JFK to the Houston Ministerial Association

Since Rob referenced it in his last post, I thought it worth posting the link to Kennedy's 1960 address to the Houston Ministerial Association, which I recently had cause to re-read.

Although I can't say how either Roberts or Specter interpreted Kennedy's statement, I think Kennedy intended to make clear that his presidential decisions on "public matters" would be based on his own belief as to what was in the national interest.  The part of the speech from which the language quoted by Specter comes says:

"I am not the Catholic candidate for President. I am the Democratic Party's candidate for President who happens also to be a Catholic. I do not speak for my church on public matters--and the church does not speak for me.

"Whatever issue may come before me as President--on birth control, divorce, censorship, gambling or any other subject--I will make my decision in accordance with these views, in accordance with what my conscience tells me to be the national interest, and without regard to outside religious pressures or dictates. And no power or threat of punishment could cause me to decide otherwise."

   Kennedy went on to add that "if the time should ever come--and I do not concede any conflict to be even remotely possible--when my office would require me to either violate my conscience or violate the national interest, then I would resign the office; and I hope any conscientious public servant would do the same."