"THAT MEETING SHOULD BE PREPARED AT A LOWER LEVEL"

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy often responded to reporter's questions at his bi-weekly televised news conference with humor.  February 14, 1962 was no exception,

The President was asked...

"Mr. President, this being Valentine's Day, sir, do you think it might be a good idea if you would call Senator Strom Thurmond* of South Carolina down to the White House for a heart-to-heart talk about (laughter) the whole disagreement over the censorship of the military speeches and what he calls your defeatist foreign policy?"

President Kennedy answered...

"Well, I think that meeting should be probably prepared at a lower level, and then we could have a....." (more laughter).

JFK+50 NOTE

This post first appeared on this blog on February 14, 2012,  It is the #1 most popular post of JFK+50.  Strom Thurmond was a thorn in the side of JFK beginning in 1960 when the SC senator refused to support him as the nominee of the Democratic Party because of his stand on civil rights.  In 1964, ST joined the Republican Party and his state has not elected a Democrat to the US Senate since.  

Senator J. Strom Thurmond

Photo by Warren K. Leffler

US News & World Report 1961

Library of Congress

*James Strom Thurmond (1902-2003) was born in Edgefield, South Carolina & graduated from Clemson Agricultural College in 1923.  JST served in the US Army during WWII & received 18 decorations, medals & awards.  He was governor of SC 1947-1951 & US Senator 1956-2003.  In 1948 he was a candidate for POTUS on a third party ticket.

"THAT MEETING SHOULD BE PREPARED AT A LOWER LEVEL"

JFK ANSWERS HUMOROUS VALENTINE'S DAY QUESTION

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy often responded with humor to reporter's questions at his news conferences, but it was rare for him to get a question with built-in humor.

On February 14, 1962, however, a reporter asked...

"Mr. President, this being Valentine's Day, sir, do you think it might be a good idea if you would call Senator Strom Thurmond* of South Carolina down to the White House for a heart-to-heart talk about--(laughter)--the whole disagreement over the censorship of the military speeches and what he calls your defeatist foreign policy?"

JFK responded...

"Well, I think that meeting should be probably prepared at a lower level..." (more laughter)

JFK+50 NOTE

This is from our #1 most popular post, dated February 14, 2011.  Although a Democrat like JFK, Senator Thurmond opposed JFK's civil rights policies and as you can see in the response above was not a big supporter of JFK's foreign policy.

*James Strom Thurmond (1902-2003) was born in Edgefield, SC & graduated Clemson University 1923.  JST served in US Army in WWII & received the Purple Heart.  He was governor of SC 1947-1951 & US Senator (D-SC) 1954-1964 & (R-SC) 1964-2003.  

SOURCE

"JFK Answers Valentine's Day Question," February 14, 2011, JFK+50, www.jfk50.blogspot.com/

Strom Thurmond Statue

SC State Capitol

Columbia, SC (2016)

Photo by Spcshiznit

"JFK ANSWERS VALENTINE'S DAY QUESTION"

OUR MOST POPULAR POST

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) In the first few months of beginning JFK+50, we posted on February 14, 2011, "JFK Answers Valentine's Day Question."  It is the most popular post on our blog.  As of today, it has 30,890 hits.

At a presidential news conference held here in Washington, D.C. on February 14, 1962, a reporter asked Mr. Kennedy the following question...

 "Mr. President, this being Valentine's Day, sir, do you think it might be a good idea if you would call Senator Strom Thurmond* ...down to the White House for a heart-to-heart talk about...what he calls your defeatist foreign policy?"

President Kennedy, who was known for his quick and ready wit, replied...

"Well, I think that that meeting should be probably prepared at a lower level..."

 
His answer was followed by hearty laughter from the White House press corps.

In September 1961, Senator Thurmond sent the following telegram to President Kennedy...

 
"Both you and the Attorney General have indicated that troops would not be used against a sovereign state...(but) new reports (are saying) that you are preparing to use force to enroll James Meredith at the University of Mississippi against the right of the state....to control its own educational system.  (This) is most shocking and disturbing..."

*Strom Thurmond (1902-2003) was born in Edgefield, SC.  He graduated from Clemson University in 1923 & was admitted to the bar in 1930.  ST served in the army during WWII & was Gov of SC (1947-1951).

In 1948, ST was nominee of the Dixiecrat party & served in the US Senate from 1956-2003.    In 1964 ST became a Republican.

In 2002, ST became the oldest person to serve as a U.S. Senator.  His filibuster against the Civil Rights Act of  1957 stands as the longest in Senate history. 

SOURCES

"A Malevolent Forrest Gump," by Michael O'Donnell, Washington Monthly, September/October 2012

"Deeply Unsettling Facts About Strom Thurmond," by Michael Anderson, RANKER, www.ranker.co/

Valentine Greeting Card

1909

Scan by Chordboard

www.wikimedia.org

"I THINK THAT MEETING SHOULD PROBABLY BE PREPARED AT A LOWER LEVEL"

JFK NOT INTERESTED IN A "HEART-TO-HEART" WITH STROM

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) JFK+50's most popular post is the one on a question President Kennedy was asked at his press conference of February 14, 1962.  A reporter asked...

"Mr. President, this being Valentine's Day, sir, do you think it might be a good idea if you would call Senator Strom Thurmond* of South Carolina down to the White House for a heart-to-heart talk about the whole disagreement over the censorship of the military speeches and what he calls your defeatist foreign policy?"

President Kennedy answered...

"Well, I think that that meeting should be probably prepared at a lower level..."

His answer was followed by hearty laughter from the White House press corps. This episode demonstrates how fast JFK was able to think on his feet, his wit, and above all his ability to defuse differences with political adversaries.  

Earlier, in September, Senator Thurmond sent the following telegram to President Kennedy...

"Both you and the Attorney General have indicated that troops would not be used against a sovereign state...(but) new reports (are saying) that you are preparing to use force to enroll James Meredith at the University of Mississippi against the right of the state....to control its own educational system.  (This) is most shocking and disturbing..."

*Strom Thurmond (1902-2003) was born in Edgefield, SC.  He graduated from Clemson University in 1923 and was admitted to the bar in 1930.  ST served in the army during WWII and served as SC governor from 1947-1951. 

In 1948, ST was the presidential nominee of the Dixiecrat party & served in the US Senate from 1956-2003.  There he served as chair of the Judiciary Committee & the Armed Services Committee.  Although a Democrat, in 1964 ST became a Republican in the aftermath of passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

When ST turned 100 in 2002, he became the oldest person to ever serve as a U.S. Senator.  His filibuster against the Civil Rights Act of  1957 stands as the longest in Senate history.  ST retired on Jan 3 2003.

SOURCES

"A Malevolent Forrest Gump," by Michael O'Donnell, Washington Monthly, September/October 2012

"Deeply Unsettling Facts About Strom Thurmond," by Michael Anderson, RANKER, www.ranker.co/

JFK at Press Conference

Nov 29 1961

Photo by Abbie Rowe

JFK Library Image

MR. PRESIDENT, THIS BEING VALENTINE'S DAY SIR...

IS IT TIME FOR A HEART-TO-HEART TALK WITH STROM?

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On Valentine's, February 14, 1962, President John F. Kennedy was asked by a White House reporter...

"Mr. President, this being Valentine's Day, sir, do you think it might be a good idea if you would call Senator Strom Thurmond* of South Carolina down to the White House for a heart-to-heart talk about the whole disagreement over the censorship of the military speeches and what he calls your defeatist foreign policy?"

President Kennedy's response was received with laughter by the press corps...

"Well, I think that that meeting should be probably prepared at a lower level..."

Earlier, in September, Senator Thurmond sent the following telegram to President Kennedy...

"Both you and the Attorney General have indicated that troops would not be used against a sovereign state...(but) new reports (are saying) that you are preparing to use force to enroll James Meredith at the University of Mississippi against the right of the state....to control its own educational system.  (This) is most shocking and disturbing..."

*Strom Thurmond (1902-2003) was born in Edgefield, SC.  He graduated from Clemson University in 1923 and was admitted to the bar in 1930.  ST served in the army during WWII and served as SC governor from 1947-1951.  
In 1948, he was the presidential nominee of the States Rights or Dixiecrat party. ST completed his political career in the US Senate from 1956-2003.


SOURCES

"A Malevolent Forrest Gump," by Michael O'Donnell, Washington Monthly, September/October 2012

"Integrating Ole Miss, a Civil Rights Milestone," www.microsites.jfklibrary.org/

"Thurmond on the Kennedy assassination," December 1963, www.mirc.sc./

Senator Strom Thurmond

August 8, 1961

VALENTINE'S DAY AND JFK

JFK SHOWS NO LOVE FOR STROM

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On Valentine's Day fifty-three years ago, February 14, 1962, President John F. Kennedy was asked the following question by a White House reporter...

"Mr. President, this being Valentine's Day, sir, do you think it might be a good idea if you would call Senator Strom Thurmond* of South Carolina down to the White House for a heart-to-heart talk about the whole disagreement over the censorship of the military speeches and what he calls your defeatist foreign policy?"

President Kennedy's response was received with laughter by the press corps...

"Well, I think that that meeting should be probably prepared at a lower level..."

The lack of love between JFK and the racist, anti-communist South Carolina senator is all too clear despite the President's humorous response.

In September of that same year, Strom sent the following telegram to JFK...

"Both you and the Attorney General have indicated that troops would not be used against a sovereign state...(but) new reports (are saying) that you are preparing to use force to enroll James Meredith at the University of Mississippi against the right of the state....to control its own educational system.  (This) is most shocking and disturbing..."

The Senator counseled the President to "not be stampeded into this unwise action."

After JFK's death, Senator Thurmond expressed the view that President Kennedy had been the victim of a communist plot.  He said publicly..."I hope the whole story can come out?"

In a review of a biography of the senator by Joseph Crespino, Michael O'Donnell describes Strom Thurmond as "a malevolent Forrest Gump."

He points out that, according to Crespino, in 1962...

"the Kennedy administration incensed (Thurmond) by 'muzzling' military leaders who had forced their troops to read material from the John Birch Society..."

One of those military leaders was General Edwin Walker of Dallas, Texas who was allegedly shot at by Lee Harvey Oswald.

SOURCES

"A Malevolent Forrest Gump," by Michael O'Donnell, Washington Monthly, September/October 2012

"Integrating Ole Miss, a Civil Rights Milestone," www.microsites.jfklibrary.org/

"Thurmond on the Kennedy assassination," December 1963, www.mirc.sc./

Senator Strom Thurmond

August 8, 1961

*Strom Thurmond (1902-2003) was born in Edgefield, South Carolina.  He graduated from Clemson University in 1923 and was admitted to the bar in 1930.  ST served in the army during WWII and served as SC governor from 1947-1951.  

In 1948, he was the presidential nominee of the States Rights or Dixiecrat party. ST completed his political career in the US Senate from 1956-2003.

JFK+50 TOP TEN POSTS #2

JFK+50 TOP POST #2

Knoxville, Tennessee (JFK+50) Today we continue a review of the ten most popular posts of our JFK+50 blog since we began in November 2010.  This review will include updates and revisions of the original posts. 

Thanks to all our visitors worldwide.

JFK HAS NO LOVE FOR STROM THURMOND ON VALENTINE'S DAY

February 14, 2011, Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) Forty-nine years ago today, Valentine's Day, February 14, 1962, President John F. Kennedy conducted a news conference in which a reporter asked this question...

"Mr. President, this being Valentine's Day, sir, do you think it might be a good idea if you would call Senator Strom Thurmond* of South Carolina down to the White House for a heart-to-heart talk about the whole disagreement over the censorship of the military speeches and what he calls your defeatist foreign policy?"

Senator Strom Thurmond

August 8, 1961

President Kennedy's response was...

"Well, I think that that meeting should be probably prepared at a lower level..."

*Strom Thurmond (1902-2003) was born in Edgefield, South Carolina.  He graduated from Clemson University in 1923 and was admitted to the bar in 1930.  ST served in the army during WWII and served as SC governor from 1947-1951.  

In 1948, he was the presidential nominee of the States Rights or Dixiecrat party. ST completed his political career in the US Senate from 1956-2003.

ST. VALENTINE'S
DAY MASSACRE

February 14, 2011, Chicago, Illinois (JFK+50) Eighty-two years ago today, Valentine's Day, February 14, 1929, seven members of the Bugs Moran gang of the North side were gunned down by henchmen representing Al Capone.

The assassins, using shotguns and Thompson sub-machine guns, were dressed in stolen police uniforms.

The Moran gang members were disarmed, lined up and then shot.  Six of the gang died instantly while one died an hour later.

Al Capone would escape justice until May 1929 when he was convicted of carrying a concealed weapon and sentenced to prison for ten months. 

DEFEAT IN 

NORTH AFRICA

February 14, 2011, North Africa (JFK+50)  Sixty-nine years ago today, February 14, 1942, American forces were defeated here at the Kasserine Pass by the Afrika Corps led by Field Marshall Erwin Rommel.

The attack came after Rommel's army had been driven out of Egypt at the Battle of El Alamein by British forces under Bernard Montgomery.

US  forces were defeated attempting to defend a two mile wide gap in the Dorsal Mountains of Tunisia.  

Americans suffered a thousand dead and hundreds taken prisoner.


TRAGIC VALENTINE'S

DAY FOR TR

February 14, 2011. New York City (JFK+50) Theodore Roosevelt, future Governor of New York and 26th president of the United States, lost his wife and his mother on Valentine's Day, February 14, 1884, 127 years ago today.  

Mr. Roosevelt's mother, Mittie, had been suffering from typhoid fever while his wife of 4 years, Alice Lee, was suffering from a severe kidney ailment known as Bright's Disease.   

Alice Lee Roosevelt had just given birth to daughter Alice two days earlier.TR would leave his baby girl with his sister and head to the Dakota territories. Roosevelt returned to political life in 1896.

JFK'S VALENTINE'S DAY NEWS CONFERENCE

JFK SAYS MEETING SHOULD BE PREPARED AT A LOWER LEVEL

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy conducted a news conference 52 years ago today, Valentine's Day, February 14, 1962, in which a reporter asked this question...

"Mr. President, this being Valentine's Day, sir, do you think it might be a good idea if you would call Senator Strom Thurmond* of South Carolina down to the White House for a heart-to-heart talk about the whole disagreement over the censorship of the military speeches and what he calls your defeatist foreign policy?"

Senator Strom Thurmond

August 8, 1961

*Strom Thurmond (1902-2003) was born in Edgefield, South Carolina.  He graduated from Clemson University in 1923 and was admitted to the bar in 1930.  ST served in the army during WWII and served as SC governor from 1947-1951.  

In 1948, he was the presidential nominee of the States Rights or Dixiecrat party. ST completed his political career in the US Senate from 1956-2003.


President Kennedy's response was...

"Well, I think that that meeting should be probably prepared at a lower level..."

MASSACRE IN CHICAGO 85 YEARS AGO TODAY

Chicago, Illinois (JFK+50) 85 years ago today, Valentine's Day, February 14, 1929, seven members of the Bugs Moran gang of the North side were gunned down by henchmen representing Al Capone.

The assassins, using shotguns and Thompson sub-machine guns, were dressed in stolen police uniforms.

The Moran gang members were disarmed, lined up and then shot.  Six of the gang died instantly while one died an hour later.

Al Capone would escape justice until May 1929 when he was convicted of carrying a concealed weapon and sentenced to prison for ten months. 

Later, he would be sent to prison for 11 years on a charge of income tax evasion.

US TROOPS SUFFER DEFEAT IN NORTH AFRICA

Kasserine Pass, North Africa (JFK+50) American forces were defeated 71 years ago today, February 14, 1942, here at the Kasserine Pass by the Afrika Corps led by Field Marshall Erwin Rommel.

The attack came after Rommel's army had been driven out of Egypt at the Battle of El Alamein by British forces under Bernard Montgomery.

US  forces were defeated attempting to defend a two mile wide gap in the Dorsal Mountains of Tunisia.  

Americans suffered a thousand dead and hundreds taken prisoner.

VALENTINE'S DAY TRAGIC FOR TR

New York City (JFK+50) Theodore Roosevelt, future Governor of New York and 26th president of the United States, lost his wife and his mother on Valentine's Day, February 14, 1884, 130 years ago today.  

Mr. Roosevelt's mother, Mittie, had been suffering from typhoid fever while his wife of 4 years, Alice Lee, was suffering from a severe kidney ailment known as Bright's Disease.   

Alice Lee Roosevelt had just given birth to daughter Alice two days earlier.TR would leave his baby girl with his sister and head to the Dakota territories. Roosevelt returned to political life in 1896.