JFK INTERVIEWED BY HUNTLEY-BRINKLEY
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On September 9, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was interviewed in the Oval Office by NBC News anchors David Brinkley* and Chet Huntley**.
The interview, which was videotaped, was telecast on the newly expanded "Huntley-Brinkley Report" on NBC television that evening. President Kennedy began the interview by saying...
"This country has done an outstanding job. A good many countries today are free that would not be free. Communism's gains...have been limited, and I think the balance of power still rests with the West..."
Chet Huntley asked...
"In respect to our difficulties in South Vietnam, could it be that our Government tends occasionally to get locked into a policy...and then finds it difficult to alter...that policy?"
The President responded...
"Yes, that is true. We are faced with the problem of wanting to protect the area against the Communists (but) we have to deal with the government there. We are using our influence to persuade the government there to take those steps which will win back support. That takes some time and we must be patient..."
David Brinkley asked...
"Have you had any reason to doubt this so-called "domino theory..."?
JFK said....
"No, I believe it."
JFK discusses the possibility of withdrawal of the United States from Vietnam. He said...
"What I am concerned about is that Americans will get impatient and say because they don't like events in SE Asia...that we should withdraw. That only makes it easy for the Communists. I think we should stay. We should use our influence in as effective a way as we can, but we should not withdraw."
*David Brinkley (1920-2003) was born in Wilmington, NC and attended the University of North Carolina, Emory University and Vanderbilt. He joined NBC News in 1943 and retired in 1997. He is buried in Wilmington.
**Chet Huntley (1911-1974) was born in Cardwell, Montana. He graduated from the University of Washington in 1934. He joined NBC News in 1955 and died of lung cancer at the age of 62. He is buried in Bozeman.
David Brinkley
NBC News Photo
Chet Huntley
NBC News Photo (1968)
