John F. Kennedy Campaign Speech

[audio distortion] [rhythmic applause over band music] [rhythmic applause] [rhythmic applause] [Announcer] The President of the United States, Mr. John F. Kennedy. [Audience applause] [applause] We are delighted to honor the greatest leader of our times. [applause] [applause]

[applause] Not only-- [audio drops] We're here today with the democratic party rally here in Wichita, Kansas. We soon expect the democratic candidate for the presidency of the United States, Senator John F. Kennedy, to appear. Lawrence Stadium is completely filled, part of the infield is filled with democratic dignitaries and with the press. We are here on the right side of the press box and we are watching with great anticipation the arrival of Senator Kennedy. The major press group has not arrived yet. They will come in on two specially-chartered planes that will arrive slightly after the Kennedy

jet sets down. The front row of the press box has been reserved for the late arrivals. We expect to find commentators from NBC, ABC, CBS, and all the major networks and radio stations. Press box being filled up by different news commentators from the Wichita area. KFH will follow Senator Kennedy from the plane to Lawrence Stadium. The microphones are still being set up for the different radio stations. The grandstand's completely filled with people and speaker's platform is filled with present democratic party leaders

and officials who are now in the state government that those that have been nominated and hope to win in November. [pause] Senator Kennedy has not arrived yet at the Stadium. His plane is due to set down in Wichita very shortly. [pause] Nicks, no Nixon[?], We have several signs here being paraded in front of the speaker's platform, no formal speeches have been made yet. [announcer in the background] The crowd is gathering.

Stadium is completely filled, the infield is now being filled up. News has just been received that Senator Kennedy's plane has arrived and that he soon will be here. The speaker is now calling for all the county chairmen to stand. Kennedy signs are bobbing up and down. [pause] The Theodore has already landed, he is coming into and will soon be into the stadium. According to the speaker, approximately 5000 people are greeting him at the airport

and we'll try to get into the stadium. The stadium is completely filled and there are many people waiting outside. The speaker has just announced that the Kennedy procession and party has gotten into the cars at the airport, and are proceeding to the stadium. The speaker also remarked that Maple Street along the Senator's route is completely filled with people. The Senator [laughs] has-- The Senator has been reported to now be in front of the stadium and we are waiting his approach right now. And here comes the first motor cavalcade. We expect to see Senator Kennedy any moment now. [cheers in background] All right the gates are now being opened. The crowd is applauding vigorously. The police are blocking the crowd back so the Senator will have a clean and open road to the platform. He has not come through the gates yet. The crowd

here is applauding. The Nixon signs are all up. Everyone is awaiting the expected arrival of Senator Kennedy, the possible future president of the United States. The first officer has come in now, the gates are open. We expect him at any moment now. The officers are now driving in the two escorts. Here we have the first car and

with the sheriff of Wichita, David Black. [crowd cheering in background] [announcer yelling] The second car is now coming with the photographers, the crowd is in an uproar, the wire service photo car is now here, and here, here he is, ladies and gentlemen, Senator John Kennedy, the democratic candidate for the presidency of the United States. Everyone is applauding loudly and vigorously. The wire service pole car follows him in, the officers of the sheriff's office are with them, the cars are driving into the outfield, they are now forming a circle and the members of our city here are greeting Senator Kennedy. This I believe is Governor Docking, I can't see yet, beside him. He is now coming up to the platform. The press is [inaudible]. Everyone is applauding loudly. The news cars are coming in now. And here is ladies and gentlemen,

Jack Kennedy. He is now on the speaker's platform, he is now on the speaker's platform. The applause is dying down to some degree. With him and shaking hands with the members are the democratic committee here in town, here he is, he's very close ladies and gentlemen, I can see him, another round of applause. Wave

at him. Here we have him, Senator John Kennedy. He's being beseiged by offers for autographs. His book has been autographed. You can hear the chants the audience is now making. [Crowd repeatedly chanting "We want Jack"] Everyone is waiting for the applause to die down so the democratic presidential candidate can start his speech. He arrived here in Wichita two hours behind his schedule, he is still being greeted by democratic state party here, Governor Docking is shaking hands with old friends and other members of the democratic party. Here's the applause, listen to that.

The speaker is calling for silence and the crowd is dying down. [crowd noises] [crowd noises] [crowd noises] We hope that Senator Kennedy will be able to start his speech in a little bit. Next to Senator Kennedy on the Senator's left is Governor George Docking, on his right is the democratic candidate for the US Senate, Tyce[?]. The other members on the front row will be introduced shortly. The dignitaries are now being introduced that are on the party.

The main platform here today. National committeewoman has just been introduced. Soon after these preliminaries, the address will be given by the democratic senator candidate and by Governor Docking. After this we'll follow the speech. Mrs. Docking, the wife of the governor, has just been introduced to the crowd. [applause] Mr. William I. Robinson, the democratic candidate for congress from Wichita, and our district, has been introduced and is now

making a few comments. The Senator from Missouri, George Simonton[?] has just been introduced and as you can hear, the applause has been great. Mr. Dalton, the democratic candidate for governor in Missouri has just been presented. [Announcer on stage] At this time I would like to introduce a fellow I have worked with for the last several years-- [Reporter] The press has now all arrived and they are busy getting ready to send out messages concerning the speech made here today. [Announcer on stage] I should like to introduce to you my co-worker and the candidate for United States Senator, Mr. Frank Tyce[?]. [Reporter] Mr. Frank Tyce[?], the democratic candidate for senator

from the state of Kansas has just been introduced, and he will now make a few opening remarks. Senator Kennedy is sitting on the front row in the mid-- and he--