My judgment is that I would attend, but I would not attempt to advise the President or criticize him for not attending.

We are going to carry this campaign to all parts of the United States, in order to show the American people that this country cannot possibly afford 4 more years of Republican leadership.

My basic belief is that this country is not satisfied to live in a period of relative decline.

This rally marks the official beginning of the 1960 presidential campaign.

I am a candidate for the office of the President.

I believe that history will write a different story.

One by one the States of New England, which 30 years ago were all Republican - Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, then Maine - began to move into the Democratic column until now there stands only two States, New Hampshire and Vermont, and they are going Democratic in November.

But these are problems which leadership and vision - and faith in the people of New England - can conquer.

We cannot rely upon the stability of the industrial giants - or the advantages of cheap fuel, cheap labor, or cheap transportation costs.

I do not accept the idea at all that New England is finished.

That is what we are going to do in the future.