January 25, 1961…The First Live Presidential Press Conference
January 25, 1961…The First Live Presidential Press Conference
Instead of presenting the historical footage, I’ve included a short compilation that reminds us of JFK’s easy style in these press conferences. He was the first American president to really understand television and how to use it to his advantage, which started during the campaign.
Fifty four years ago today, President Kennedy held the first ever live presidential news conference. It originated from the auditorium of the State Department and was carried live on both radio and television. It was the first of sixty three he would give.
Prior to this, live radio broadcasts by a President were scripted speeches. In press conferences prior to Kennedy, questions were submitted in advance and were not asked by reporters nor broadcast live, but were recorded on film for television and on audio tape for radio news. Enjoy and share! -Bobby Ellerbee
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXDLLUOxmsY
The wit and humor of President John F. Kennedy is revealed in this series of clips from his various press conferences.
His successors have failed miserably by not having news conferences on such a regular basis, an average of one every 16 days! It could only help!
He was always inspiring to my generation .
I remember watching them with my mother and thinking about how nice he seemed to be. My mother thought he was a god LOL.