We merely do not run for office, but we also seek to establish a basic point, that what this country is now doing is not good enough.
John Fitzgerald Kennedy
The Public Record
John Fitzgerald Kennedy was the 35th President of the United States, serving from January 20, 1961, until his assassination on November 22, 1963. A member of the Democratic Party, he was born in Massachusetts and is often remembered for his leadership during the Cuban Missile Crisis, which brought the world to the brink of nuclear war. Kennedy also established the Peace Corps, promoting international service and cooperation, and he advocated for civil rights, laying the groundwork for future legislation in this area.
But if you hold the view, whether you are a farmer, whether you are an industrial worker, whether you are a citizen, whether you have children in school who want and need a good education, whether you have a view of the United States as…
Now, you have to make a judgment whether you consider that policy to be in your interest.
I believe that the decline in agricultural income is the most difficult and important domestic problem facing the United States, both because of its effect on farmers and because of its effect on industry.
So I come to London, Ohio, and I come to this Republican community, and I come here without any hesitation at all in asking your support.
I call upon Mr. Nixon to reconsider his refusal and permit the American people another opportunity to hear us discuss issues.
But I say that what hurts the farmer, the small businessman, the homeowner, and the schoolteacher hurts the country.
How can the next administration so provide an atmosphere for our economy where our country begins to move ahead, where our people work, where our facilities are used, particularly at a time when machines are taking the jobs of men?
I have expressed my willingness to rearrange my schedule to go anywhere in the country to hold this debate.
We are going to have to provide an economy, an atmosphere and leadership which will provide full employment for our people.
I am delighted to be here today and whether you came as Democrats, Republicans, independents, convinced, unconvinced, I do appreciate the chance to speak with you.
For economic growth is the spring from which there flow high living standards and all public services, including defense.
I come to you today as the Democratic candidate for President in 1960.
This country cannot settle for being first, if; first, but; first, when; first, maybe.