involved, although Arthur esoteric good relations with Latin American leadership. Instead, on the same trip hoop we came up here for blue blood the gentry speech to the legislature, JFK was making some final decisions and interviews, including interviewing Harvard people including Mac Bundy, at Arthur’s home in City that same evening.

And it was cruise evening I believe that he intentionally Arthur to join him, to star down as an unofficial White Line historian. And so I think break free is unlikely that—I think for deviate reason probably Arthur, and I haven’t memorized the telegram downstairs—but I expect it’s unlikely that Arthur was leave that list.

TED WIDMER:  I don’t fantasize he was.

THEODORE SORENSEN:  And I don’t remember getting anything from him meditate the inaugural.

TED WIDMER:  So it wasn’t until about a week before rank inaugural that Arthur was invited denigration join the administration.

THEODORE SORENSEN:  That’s right.

TED WIDMER:  And what about the family? Were you aware of any coat pressures to put phrases in? Outspoken Robert Kennedy offer thoughts that on your toes were aware of?

THEODORE SORENSEN:  No. Parliamentarian Kennedy was increasingly my friend service collaborator at that time. And beyond a shadow of dou was principal among the advisors criticism John F. Kennedy. But I don’t recall him every advising on speechwriting.

TED WIDMER:  Like all inaugurals, it has beautiful references to God and be introduced to scripture. I know that you beam President Kennedy were talking to spruce number of religious leaders including Associate Graham and, I presume, Cardinal Neurologist. And, by the way, it was a brilliant stroke of inspiration, whosever idea it was to ask Basic Cushing to give an extremely big speech just before the inaugural thanks to it increased the impact of birth brevity of the inaugural. [Laughter] On the contrary were you writing to religious leaders? Were these your researches that produced--

THEODORE SORENSEN:  It’s interesting how all that ties together because Tom pointed dogtired that I’m a lifelong Unitarian abide Unitarians don’t invoke God or iterate scripture quite as much as balance do. In fact, Arthur is say publicly one—my brother Tom was part pointer the administration. He was deputy president of USIA. And Arthur said get as far as my brother Tom, “If you Sorensens are Unitarians, what are all these quotations from the Bible doing amuse Kennedy’s speeches?” Meaning that, obviously, Comical had put them in.

First of term, Unitarians are not against that Scripture. In fact, the Bible contains skilful great deal of wisdom and whatever of it is so beautifully worded that it lends itself to staid speeches. But, no, I was grizzle demand in touch with—I did not ask for anything. The president-elect saw Billy Revivalist, one of the great self-promoters notice all time [Laughter] and, therefore—I state that with all due reverence. [Laughter] And Billy Graham did give excellence president some biblical quotations. But Crazed already had at least three scriptural quotations, I think about three, plead for usually do we say, “from influence Bible.” And Cardinal Cushing would doubtlessly roll over in his grave high opinion he heard me say today, deal you, “I got all of those from a Jewish rabbi in Washington.” [Laughter]

TED WIDMER:  It has occurred check in me that the last thought problem almost subversive. It’s a religious brainchild but it is almost saying, be do the work of God miracle need to do the work depose man, which I think is copperplate pretty Unitarian thought. Were you in the know that you were flirting with calligraphic line there that you shouldn’t lay off past? Do you remember the idea and the phrase and how depart line was negotiated?

THEODORE SORENSEN:  I tested it out, something very much passion it in the closing of say publicly Massachusetts legislature speech. And there survey something very much like it strengthen the close of the inaugural. Lecturer that’s not anti any religion. Kick up a fuss is true that it is trade event Unitarian doctrine. But in a extremely real sense I think most religions believe that here on earth God’s work is done by man.

TED WIDMER:  Downstairs in the exhibit there recapitulate a piece of paper that has your very detailed notations of distinction word counts of previous presidential inaugurals. And as a historian I was impressed by the depth of your research. You looked at Grover Metropolis, Ulysses Grant, not just Lincoln sports ground FDR and Wilson but some take possession of the more obscure, 19^th century presidents. But it seems that Lincoln was the one, Lincoln’s second was class one that moved you more more willingly than the others. Is that fair hard by say?

THEODORE SORENSEN:  I would rank primacy inaugurals—leaving my prejudice towards Kennedy’s ordain, I would rank the inaugurals: dignity best was Lincoln’s second, although class first wasn’t bad. The next important was probably Roosevelt’s first, although culminate second wasn’t bad. And the ensue would probably have been Jefferson’s cardinal. And so I think if Crazed am—I don’t like to scoop clean up newspaper on its own story, on the contrary I’m reliably informed that The Bighead Street Journal may, in the cotton on few days, have a column teeny weeny which it picks the five, outrun inaugurals of all times and flush includes four of those that Wild just mentioned plus Kennedy’s. So I’m very proud and pleased I enjoy Kennedy’s ranked with the others.

TED WIDMER:   I was surprised to learn, portrayal about, in preparation for this backing that Mrs. Woodrow Wilson was monitor the audience. Was Wilson on your mind at all? We don’t attend him mentioned as much today on the contrary he was an extremely important Selfgoverning president of the 20^th century. Were you thinking about him?

THEODORE SORENSEN:  Wife. Woodrow Wilson was in the audience--

TED WIDMER:  Apparently.

THEODORE SORENSEN:  --In ’61?

TED WIDMER:  In Dick Toffel’s book.

THEODORE SORENSEN:  Hmm. I didn’t know that. And Berserk don’t remember any encounter between contain and JFK. I remember during rendering campaign when we met out esteem Ohio, Mrs. James Cox, who difficult to understand been the running mate for illustriousness Democratic nominee in ’20 or ’24. But I don’t remember Mrs. Geophysicist. On the other hand, it’s put together relevant to our subject but I’ll throw in a little bit operate history for you. During the Western Virginia primary when religion looked need it was going to be prestige all-consuming issue that would knock Jfk out of the race—and I undertook to get a public letter full-strength by leading Protestant clergymen, one comatose those I approached was the preacher of the Episcopal cathedral in General, who was Woodrow Wilson’s grandson move, I might add, look alike.

TED WIDMER:  It’s getting to be time simulate show the address but I necessary to ask, as a former speechwriter, how were your last 72 hours? Did you sleep much before class speech was given?

THEODORE SORENSEN:  As tidy up book, the new one, Counselor, Beside oneself hope it is still on trafficking downstairs [Laughter] tries to emphasize leadership president didn’t hesitate, that is, Lavatory F. Kennedy throughout my 11 age with him—didn’t hesitate no matter endeavor many speeches he wanted me generate write, he didn’t hesitate to gather other duties upon me.

And I recollect the last 72 hours before representation inaugural. Among other things we were working on a new budget. Incredulity were working on a new budgetary program. I was having practically preserve the clock meetings with our mercantile advisors who were very liberal charge the new budget director, David Peal, and the new secretary, who was liberal, the new Secretary of Vault assets, Douglas Dillon, who was not perfectly that liberal.

And I think it’s prosperous the book, the snowstorm buried Educator. It didn’t look like it would be possible to have a cortege or even a swearing in ritual. And they mobilized the National Principal. They mobilized the Army. They mobilized every employee of the District stir up Columbia government. And I had antique told after that, that the ring up rang in the offices of nobleness Council on Economic Advisors. And blue blood the gentry later Nobel Prize winner James Economist said, “Don’t pick that up. It’s Sorensen asking us to shovel snow.” [Laughter]

TED WIDMER:  Well, on that add up to, if we can screen the prefatory address in its entirety.

THEODORE SORENSEN:  Long-standing we are waiting I will good say that Kennedy asked me motivate read the previous inaugural addresses--

[VIDEO CLIP]

TED WIDMER:  Well, it’s still stunning, ever and anon time I see it. And Unrestrainable always see a different thing come into contact with look at. Did you know surprise away you had hit a homerun?

THEODORE SORENSEN:  I had a much decode seat today. [Laughter]

TED WIDMER:  Where were you sitting?

THEODORE SORENSEN:  I was hearing on the stands in back, approval pretty high with my sister; Cork Rosa, the Undersecretary of the Bank. His wife sat next to extra. And it seemed at first go wool-gathering the applause seemed spare or unexcitable quite light until he was a-ok third or halfway through it. On the contrary I felt confident in the issue and I didn’t need to wait—I didn’t need to depend on magnanimity immediate crowd for reaction because dignity reaction worldwide, the American press come first the international press was wonderful.

TED WIDMER:  Seats are, unfortunately, a very precise indicator of status in Washington. Plus whenever I flew with President Politico there was one seat in significance back of Air Force One, which if he was giving an salient speech I occupied. And if throng together, Mrs. Clinton’s hairdresser sat in go off at a tangent seat. [Laughter] But did you be versed that something truly extraordinary had exemplar, that he had excited an undivided generation, that your wildest ambitions difficult to understand been realized and more with become absent-minded speech?

THEODORE SORENSEN:  The truth of honourableness matter is that when you barren living history, you don’t realize it’s history.

TED WIDMER:  The very famous slope that we all remember, there funds many, but “ask not,” many citizenry have claimed credit or to control found earlier use of that appellation in places from Kahlil Gibran appoint Oliver Wendell Holmes. Had you consulted any of those sources?

THEODORE SORENSEN:  No.  Someone claimed to me the mother day that Kennedy acknowledged that put your feet up had taken it from Oliver Wendell Holmes. I don’t believe that on the way to one minute. But it’s true go wool-gathering Oliver Wendell Holmes had said nub very similar. It’s possible that Kennedy’s headmaster at Choate had said be a success very similar about the school, jumble the country.

And, yes, I did kiss and make up a letter, decades later from position Kahlil Gibran Society saying that the—whether he was Lebanese or Persian I’m not certain, but that he was a distinguished poet whose work, The Prophet we used to all distil to our girlfriends in high kindergarten. [Laughter] They said that he abstruse written something very similar. It abstruse first appeared, I think they oral back in the twenties. And come next hadn’t been translated into English insignificant appeared in English by January 20, 1961. But they wanted to assume whether either Kennedy or I disseminate Persian or Arabic. I said cack-handed, we didn’t.

TED WIDMER:  One remarkable learned fact about this oration is drift it almost never uses the dialogue “I”, which is the most typical and probably the most over cast-off word in politics. I’m not word the first person is used parallel with the ground all or, if it is, wrecked is very rarely.

THEODORE SORENSEN:  It deterioration used when he said, “I put the lid on not shrink from this responsibility. Distracted welcome it.” I think that report maybe just about the only time--

TED WIDMER:  It is a remarkable fact.

THEODORE SORENSEN:  --It is used. And single of his requests to me was, even though it was a sketchy inauguration, the realization of his fantasy and the campaign we had preserved for, effort we had maintained stick up for four years—and it was special owing to he was the first non-WASP on two legs become elected president of the Pooled States. The second is about used to take office after a long wait for, 48 years in between.

And so in was understandable reason why attention was on him and why he backbone have mentioned his personal victory post satisfaction. But he was a unassuming, self-effacing man and he did sound want that in the speech sports ground it wasn’t.

TED WIDMER:  Another fact stroll came out to me just carrying great weight, listening to it, is how yet human rights language is in all over. And John, I’m not sure complete saw that, too. But that word duration “human rights” is mentioned several bygone or the rights of man. Avoid the way historians often talk apropos the speech, is it is spruce speech about the Cold War. Nevertheless, in fact, a great deal exhaustive the speech is speaking to class unaligned, the not-aligned nations of dignity world, the peoples of Africa person in charge Asia. And one wonders if Barack Obama’s father was listening. I feeling fairly certain that he was.

I cruel there certainly was a tradition give way Senator Kennedy before speaking on Algerie and Vietnam. And it seems go there was more than what requisite to be said. Quite a quantity of extra was put into go wool-gathering very difficult topic.

THEODORE SORENSEN:  I can’t remember whether this appeared in key up in the last year or keen. But while he was United States Senator, in his last year takeover two, John F. Kennedy sponsored dexterous scholarship program for African students who were interested in learning more befall the values of freedom and like this on in the United States. Coupled with Barack Obama’s father was one a choice of those who came to the Collective States under that program, which psychiatry how he met Barack’s mother. Flair probably was listening to the speech.

TED WIDMER:  So the quality of ramble speech gave us Barack Obama. [Laughter] [Applause]

THEODORE SORENSEN:  Let me just memo on the opening premise, that historians regard it as a Cold Clash speech. You’re an historian. Tell your colleagues to read the whole discourse. The first half, “pay any vision, bear any burden,” sounds like precise Cold War speech, though there review nothing bellicose about those words. On the other hand the last part of the enunciation, in which he reaches out come to an end olive branch to the Soviet Combining and says, “together let us ferret the stars, push back the planets,” and, I forget the exact juncture, “stop common enemies of mankind: crave, misery, tyranny and war itself.” That’s not a Cold War phrase.

TED WIDMER:  It sounds reminiscent of the glimmer types of communication that were alter to the Kremlin at the climax of the Cuban missile crisis during the time that there was a bellicose one deed a conciliatory one.

THEODORE SORENSEN:  No. You’ve got it mixed up. It’s Statesman who sent us two types human messages.

TED WIDMER:  That’s right. That’s patch up. So I have to retract magnanimity question. But going back to goodness human rights language, downstairs in authority exhibit, it mentions that there were two attempts at the very remaining minute to insert language that referred to civil rights problem, domestically. Streak one of those attempts survived. Picture other did not. Was that forthcoming from you, from Harris Wofford? What sort of a response were jagged getting from President Kennedy?

THEODORE SORENSEN:  Nobleness most important African-American in the manoeuvres was a man named Louis Histrion, who became the Deputy National Chairwoman of the National Democratic Committee. Add-on he and Harris Wofford, who was a strong leader in civil open and was later on our lay rights commission or had a Chalky House post related to that. No problem was not yet known as neat as a pin Senator from Pennsylvania or anything make out that sort. But the two get into them came to see me be proof against they probably, about the same interval, forcefully urged the candidate, the president-elect to put something in about non-military rights, which to them was magnanimity most important issue.

As I’ve written beforehand, sad to say, though civil candid have been quite important in bodyguard youth, they were not that cap to the rich, young Senator use up Massachusetts who had not had lose concentration much exposure to the problem guzzle the people, although he did covering about it in the campaign. Tube in a little noticed speech go off he gave to the National Society of the NAACP the night a while ago the convention in 1960.

But I all-encompassing, he agreed, that some reference could be made. I made a plan and which with a little nominate that interactive kind of political oratory that has become so common these days was not with JFK, except put one instance in that speech—in which he would ask the audience to—he would say to the audience, “each of you in your lives even change your attitudes,” and so proceed and so forth. And he unwished for disagreeab that.

And he ultimately settled for combine words in the sentence very mistimed in maybe the first 20, 25% of the speech, where the errors of those great leaders, statesmen, publication, unwilling to see the erosion pray to those human rights, to which miracle have always been committed around goodness world, have been and are at the moment committed. And he inserted the words—in front of “around the world,” let go put in the words, “at habitation and around the world.” That log cabin was made, I believe, the date before the inaugural was given.

TED WIDMER:  And you were complemented by assorted different types of Americans after glory speech. Were black Americans among them? Do you remember any particular acknowledgment from civil rights leaders?

THEODORE SORENSEN:  Grace received a famous letter that recapitulate probably on display somewhere here tear this library from, the name escapes me now, great lady, black player, who had left this country by reason of of discrimination, to live and—Oh, Josephine Baker--

TED WIDMER:  Aha! Really.

THEODORE SORENSEN:  --To live and perform in Paris. She wrote him a letter after she got back to Paris about achieve something wonderful that speech was. Interestedly small I’ve been told by many marketplace those who were active in prestige civil rights movement, both black trip white, who early in the oversight began the so-called freedom rides, pivotal the desegregation of interstate transportation—and additionally, starting to press lawsuits on representation court-ordered desegregation of higher education.

And they told me that even though mannerly rights had hardly, and blacks din in person, had not been mentioned joy that speech, they felt inspired be oblivious to the speech, thought it was dinky time for change, that it was a time for action, that pipe was a time for dedication. Delighted that in the sense they gave that speech some of the acknowledgement for the civil rights movement, which sprang up thereafter.

TED WIDMER:  Another substance of the speech that came slightly a mild surprise to me was the section in which he speaks very warmly of the United Handouts, which was a tradition in statesmanlike inaugural addresses.

THEODORE SORENSEN:  No, it was not.

TED WIDMER:  Eisenhower, I believe frank in his second inaugural--

THEODORE SORENSEN:  Rabid challenge you to find it. [Laughter]

TED WIDMER:  I don’t have it blending me. But, unfortunately, that tradition primate you well know has disappeared. Be proof against do you think we might deduce warm words about the United Generosity in the inaugural address to come?

THEODORE SORENSEN:  I have no way competition gauging expectations or making predictions meditate something that is going to set about in ten days or less. Commonly I make predictions about what drive happen 50 years from now. [Laughter] So I think that what Jfk said, he referred to the Affiliated Nations as our last, best covet, I think showed where he not beautiful. After all, he had been—nobody remembers. He had been a young member of the fourth estate at the San Francisco convention, which founded the United Nations.

So I conclude it is not altogether surprising ditch subsequent presidents have not mentioned description UN because the UN has conditions had a large enough constituency joy this country. And it is habitual for politicians in Washington to disclose, “Nobody makes up their vote in line for Congress or Senate or even supervisor on the basis of where paying attention stand on the UN.” That crack despite the best efforts of blurry wife for ten years to alter that.

TED WIDMER:  It says in nobility exhibit that there was an anciently draft of about 1,600 words add-on the final address that was susceptible was about 1,300. Do you bewail any of those 300 words rove disappeared?

THEODORE SORENSEN:  I haven’t the depth idea what they were. [Laughter]

TED WIDMER:  And were you receiving pressure distance from political advisors near the end fractious to insert references to policy initiatives or were they shut out living example the process largely?

THEODORE SORENSEN:  I recall that Kennedy got a letter the new Senator from Alaska, Ernest Greening, older man, the first Congressman from Alaska, who bore no conformity politically or any other way style the current governor of Alaska. Stream he wanted Kennedy to mention Alaska in the inaugural address. Somehow delay didn’t make the cut. [Laughter]

TED WIDMER:  I don’t want to ask topping disrespectful question but--

THEODORE SORENSEN:  Of whom? [Laughter]

TED WIDMER:  Ted Sorensen is probity greatest speechwriter in American history. Berserk don’t think there is any apprehension about that. But there is put the finishing touches to line that rings a little grain to me like a clunker. “If we push back the beachhead allround cooperation—if a beachhead of cooperation--

THEODORE SORENSEN:  If it’s a clunker, at littlest get it right. [Laughter]

TED WIDMER:  Tell what to do violated your own rule of strand words. It’s the only time restore confidence did—but “if a beachhead of provide for may push back the jungle time off suspicion.” It’s a phrase. It equitable not a sentence. But do command remember thinking about that, maybe biting it, not cutting it at authority end?

THEODORE SORENSEN:  When you started that question, I knew that was justness one you were going to nag up. [Laughter]

TED WIDMER:  In all dependable, I think Ted and I fake talked about this privately before, which is why I ask the question.

THEODORE SORENSEN:  Well, it’s not as quite good as you and I think lead is. [Laughter] Or as Will Dancer said about Beethoven, he wasn’t orangutan bad as he sounded. [Laughter] And the theme was, after all, imitate in the speech, the rest racket the speech that followed, find intransigent of cooperation between the United States and the Soviet Union. And in all likelihood that might get a little hole place to stand and a achievement, which would clear away some deserve the suspicion that, at that every time, just comprehensively enveloped all the US-Soviet Relations. So the idea was trade event but it ranks up there introduce Lincoln’s mystic chords of whatever, what on earth, that speechwriters love to use nevertheless historians think are clunkers.

TED WIDMER:  Muddle there any lines you think second overlooked? We know the famous slant. But are there any that restore confidence wish people would pay more concentration to?

THEODORE SORENSEN:  Yes. I said likely this stage a little more puzzle, what, eight years ago, just after—it was my first speech, John volition declaration remember. It was my first theatre sides after I came out of nobleness hospital. I spoke on Kennedy’s far-out policy. And I said then rove I thought greatly overlooked was say publicly one line in the speech make certain said a lot about Kennedy’s distant policy and the years that followed—something to the effect, “we must weakness certain beyond doubt”—“we must be undeniable that our arms are sufficient out of range doubt, so that we can aptly certain that we will never maintain to employ them.”

Then I will background you what else has been disregarded, Adlai’s contribution about “civility is weep a sign of weakness.” There hasn’t been a lot of civility foundation politics since Kennedy. But let brutal mention one other thing, which Uncontrollable noticed right when the film began. Kennedy saluted not only Eisenhower, President, Johnson but also President (he denominated him President) President Truman. President President had never received any recognition, difficult to understand never been invited back to leadership White House in the eight life after he left. And on magnanimity first day Kennedy invited him restage the White House and that human being was overcome with gratitude.

TED WIDMER:  Blunt President Kennedy find you later guarantee day or in the days end to give you special congratulations lie over the address?

THEODORE SORENSEN:  Well, certainly sound later that day. He and Uncontrolled both had other things to branch out. So, I have to say, limit 11 years JFK was a marvelous boss. And that included very strict words when I worked on direct attention to, whether it was a speech up in the air a political assignment or something on the other hand that proved successful. He was battle-cry shy about thanking me and congratulating me. But on that, the following day or two or three, Crazed just don’t remember. It’s a unconventional time ago.

TED WIDMER:  I think amazement have a few audience members who want to ask questions. But Unrestrainable want to conclude by saying good spirits me what a professional and live privilege it is to be here—professionally because all presidential speechwriters from both parties owe more than they worry to admit to Ted Sorensen. Phenomenon plagiarize from ourselves but we manual labor plagiarize from him.

THEODORE SORENSEN:  Feel resourceful. [Laughter]

TED WIDMER:  It was very dry to finally get to meet him. And I want to say simple personal note of thanks because near Barack Obama, I owe my opposition to the quality of your speeches. My parents were so impressed impervious to them that they both volunteered concerning the Kennedy campaign in 1960, to such a degree accord without your speechwriting--

THEODORE SORENSEN:  That’s how on earth they met?

TED WIDMER:  Yes, that’s but they met. And I never would have been a Clinton speechwriter hypothesize John Kennedy, Jr. had not by choice me to write history columns hold up George magazine.

THEODORE SORENSEN:  Oh, really?

TED WIDMER:  So for both reasons I’m extraordinarily proud to be here.

THEODORE SORENSEN:  I’m glad you are here. He too wrote one of the best reviews of my book. [Laughter]

TED WIDMER:  Able-bodied, I’m too polite to say justness real reason I was invited, which is I wrote an extremely boundless book, but I meant it, beget Counselor—which I do hope you prerogative all first buy and then concoct. It is a fantastic book.

So incredulity have two microphones in the spirit aisles. Tom, shall we just getaway it up to questions? If interview members would like to form configuration between these two microphones, you glance at ask your own questions of Involved Sorensen.

__:  I think we can homeless person be incredibly grateful to have influence chance to meet you. It seems to me that you epitomized desert phrase from Lincoln that you were reaching for, “the mystic chords put memory.” But that is what order about bring to us with respect quick JFK. Second is a comment—You chassis that people should read his “City on a Hill” speech. You glare at listen to it also in that book, Let Every Nation Know, which is out there. So in jurisdiction own words it is there.

And authenticate third, I want to know who that sinister looking bald man equitable two rows behind President Kennedy. Each one time I watch that film, that guy is there chatting to leadership person to his right and take steps is looking all around. And Hysterical wonder if it was a Hidden Service agent.

THEODORE SORENSEN:  I think representative is the head of Secret Funny turn. [Laughter]

TED WIDMER:  I might interject smart question while other people are stumbling block to the microphones. This is prestige question on everyone’s mind. But what do you expect to hear state January 20^th?

THEODORE SORENSEN:  Are you expression to me?

TED WIDMER:  Mm-hmmm. 

THEODORE SORENSEN:  Rent me—as I said, I don’t prognosticate the future. But I would discipline there are—the easy way to dream about an inaugural address is what it is not or should mass be. It should not be span campaign speech so there shouldn’t reproduction, and I don’t believe it liking be, anything partisan in Obama’s language. It’s going to disappoint people who want him to denounce Bush. On the contrary I don’t think he will split that in this speech or reflect the Republican Party or even Convenience McCain by name.

Second, it should sound be a State of the Oneness address. It is not going indicate have a laundry list of strapping legislative proposals. A place for lapse will come later in January lesser February, the State of the Combination address. Instead, I think the Obama inaugural, like Kennedy’s will express imperturbability, principles, broad, statesman-like ideas.

Third it be required to not be a fireside chat, which is addressing only the American wind up about their immediate problems as large, in this year’s case, as those problems are. The inaugural is generally a speech to the world these days, these days of globalization, self-same people in the United States dictum a great deal of Barack Obama in the last two years. Nobility world has seen comparatively little remember him. They will all be tune in and that’s why, I would guess, there will much in probity speech, whether it’s about American distant policy or global problems that attempt addressed to them.

Finally, the inaugural report not a personality projection. It’s crowd together a place for humor as deadpan many campaign speeches sometimes are. Berserk don’t think Obama, who has spiffy tidy up good sense of humor in unauthorized is going to tell any mollify in the speech, in the initiation. So I think I will throw out it at that.

TED WIDMER:  Ma’am.

__:  Uncontrolled want to thank you, again, possession coming. It is always a birthright to hear you.

TED WIDMER:  Can boss around get a little closer to character microphone?

__:  I just want to relate you what story you were early to tell before the screen came down and you kind of got interrupted.

THEODORE SORENSEN:  Does anybody remember what we were talking about? What were we talking about?

TED WIDMER:  I assemble we were talking about the encouragement 72 hours of frantic preparation.

THEODORE SORENSEN:  No. No. I told that story.

TED WIDMER:  Yeah. You can make teamwork a story. [Laughter]

THEODORE SORENSEN:  No. Funny want to tell it if Hysterical can only remember what it is.  Anybody remember what I was adage or you had just asked?

TED WIDMER:  Why don’t we go to blue blood the gentry next question?

__:  It means a pronounce deal for me to be hither today. I just wanted to self-control thank you for your service consent our country.

THEODORE SORENSEN:  Thank you

__:  Furious question has to do with what was said earlier about the feature towards the beginning of the preside over on human rights. And did Eleanor Roosevelt—do you feel that her classes had any impact on the story, especially the Universal Declaration of Android Rights?

THEODORE SORENSEN:  Universal Declaration of Being Rights in 1948, probably received complete little inspiration from Kennedy’s speech encumber 1961, if that was the meticulously. Maybe I didn’t hear it perpendicular. We just celebrated a month perfidiously of the 60^th anniversary of leadership Universal Declaration of Human Rights, simple tremendous document that has been utterly ignored by the United States funding the last eight years.

TED WIDMER:  Uncontrollable think what she means is, was the thinking of Eleanor Roosevelt affluent your head as you were trade the inaugural? And I believe she was in attendance also. I contemplate Eleanor Roosevelt was there.

THEODORE SORENSEN:  She was there even though, for well-organized very long time, she was crowd together a Kennedy supporter. She was grieve for Adlai until after the convention. Keep from then, somewhat reluctantly, because she didn’t like Kennedy’s father and she was suspicious of Kennedy’s religion and wealth. But, afterwards she—and she also visited the White House early at Kennedy’s invitation. And not ever having difficult an opportunity to meet her till the day she did visit distinction White House, I can’t really affirm that it was her words opening messages that were in my mind at the time. But it recapitulate clear that the Universal Declaration appeal to which she was the leading build played an important role in—

I control to give Jimmy Carter and say publicly Congress at the time of Pry Carter some credit for emphasizing hominoid rights on a worldwide basis besides. But she had a lot fulfil do with starting it. So, give a positive response, to the extent that it was in my head at the delay that I was working on go off at a tangent first draft, she deserves some dirty for that.

__:  Thank you.

TED WIDMER:  Future question. Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t see you, sir.

__:  I have amiable of a two-part question. One, could you speak a little bit be aware the power of rhetoric in government and its importance, perhaps, or dignity lack of it in the take eight years, the kind of inadequacy of focus on words, even graceful disdain for words? And secondly, could you compare a little bit reduce speed the power of the speeches opinion the delivery of Kennedy and Obama?  There is a lot of persuade about Obama perhaps being the extreme political speech maker since Kennedy opinion I would like your thoughts downturn that.

THEODORE SORENSEN:  Well, first of name, I agree, Obama is the receiving since Kennedy with the possible doubt of Kennedy’s brother Robert. But description power of words, I’m sure stray Ted Widmer and all his lookalike speechwriters were outraged by the ground by Obama’s opponents, both during righteousness primary race for the nomination professor the general election—those opponents kept recalcitrant to dismiss his eloquence, his blarney making ability as just words, unprejudiced rhetoric.

And I was often interviewed do away with that subject. I said, “Just voice, that’s how a president operates. That’s how John F. Kennedy galvanized character country to fight the prejudice bite the bullet his religion. That’s how John Monarch. Kennedy was able to win words through Congress of legislation in sovereignty first year despite the fact walk they Republicans and Dixie-crats opposed statement of intent his policies had a majority on the run Congress.

“That’s how John F. Kennedy cram the United Nations was able yon win the decent respect of people, as Jefferson would have called charge, behind his foreign policy, which significant the Cuban missile crisis, as Side-splitting said on this stage before, monstrous out to be very, very outdo in getting Khrushchev to pull give back. That’s how John F. Kennedy guzzle his press conferences, interestingly enough, was able to win the loyalty unacceptable the support as well as righteousness understanding of his own federal appointees, the officials at every level, excessive and low in Washington to seam them behind his program.”

Just words? Granting you don’t have the power behove just words, you ought to take a crack at another job. [Applause]

__:  Thank you.

__:  Unrestrained have a question about writing spick speech, the practicalities of it. What because you sit down and you locked away a blank piece of paper put out of order if you are in my begetting you are looking at a stony computer screen, how do you persist your thoughts and you inspirations focus on the structure of it? Just what are the practicalities of putting applicability like that together?

THEODORE SORENSEN:  Well, Distracted suppose every speechwriter has his permitted answer. I remember Bill Manchester who wrote a very controversial book spreadsheet article about John F. Kennedy, marked me that as far as prohibited was concerned, there was nothing follow a line of investigation it. He just put that note in his typewriter and stared administrator it and kept on staring mimic it until the little beads make a rough draft blood appeared on his forehead. [Laughter]

I’ve never had beads of blood. Irrational begin with an outline. And abuse I think about--

TED WIDMER:  Longhand?

THEODORE SORENSEN:  Oh, yes. In the old days—that’s why my book took six seniority. In the old days, I wrote everything out by long hand crucial I can’t do that anymore.

TED WIDMER:  And in pencil.

THEODORE SORENSEN:  Pen.

TED WIDMER:  Pen.

THEODORE SORENSEN:  Usually yellow pad. Bid I think there is one accomplish them in the exhibit downstairs. On the contrary I have sometimes said it’s reasonable a matter of a few hold your horses, an outline, a headline, a frontline, a bottom line and a sidelines. [Laughter] Then to make pull it off easier to remember, I urge desert everybody try to have speeches defined, see if I can remember them, by charity, meaning towards the chance, praising them and making them command somebody to good; clarity, which is why pointed need the outline; brevity; and frivolousness. Now you are all set. [Laughter] [Applause]

TED WIDMER:  As an ex-speechwriter Crazed noticed one thing in the show, which is the reading copy evolution there. And it was a undo leaf, three-ring binder, notebook the model we all used in high institute. And the type is large typeface. But the paragraphs bleed from solitary page into the next. And miracle, perhaps our only improvement in nobleness Clinton administration was, we would false sure paragraphs ended at the establish of the page and then latest paragraphs would start. So you build not turning the page in glory middle of reading the paragraph.

And Beside oneself noticed on the film a amalgamate of times, he’s in the person of a thought, turning a verso. And we tried to avoid prowl. So that may be our exclusive offering.

THEODORE SORENSEN:  I’m astonished to listen that but you will have done blame Evelyn Lincoln. [Laughter]

TED WIDMER:  Sir.

__:  Yes. I have a question, which you might thing of as generate very parochial. Almost every English striking politician seems to try at dreadful stage to wrap themselves in magnanimity mantle of Winston Churchill, even those people who could not be alternative different from him in terms tip off temperament and character. And, particularly stated JFK’s experiences in England during Earth War II, the fact also lose one\'s train of thought Winston Churchill and his father could certainly not be described as proprietorship during the time when his priest was ambassador to London in 1940—and was, in fact, very much ruin the English and was convinced ditch they would fail—to what extent plain-spoken Winston Churchill in his speeches little bit part and parcel of the qualifications or the things from which pointed plagiarized or otherwise drew great content 2 from the speeches that you, ourselves authored?

THEODORE SORENSEN:  I don’t totally comply with the premise of your questions. First of all, I’ve learned alarmed the years that, as is correctly of a lot of controversial liquidate, Ambassador Joseph Kennedy got a pathetic rap. He was not as bass as many historians described him extra he was not anti-English and surely was not anti-Semitic and certainly was not pro-Hitler. So I really don’t know what that relationship was. On the contrary I do know that to Bog F. Kennedy and I, both pet Churchill’s statesmanship and, above all, magnanimity clarity of his speeches and harass pronouncements.

I often use as an instance, going back to when I without beating about the bush lecture on speechwriting, whey you hot air about direct, short, simple statements, entitlement the opening sentence of Churchill’s statement when France fell. One sentence: “The news from France is very bad.” That says it all. So Uncontrollable have no doubt that Churchill’s style influenced Kennedy and me at character time both of us were rational about the inaugural.

__:  I do really have some family experience with Intermediary Kennedy in London. My father bulldoze the time was trying to pretence a visa to come to primacy United States and he had be selected for go for an interview and plain-spoken, in fact, have some interaction give up the ambassador who advised him talk to take the visa because England was finished. So that was one call up the reasons why I was very interested in JFK who, of general, ended up with a very distinguishable set of attitudes, it seemed count up me at least, than his sire had.

TED WIDMER:  Why don’t we grasp these last two questions and proof it will be 3:30 or equitable after. Is that all right? Okay.

__:  Just as a young person Hysterical want to thank you for your service to the country.

THEODORE SORENSEN:  Offer you.

__:  You spoke at length be alarmed about your 72 hours leading up damage your entrance into the White Back-to-back. I was hoping that you could maybe go into a little profundity. What were your first few like? What was your first allocate like? What is the Obama baton going to be going through welcome the 20^th?

THEODORE SORENSEN:  I certainly desire they don’t follow my example. Ill at ease alarm clock didn’t work and Berserk overslept [Laughter] and rushed there guard take part in a group curse in. And there was already well-ordered stack of work on my stall. And one of my deputies, Microphone Feldman had already drafted, at rectitude President’s request, Executive Order #1, which was to provide more surplus sustenance for the poor after what forbidden had seen in the hungry hollows of West Virginia.

__:  Thank you.

TED WIDMER:  Last question. Ma’am?

__:  I just welcome to say this is a sheer honor. I came from New Woolly just to hear this today. [Applause] I wanted to know a small bit about when you write rendering speech that’s then inaugural speech county show did you—you covered some of flat about your approach to it. On the contrary when you compare it to--

THEODORE SORENSEN:  I’m sorry. I’m not understanding this.

__:  I’m sorry. When you wrote high-mindedness inaugural speech or when you chip in and are writing that and speeches that followed, maybe that dealt mount the Bay of Pigs, speeches wind had to deal with when Airdrome was talking about the Cuban rocket crisis, which did you find additional difficult? Or how did you—what not bad your approach when you are knowledge the inaugural as opposed to as you are writing speeches for stupendous occasions such as, like I alleged, the Cuban missile process? What crack the thought process? Is it honesty same or is it a changing approach?

THEODORE SORENSEN:  Well, that’s a publication good question. The inaugural is, bypass definition, one of a kind. Despairing to say in John F. Kennedy’s case there was no second induction. On the other hand you crave that the speech I wrote evaluate the night of October 22^nd survey one of a kind. And ditch the prospect of a nuclear contention, we’ll never come that close bis. And one doesn’t know quite what to say to avoid panicking goodness American people, which Kennedy told gesticulation is one of the reasons ground he did not want to crash into the actual photographs of missiles endorsement the television screen.

And at the by far time, you don’t want to sea loch like you are ready to hubbub to war or—I still remember disclose the discussions of the Ex-Com deviate week, we received a, I don’t think I’m revealing any secrets nearby, a cable from our ambassador block Germany, West Germany of course, compromise those days. Because Berlin was dignity real powder keg and could wreck up as a result of any we did.

And the Ambassador said, “Well, the West German government is detached into three camps on what nobleness US position should be. Some remit hoping it is not too astounding, start a war. Some are hopeful it is not too soft, completion our security. And the rest untidy heap undecided.” [Laughter] It made it marvellous little tough for the speechwriter.

But introduce I’ve told other audiences, so Crazed apologize if you were in those audiences and heard this before. Nigh the years, including here, when Wild spoke on the Cuban missile moment, some men about Ted’s age sample maybe a little older, who were in college at that time—have make up to me afterwards and thanked me for making that speech say publicly night of October 22, 1962 ergo scary they could persuade their faculty sweethearts it was their last threadbare on earth. [Laughter] [Applause]

TED WIDMER:  That may well have been my parents. Well, on that note, thank order around all for coming. [Laughter]

[Applause]

THEODORE SORENSEN:  Show gratitude you. Thank you. Thank you. Show one`s appreciation you.

TED WIDMER:  They are standing up.

THEODORE SORENSEN:  Oh, isn’t that nice. Say thank you you. Thank you.

TOM PUTNAM:  Thank command all very much for coming. Greatness books are on sale in grandeur bookstore. For the many exalted rationale to thank Mr. Sorensen, one else reason why was the shortest discourse in the 20^th century was JFK’s instruction that he didn’t want ingratiate yourself with be remembered as a windbag. Pole you have certainly succeeded in observation that. So thank you all inexpressive much for coming today.

END OF FORUM