Kennedy. Theodore C. Sorenson. Significant Sentences. Continued.

Significant sentences from Kennedy by Theodore Sorenson, a history of the words and philosophy of President Kennedy. Continued.

Sorenson: "On the basis of our own reading, Salinger and I prepared lengthy lists of possible difficult questions--usually far more difficult than most of those asked [at televised press conferences]...." p. 362.

Sorenson: "His [JFK's] own extensive reading and his participation in every level of government was his best preparation [for press conferences]." p. 362.

JFK on press conferences: "It's like preparing for a final exam twice a month." p. 363.

Sorenson: "Above all, the televised press conferences provided a direct communication with the voters which no newspaper could alter by interpretation or omission." p. 364.

Sorenson: "He [JFK] listened patiently to long statements concealed as questions...." p. 365.

Sorenson: In his press conferences, "His [JFK's] answers were almost always brief. " p. 365.

Sorenson: "Groups of advisers could suggest outlines and alterations, and they could review drafts, but group authorship could not produce the continuity and precision of style he desired or the unity of thought and argument he needed." p. 370.

Sorenson: "He [JFK] deplored the 'discordant voices of extremism' which peddled their frighteningly simple solutions to citizens frustrated and baffled by our national burdens." p. 375.

JFK: "Presidents are bound to be hated unless they are as bland as Ike." p. 375.

Sorenson: "Without notes he would cite all the discouraging statistics: only six out of every ten students in the fifth grade would finish high school; only nine of every sixteen high school graduates would go on to college; one million young Americans were already out of school and out of work; dropouts had a far higher rate of unemployment and far lower rate of income; 71% of the people, according to Gallup, expected their children to go to college, but only 51% had saved for it." p. 401.

JFK to college students: "But I do strongly urge the application of your talents to the great problems of our time." p. 401.

JFK on the Supreme Court's banning of school prayer: "Pray a good deal more at home.... Attend our churches with a good deal more fidelity, and we can make the true meaning of prayer much more important in the lives of all of our children." p. 407.