JFK DODGES GOLDWATER'S CRITICAL REMARKS
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On October 31, 1963, President John F. Kennedy gave his 63rd news conference as President of the United States at the State Department auditorium here in Washington. The President would hold only one more regular news conference before his death on November 22, 1963.
A newsman asked...
"Mr. President, Senator (Barry) Goldwater* accused your administration today of falsification of the news in order to perpetuate itself in office. Do you care to comment on that?"
The President asked...
"What was he referring to?"
The reporter said...
"He was making a speech here at the Women's National Press Club, and his point was that you and your administration are mismanaging the news, and using it to perpetuate yourself in office."
President Kennedy responded...
"I think it would be unwise at this time to...reply to Senator Goldwater...(as) he himself has had a busy week selling TVA and suggesting that military commanders overseas be permitted to use nuclear weapons, and attacking the President of Bolivia while he was here in the United States, and involving himself in the Greek election.
So...it really would not be fair for me this week to reply to him."
*Barry Morris Goldwater (1909-1998) was born in Phoenix, Arizona Territory & was educated at the University of Arizona. BMG served in the USAAF during WWII & served as US Senator (R-AZ) 1953-1965 & 1969-1987. He was the Republican nominee for POTUS in 1964.
SOURCE
"The President's News Conference of October 31, 1963," Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States, John F. Kennedy, January 1 to November 22, 1963, United States Government Printing Office, Washington, 1964.
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On October 31, 1963, President John F. Kennedy gave his 63rd news conference as President of the United States at the State Department auditorium here in Washington. The President would hold only one more regular news conference before his death on November 22, 1963.
A newsman asked...
"Mr. President, Senator (Barry) Goldwater* accused your administration today of falsification of the news in order to perpetuate itself in office. Do you care to comment on that?"
The President asked...
"What was he referring to?"
The reporter said...
"He was making a speech here at the Women's National Press Club, and his point was that you and your administration are mismanaging the news, and using it to perpetuate yourself in office."
President Kennedy responded...
"I think it would be unwise at this time to...reply to Senator Goldwater...(as) he himself has had a busy week selling TVA and suggesting that military commanders overseas be permitted to use nuclear weapons, and attacking the President of Bolivia while he was here in the United States, and involving himself in the Greek election.
So...it really would not be fair for me this week to reply to him."
*Barry Morris Goldwater (1909-1998) was born in Phoenix, Arizona Territory & was educated at the University of Arizona. BMG served in the USAAF during WWII & served as US Senator (R-AZ) 1953-1965 & 1969-1987. He was the Republican nominee for POTUS in 1964.
SOURCE
"The President's News Conference of October 31, 1963," Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States, John F. Kennedy, January 1 to November 22, 1963, United States Government Printing Office, Washington, 1964.
Barry Goldwater
Photo by Marion S. Trikosko (1962)
Library of Congress Image
