I Will Miss You, Mr. Sorensen
“Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.”
As any American knows, those famous words were spoken by President John F.
Kennedy at his 1961 inauguration. What many people may not know is that those
words were written by Ted Sorensen, President Kennedy’s Special Advisor and
Counselor.
Sorensen died on Halloween at the age of 82.
I find it both ironic and oddly fitting that the man whose eloquent, moving words
still make me cry, died just two days before our country’s midterm elections. Elections
whose campaigns have been more base, insulting, and hateful than any I can
recall. Campaigns that have been completely devoid of the eloquence of JFK's
speechwriter.
Which is why I will miss Ted Sorensen.
Growing up, it was Sorensen's words that blared from our blonde-wood television
set. I may not have understood everything I heard, but I recognized that the words
were thoughtful and inspirational. Words that held my parents' attention with rapt interest.
Important words that frequently caused them to shush me whenever President Kennedy
spoke to the nation.
Sorensen wasn’t even 25 yet when Kennedy hired him as an assistant in 1953.
In his 2008 memoir, Sorensen says of Kennedy during the interview, “I was struck by
this unpretentious, even ordinary man with his extraordinary background, a wealthy
family, a Harvard education, and a heroic war record. He did not try to impress me with
his importance; he just seemed like a good guy."
By comparison, Sorensen was born in Lincoln, Nebraska. A staunch pacifist, he
registered for the draft as a conscientious objector. Although their backgrounds were
very different, Sorensen and Kennedy shared the same passion for serving their country.
Their intellects and turn of phrase were so in tune with each others that biographers are
still arguing that Kennedy’s Pulitzer Prize for “Profiles in Courage,” should have been
given to Sorensen instead.
Sorensen was also one of President Barack Obama's biggest fans and publicly
endorsed his run for the presidency in 2007. Initially, he suggested Obama consider
waiting to run for the presidency because he felt Obama would,” inherit a country in bad
shape, a presidency and a federal government in bad shape after eight years of what I
call 'shame and pain.' "
He certainly did.
But I still believe in President Barack Obama. I believe he is the best hope we have.
And those who are hoping to dismantle his dreams at the polls tomorrow may be in for a
shock. Because I think the younger generation that helped elect President Obama has
been sitting back and listening. Watching, while this year's midterm campaigns escalated
into the absurd. I think they are as sick of the mudslinging as any adult.
Maybe more so.
I think they want to hear words that inspire not insult. Words, like those of Sorensen,
that offer a return to intelligent discussion, leadership, and guidance.
I just hope they haven’t been so nauseated by what they've seen and heard that
they stay away from the polls tomorrow.
they stay away from the polls tomorrow.
I hope they do what Sorensen would do.
Vote.
