Political Quotes

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.

Quotes by year · 195819635,591 total · peak 1962 (1810)
1958: 1 quote1959: 1 quote1960: 1,690 quotes1961: 700 quotes1962: 1,810 quotes1963: 1,389 quotes
Oct 2, 1960

Within our own Nation we must also give real leadership to the many moral and economic problems that face a large number of our citizens.

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Oct 2, 1960

I believe this Government cannot endure permanently half slave and half free.

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Oct 2, 1960

The world must know that America's Chief Executive, as well as its Congress, fully support and endorse the Supreme Court's decisions to translate civil rights from a slogan into a reality that can be enjoyed by all.

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Oct 2, 1960

I have served in the Congress for 14 years, and during a good percentage of that time I served on the Veterans' Committee of the Senate, so I have some understanding of the importance of this hospital, the services it performs, the…

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Oct 2, 1960

Next year a Democratic Congress will pass a good area redevelopment bill.

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Oct 2, 1960

When we stand still they begin to wonder whether the world is moving in the direction of the Communists.

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Oct 2, 1960

It is the President of the United States that can set the goals for the country in housing, minimum wage, social security, unemployment compensation, and in equality of rights for all Americans, regardless of their race or color.

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Oct 1, 1960

They say they have never done so much, and I say we can do more.

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Oct 1, 1960

But observing the content of Mr. Nixon's campaign, I have no hesitation in returning the compliment.

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Oct 1, 1960

I have confidence in our ability to close the missile gap, to modernize our conventional forces, and to give this country the kind of defensive strength it needs to stop the next war before it starts.

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Oct 1, 1960

I have confidence in this Nation's ability to look out for its older citizens - to see that they have a decent pension, a decent home, and decent medical care.

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Oct 1, 1960

Parity income should be the yardstick of equity for the farmers.

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Oct 1, 1960

I have confidence in an America where the farmer does not have to be a second-class citizen - where he can obtain through Government help the same share of the national income and the same kind of bargaining power and the same return on…

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Oct 1, 1960

I think we should hold out the hands of friendship and I think the bread we float on the water will come back to us, many times over in the coming years.

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Oct 1, 1960

They say we have never had it so good, and we say we can do better.

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Oct 1, 1960

Last Thursday night in Boston Mr. Nixon dismissed me as, and I will quote him, 'another Truman.'

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Oct 1, 1960

What has been good enough in the past will not be good enough in the 1960's.

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Oct 1, 1960

The problems that American agriculture faces I believe is the No.1 domestic problem.

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Oct 1, 1960

If men and women are in chains, anywhere in the world, then freedom is endangered everywhere.

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Oct 1, 1960

If there is one principle that has stood out in the career of Senator Stuart Symington, it is the principle that to protect individual liberties you must be strong as a nation.

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Oct 1, 1960

I cannot believe that the American people are going to say in 1960 that we have never had it so good, and we want more of the same.

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Oct 1, 1960

The American economy is interdependent, and a decline in one area inevitably brings a decline in another.

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Oct 1, 1960

Only through action - not through mere words - is it possible for us in this generation to repay the debt which we owe to Casimir Pulaski and the patriots of his day.

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Politicians like John Fitzgerald Kennedy