The Past vs. The Future
Filed Sunday, February 3, 2008 at 12:00 PM
Ofttimes, torches are not passed on, but rather pried out of the hands of past generations.
In 1960, Missouri’s own former President Harry S. Truman held a news conference to explain why he resigned as a delegate to the 1960 Democratic Convention. He accused John F. Kennedy’s campaign of turning the convention into a “prearranged affair.” He also suggested Kennedy was not ready to be president.
“Are you certain that you are quite ready for the country, or the country is ready for you, in the role of President in January 1961?,” the then 76 year-old former commander-in-chief asked the 43 year-old Kennedy. “May I urge you to be patient.”
On July 4, 1960, in response to Truman’s words, Kennedy held his own press conference.
“The world is changing. The old ways will not do,” said Kennedy. “It is time for a new generation of leadership.”
Sunday’s “Meet the Press” referenced this piece of history. We found this longer version on YouTube.