Memories Of Robert F. Kennedy
CBS' Jeff Greenfield Worked On RFK's 1968 Campaign - Now He Shares Remembrances Of The Man
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Remembering RFK's Legacy
On the fortieth anniversary of the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy, Jeff Greenfield takes a look at Kennedy's legacy and what could have been.
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Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, delivers a speech at the Ambassador Hotel moments before he was shot and killed in Los Angeles, June 5, 1968. (AP Photo)
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Photo Essay
Robert F. Kennedy
JFK's younger brother was U.S. Attorney General and Senator, but also fell victim to an assassin's bullet.
When you look back 40 years, there's always a danger of buying into myth; of romanticizing a time or a prominent figure. But after spending hours looking at old films of Robert Kennedy's 1968 campaign, I'm convinced that what I remembered-and admired-was something very real.
There was, first of all, the campaign itself. Since it was my first glimpse of presidential politics - I was 24 years old, working as a junior speechwriter - I didn't know then, how remarkable it was. The controlled hysteria of the campaign plane, the size and intensity of the crowds, the sea of hands and faces, and at times near-frenzy.
There was also a lot of humor. Robert Kennedy had very little patience with the platitudes of politics, and he often mocked them - and himself. Listen to him explanation to the citizens of Pomona, Calif., why he won't put on the oversize sombrero they gave him:
Kennedy said: "What if its too big? What if it's too small? Then it'll fall down over my ears and you'll be embarrassed that it's too big. Let me try it on at home."
The crowd implored him to try it on.
Kennedy said: "I'll say this, if I'm elected president of the United States with your help, the first day I'm in the White House, I'll put the hat on."
And at a California college, he began a speech with the obligatory quote: "Thomas Jefferson once wrote that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing. But If I'm elected president … don't try it."
Apart from playing with his audiences, he would also challenge them. The most enduring memories of his appearances for me is how he would push his listeners into thinking.
When talking to college students about why he opposes draft deferments for college students: "As you stay here and sit here and debate all these questions and talk about the morality of some of these problems of the poor and all of these other difficulties, and then say a person who has the right and the ability because of maybe what his father did or mother did, or place that he happens to live, has the right to go to a college or a university and therefore doesn't have to be drafted and a poor boy who happens to be black has to be drafted. How you can argue that and state that?"
He would condemn violence and lawlessness in the ghetto, but then add this: "But what is also necessary is that we understand one another. That you understand their problems and that the black people of the United States understand that you are concerned about them."
He was also ready to challenge himself. When he turned against the War in Vietnam, he would always include this: "And when the history is going to be written about this conflict, I'm obviously going to have to take my share of personal responsibility. I happen to think I learned something from that."
At the heart of Robert Kennedy was a sense of passion, even outrage at conditions he often called "unacceptable." He was a Democrat who hated welfare, not just for the anger it stirred among taxpayers, but mostly because of what it did to the poor:
"They might have wanted fathers and they might have wanted husbands. We have given them instead checks and a dole," he said.
t all came to an end in a hotel kitchen in Los Angeles. But my last memories are not of that moment - but of the train ride that took his body from New York to Washington - a train ride that stretched for eight hours.
Inside, there was something of an Irish wake; family members greeting friends and campaign workers, telling old campaign stories.
But every time we looked out the window, and saw the countless tens of thousands gathered to say goodbye - kids and Cub scouts and Little leaguers, veterans in their old uniforms, that sense of loss was overwhelming.
People still ask, "what if?" Could he have been nominated, could he have been elected, could he have governed effectively?
We don't know, can't know. But did we lose a rare kind of public figure? That I think we do know.
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See all 51 CommentsHis name was also Bobby. When I saw the TV scenes of RFK''s train and the people respecting his memory, I wept for both of them....this is something you never, ever forget.
RIP Bobby. We still miss you.
RIP Bobby. We still miss you.
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Posted by SgtRDS-E4 at 08:56 PM : Jun 05, 2008
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This is my greatest concern with this fine young leader. When you start pushing back at the rich and powerful, especially when you have the radical fascist element we have in this society, it''s always dangerous!!!
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Posted by One_Texan at 07:58 PM : Jun 05, 2008
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LOL I wouldn''t have expected anything else form someone who still wears a hood and sheet on Saturday Night! I''m also glad that the majority of this nation are honest people who can look at a person, listen to what they say and accept their views without hate a bigotry... Try it... you might become an American if you do! Now let''s let the Grand Wizard know your on here! READY??? Sieg Heil Grand Wizard!! Dumb as a box of rocks!!
We''ve had nothing but clowns and crooks since.
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Posted by downsteamjim at 08:33 PM : Jun 05, 2008
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How DO you know these things??? I mean YOU must have some ability none of the rest of us have... OR you are a blind bigot who want''s to lock up everyone who disgrees with you... which is it sparky??? MOST states find themselves in the Position as we speak of releasing people from prison early. WHY? Because NAZI like you want to show how tough you are... aren''t you just so special... Sieg Heil y''all. ROFLMAO Folks I''ve got PLANTS smarter than this joke... HONEST!!
RIP Bobby. We still miss you.
Posted by SgtRDS-E4 at 08:56 PM : Jun 05, 2008
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This is my greatest concern with this fine young leader. When you start pushing back at the rich and powerful, especially when you have the radical fascist element we have in this society, it''''s always dangerous!!!
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Posted by MCVet at 09:14 PM : Jun 05, 2008
The scum bragging on the words of the blind.
Now there%u2019s a laugh.
Traces of Bobby AND Martin? Who was responsible for trying to get political dirt on Martin? Bobby was. Read your history before you spout your nonsense.
And MCVet, Obama IS one of the rich and powerful. Get over it. He%u2019ll rob you blind with taxes just like Clinton would.
ST
Posted by MCVet at 09:14 PM : Jun 05, 2008
Mine too. Whenever we watch him shaking hands in the crowds at his events my wife and I both worry for him. I hope he has nothing but the best in Secret Service Agents around him always. he can change the future of our nation if we can keep him safe from the hatred that took JFK, RFK and Martin.
Oh and "searing truth" ****.
I remember sitting with one of the groom''s old girlfriends that evening, on the steps of her parents'' house, and not saying a word. Just shook our heads and poked at June bugs with sticks.
Forty years ago this Sunday, and it still feels like yesterday.
And oh, yeah...the bride dumped him for a Harvard man, and moved to JFK''s district.
Grizzster
But once John was elected, Robert turned on the Mafia and proceeded to seek them out and prosecute them for all kinds of violations of government policy. It was Robert''s agenda to go after the Mafia, in violation of what he and John promised the mafia to get elected.
Argue all you want, but when you double cross the mafia, they NEVER forget, and will avenge any wrongs against them, for as long as the Bosses like and talk.
Both John (probably) and Robert (defintely) were both assassinated because they promised to "do good" by the mafia before election, but turned viciously against them after they were elected.
What would you do? Think about it long and hard. How would you treat a pair of total double-crossers ????
In any case, I was in high school when RFK was assassinated and I remember it well. It was and still is a sad day for America, rather you agreed with him or not.
Sorry, but that is NOT a known fact, it''s a theory, and B.S. theory at that!
Posted by nolalou
It was a sad day for the whole world because Bobby Kennedy was taking American in a clear direction where everyone was included and there seemed to be a sense that there was a unity that didn''t previously exist. The goodwill looking into the future was a cause for great optimism. Then Nixon took over.
In fact my statements are true, the story was in part researched by CBS news itself, and it was confirmed as established fact, the relation between the Kennedys and the Mafia via Sinatra as the intermediary. Just because you are ignorant of the truth, doesn''t give you the right to condemn truth. LEARN before you talk
Posted by jw101372 at 12:10 AM : Jun 06, 2008
please expound on how the supposed betrayal of his Catholic faith in combination with the accusations that he was not a good father or husband had anything to do with a nutcase gunning him down in a hotel kitchen.
Posted by downsteamjim at 08:33 PM : Jun 05, 2008
He didn''t kill a mere mortal though. He killed Bobby Kennedy. He killed an idea. he killed a hope. He killed a movement. He killed a dream.
Posted by One_Texan at 07:58 PM : Jun 05, 2008
This from the state that gave us Bush........
Posted by downsteamjim
If you will go back and read the transcripts from the trial, Sirhan was convicted for his attack on the American political system, not for his attack on an individual. He was sentenced to death that was later commuted. He is consistently turned down for parole for his lack of remorse for his crime and based on his psychological profiles.
Whether that feeling has ben borne out, I''ll leave others to debate; each year I have three dates to remember those feelings and think about what might have been.
Whether you like their politics or there personal lives, pause for a moment to thank the Kennedy and King families for their sacrifices in the service of our country and consider how you can make a difference in this world. Think on the main message I took from Senator Kennedy and Reverend King...don''t dwell on our differences, be they political, social or moral, instead celebrate our similarities and our shared humanity.
Not a bad message to leave this world, huh?
The Kennedy Era of Propoganda.
Fuzzy Bear can you give us gals something to smile about ?
well lets just say that Hillary made a good showing, if she had been able to put her best foot forward earlier in the race things may have been different,
the trouble was, we all knew Hillary very well,
we only later confirmed our suspicions about Obama when it was far too late.
But the nation as a whole wants CHANGE, change to what we don`t know,
and where do Women voters find a party that stands for their Ideas?
there is none.
the Old Kennedy Womanizer Molesting Black Caccuss Party ?
or the Toe Tapping Airport Restroom closet **** Party ?
not much choice is there ?
I guess we just hate to see all those soccer moms revert back to the Kennedy Era of using woman like a piece of cheap meat (Marilyn Monroe and Mary Joe Kapichnik) and then discarding them in Chapaquitic Bay? Yes the old Black Caccus of The Kennedy Mob has won again, The Chicago Bosses have come out on top.
Yes Obama now has a Dream, he has been to the top of Chapaquitic Mountain, he has seen the promised land
and there is none to stop him.
who will you vote for ?
Fuzzy Has no clue, we have run out of options.
sincerely Fuzzy Bear
If you try, it''s easy to gain something even from those you oppose. You just have to decide whether you are capable of making the effort to look.
A couple of examples...
I disagree vehemently with Al Sharpton...in many ways he may actually hurt those he purports to defend. However, no one can deny that he has, at times, raised awareness of racial issues.
I disagree as vehemently with Rush Limbaugh, yet he does perfomr a service by giving a very public voice and awareness to preceived conservative viewpoints.
I wish neither any harm, I simply disagree with their positions and acknowledge their ability to get their points across.
Obama is a wolf in sheeps clothing.
If he wins, we are in big trouble.
If McCain wins, we are in big trouble.
We have no choice with those 2. You are all being fooled.
Ron Paul is the best candidate. He is still in the race.
WHY DOESN''T THE MEDIA REPORT ON HIM?
And don''t forget, according to the National Security and Homeland Security Presidential Directive, passed last year, IF ANOTHER SO CALLED "TERRORIST" ATTACK HAPPENS BUSH WILL REMAIN PRESIDENT UNTIL NECESSARY.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/05/20070509-12.html
Posted by downsteamjim
If you will go back and read the transcripts from the trial, Sirhan was convicted for his attack on the American political system, not for his attack on an individual. He was sentenced to death that was later commuted. He is consistently turned down for parole for his lack of remorse for his crime and based on his psychological profiles.
Posted by haoli25 at 03:48 AM : Jun 06, 2008
I was too young for any understanding of things in his regard. However, I do remember after doing a little research of the wheres and whys of his death, that the news media was doing a good job at hiding the fact it was a muslim that killed him. Same as Arch Duke Ferdinand''''s slayer......Uh, what''''s been going on here the last one hundred years?
Posted by cfin5 at 09:01 AM : Jun 06, 2008
Cfin5, you''re starting to sound like Singer Rick and all his Hate muslims BS ...... You don''t have to lie, in order to promote a political view - It''s UNAmerican. Cheers!
Posted by parrot123 at 09:41 AM : Jun 06, 2008------ Oh really? Its apparent that Sirhan Sirhan, though his parents were Palestinian Christians, didn''t know who he was himself by hopping around Christian denominations and practicing with the occult. Didn''t he kill RFK on the one year anniversary of the 1967 "6 day war" in Israel? What am I supposed to think about that? I look at what his actions were instead of where he had been. I didn''t lie at all according to these facts. That would be un-American in my eyes to do otherwise. All I want to know is the truth no matter whose toes get stepped on.
Did you know today is the 64th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy?
You can''t find one word about it at CBS. It''s sad they decided to ignore that fact.
God bless the soldiers who fought and died in the largest land invasion in human history. Their efforts and sacrifice kept our first amendment in place.
Whether that feeling has ben borne out, I''''ll leave others to debate; each year I have three dates to remember those feelings and think about what might have been.
Whether you like their politics or there personal lives, pause for a moment to thank the Kennedy and King families for their sacrifices in the service of our country and consider how you can make a difference in this world. Think on the main message I took from Senator Kennedy and Reverend King...don''''t dwell on our differences, be they political, social or moral, instead celebrate our similarities and our shared humanity.
Not a bad message to leave this world, huh? Posted by Charlieot
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That was BEAUTIFUL!! Sometimes I think I am getting to the point where I don''t want to read these posts anymore, and then someone comes along who has a mind and a heart.
Thank you, Bobby. God Bless you.
The truth is I never left you
All through my wild days
My mad existence
I kept my promise
Don''t keep your distance
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