JACQUELINE KENNEDY, HISTORIC CONVERSATIONS: THE THIRD CONVERSATION II
Knoxville, Tennessee (JFK+50) Today JFK+50 continues our report on the third conversation from "Jacqueline Kennedy, Historic Conversations on Life with John F. Kennedy", published by Hyperion.
The third conversation was recorded on March 4, 1964.
Arthur Schlesinger asks Jacqueline Kennedy if JFK ever got depressed.
She answered:
When his back would bother him for days & "he couldn't shake it, then he'd get very low, but just because of that."
Schlesinger then asked "Did it trouble him much during the (1960) campaign?"
Jackie says:
"No...he had the best health in the world (then). I think the reason was he was doing so much...he was never in better health or spirits...."
Mr. Schlesinger asks about her feelings about the (Kennedy-Nixon) debates.
Mrs. Kennedy replies:
"I just couldn't believe it. That really changed everything. I was so glad that it was just so obvious. Because you could see he'd won it."
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Kennedy-Nixon Debate
National Park Service Photo
Schlesinger wanted to know how JFK "seemed" on Election day.
Jackie says:
"Sort of restless, but quiet. He went to bed about 4 (a.m. & when he woke up) there was still no news. It was about noon or 1 o'clock that the word finally came. When it came, what could you do? We hugged each other."*
*The Kennedys were at "the Compound" at Hyannis Port.
Home of Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr.
Hyannis Port, Massachusetts
Photo by Cecil Stoughton
National Park Service (1972)**
**The Kennedy Compound is located on 6 acres overlooking Nantucket Sound. The property includes the homes of Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr. & John & Robert Kennedy.
