Evening star., 1960-01-03
WHAT KENNEDY SAID.

transcript of his neUs con-
ference.
I am announcing today my
candidacy for the presidency of
the United States.
The presidency is the most
powerful Office in the free
world. Through its leadership
can come a more vital life for
our people. In it are centered
the hopes of the globe around
us for freedom and a more Sc
cure life. For it is in the
executive branch that the
most crucial decisions Of this
century must be made in the
next four years:
How to end or alter the bur-
.densome arms race, where So
Wet gains already threaten our
very existence; how to main
tain freedom and order in the
newly emerging nations; how
to rebuild the stature of Ameri-
can science and education; how
to prevent the collapse of our
farm economy and the decay
OF our cities: how to achieve,
without further imitation or
unemployment, expanded eco
Ilomic growth benef1ting all
Americans, and how to give
direction to our traditional
moral purpose, awakening
every American to the dangers
and opportunities that con-
front us.
Voices His Confidence
These are among the real
Issues of 1860. And it is on
the basis of these issues that
the American people must
make their fateful choice for
their future.
In the past 40 months have
toured every State in the
Union and I have talked to
democrats in all walks of life.
My candidacy is therefore
based on the conviction that I
can win both the nomination
and the election.
II believe that any Demo-
cratic aspirant to this impor-
tant nomination should be
willing to submit to the voters
his views, record and compe-
tence in a series of primary
contests. I am therefore now
announcing my intention of
f1ling in the New Hampshire
primary and I shall announce
my plans with respect to the
other primaries as their filing
dates approach.
I believe that the Demo-
cratic Party has a historic
function to perform in the
winning of the 1860 election,
comparable to its role in 1882.
I intend to do my utmost to
Bee that that victory is won.
For 18 years I have been in
the service of the United
States. first as a naval officer
in the Pacific during World
War II and for the past Il
years as member Of the Con-
gress. In the last 20 years I
have Travelled in nearly every
continent and country-from
Leningrad to Saigon, from
Bucharest to Lima. From all Of
this, ! have developed an
image Of America as fulfilling
a noble and historic role as the
defender of freedom in a time
Of maximum peril-and of the
American people as confident,
courageous and persevering.
1t is with this image that !
begin this campaign.
Decision on Primaries Due
@. Senator, you do not want
TO leave any doubt about such
contesting primaries as Wis
consin and Oregon, do you.
in this statement?
= A. Well, I am going to make
an announcement on those
two primaries, and other pri-
maries, I would say, within
the next five or six weeks, car-
tainly as the filing date ap-
proaches. OF course. in the
case of Oregon, the candi-
dates do not enter, but the
Secretary of State enters I
presume that the Secretary of
State would probably enter me,
but will make an announce
ment with regard to it in any
case, also with regard to Wis
consin, Nebraska. Indian a.
Maryland and other primaries
.. also Ohio.
@. Have you heard from
Gov. Disable (of Ohio yet?
You we're supposed to have a
conversation with him shortly
after the first of the year as
to what his plans were. Have
you had that conversation?
A. Well, the first of the
year begins today. so I expect
to have it shortly.
@. Senator, would you re-
fuse the Vice Presidential no.
mination under any circum-
stances?
A. I will not be a candidate
for Vice President under any
circumstances and that is not
subject to change by any con-
ditiop. (Applause)
I will not be a candidate,
will not be the nominee, I will
not, therefore. accept a nomi-
nation for Vice President under
any condition. AS I have stated
this will not be subject u
change by any condition.
@. Why is that, Senator?
A. Because I am a candidate
for the presidency, and if
fail to achieve that nomination
then I shall return to the Sen
ate. I think that / can-tht
Vice Presidency, the Office
really. the duties are limited K
presiding over the Senate. II
voting in cases of tie which