john fitzgerald kennedy 05 january 1960

[bkj333]

January 5, 1960 was NOT on the "eve" of Kennedy's presidential candidacy.

JFK already had formally announced his candidacy three days before on January 2, 1960.

[esb84]

Was JFK drunk during this interview?

[WALRU11]

JFK was not even SLIGHTLY inebriated. Those suffering from Addison's disease cannot drink. It was extremely rare for JFK to have any alcoholic beverage. He was glib. facile, candid, spontaneous, & very sharp.

[esb84]

Oh ok I apologize, I never knew that asking a simple question would generate such a negative response, lol. He didn't sound drunk, I really meant because he was being so open and candid I wondered if he had been drinking. It doesn't matter to me anyway, but I guess I should've known questioning JFK's saintliness would enrage the youtube worshippers.

[WALRU11]

You needn't be so defensive. You're overreacting. I simply pointed out that JFK could not drink owing to his Addison's. Yes, he was candid. In '60 he was a favorite with the press because of such candor. They had never met a politician quite so open & disarming. & FYI: JFK was NO saint. He had his foibles & faults, but overall was a damned good leader with a remarkable capacity for growth. I don't worship JFK. I respect his intellect & rationality - America's young Pericles.

[esb84]

I'm not being defensive, and I was referring to the -5 thumbs downs my comment received, not your response to it. I basically agree with everything you said. He was at a dinner with friends and I thought (not being an expert on his health problems and diseases) that maybe he had some drinks, because of everything he revealed.

[WALRU11]

5 thumbs down! Why pay any attention to that? I've never voted on any post & folks will always be negative if they think you're attacking their hero. Anyway, your query was legit as you were unaware of his condition. Jack K was refreshingly candid, but also protective of his persona. All his life he projected an image of robust health, "Vigah" he said, depsite horrific pain & illness. He refused to be pitied & always kept casual conversation light & breezy. A very witty, funny, sadonic guy.

[esb84]

Agreed. I have always had great respect and admiration for JFK, his time was cut short but he will always be an American hero in my opinion.

[WALRU11]

Thanks. Yeah, the deeper story here derives directly from his lifelong illnesses. He was born ill & frail & acutely discriminated against as a minority member by the Boston Brahmins during an age of fierce anti-immigration sentiment & Eugenics termination proposals. His life thus became a struggle to assert justice & egalitarian democracy for minority members. His proudest literary achievement was writing "A Nation of Immigrants" & he did, despite objections, champion rights for all citizens.

[srbeaty]

thats really cool.

[swill43507]

This is awesome.

[Mobilecheese]

Great video! I wish I'd found this! Well done!

[VincePalamara]

Fantastic! I saw this the other day when it was on NBC News live...makes you miss JFK even more (if that is humanly possible)

[slickchick9500]

Wow this is very unique! thanks for posting!