"Conflict in Vietnam and at Home" was a speech given on March 18, 1968, by U.S. Senator

Robert F. Kennedy Robert Francis Kennedy (November 20, 1925June 6, 1968), also known by his initials RFK and by the nickname Bobby, was an American lawyer and politician who served as the 64th United States Attorney General from January 1961 to September 1964, ...

at Kansas State University. Having only declared his candidacy for president two days before, the address was Kennedy's first official campaign speech. He discussed student protests, consequences of the

Vietnam War The Vietnam War (also known by other names) was a conflict in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. It was the second of the Indochina Wars and was officially fought between North Vietnam a ...

, and Lyndon B. Johnson's leadership of the country.

Background

On March 16, 1968, Senator Robert F. Kennedy declared his candidacy for the Presidency. At 9:00 AM on March 18, Kennedy arrived at Kansas State University in

Manhattan, Kansas Manhattan is a city and county seat of Riley County, Kansas, United States, although the city extends into Pottawatomie County. It is located in northeastern Kansas at the junction of the Kansas River and Big Blue River. As of the 2020 c ...

, to give his first campaign speech. As a Landon Lecture, it had been scheduled long beforehand. In choosing Kansas State for his first appearance, Kennedy's campaign was hoping to attract a large number of student volunteers in a politically diverse region.

The speech

The 50 minute speech was written by Adam Walinsky. It was delivered in Ahearn Fieldhouse, where about 14,000 students had gathered.

Summary

Kennedy was anxious and unsure how the young crowd would receive him. He informally opened with a joke on the planned Vietnam Commission: The crowd was surprised by this humor but received it well. Kennedy then began his written speech with a quote from Kansas native

William Allen White William Allen White (February 10, 1868 – January 29, 1944) was an American newspaper editor, politician, author, and leader of the Progressive movement. Between 1896 and his death, White became a spokesman for middle America. At a 193 ...

: This was also well received. He nervously continues on with his speech, stammering in a few places while his right leg shook. He gained more confidence as the audience became more enthusiastic. About ten minutes in, Kennedy began discussing President

Lyndon B. Johnson Lyndon Baines Johnson (; August 27, 1908January 22, 1973), often referred to by his initials LBJ, was an American politician who served as the 36th president of the United States from 1963 to 1969. He had previously served as the 37th vice ...

's foreign policy and the

: The audience cheered. With his emotion increasing, Kennedy admitted his role in the escalation of the war: Kennedy then approached the climax of his speech, raising his right fist into the air and speaking fervently: Kennedy looked up from his written text and improvised the final part of his speech: The crowd cheered wildly. Hundreds of students surrounded Kennedy as he attempted to leave, scratching his hands and pulling off his cuff links. Photographer

Stanley Tretick Aaron Stanley Tretick (July 21, 1921 – July 23, 1999) was an American photojournalist who worked for UPI, '' Look'', and ''People'' magazines. He covered every president from Harry S. Truman through George H. W. Bush. Tretick also did stills ...

, surprised by the hysteria, exclaimed, "This is Kansas, fucking Kansas! He's going all the fucking way!"

Aftermath

Kennedy continued on to

Lawrence Lawrence may refer to: Education Colleges and universities * Lawrence Technological University, a university in Southfield, Michigan, United States * Lawrence University, a liberal arts university in Appleton, Wisconsin, United States Preparator ...

later that afternoon, where he would give another speech at the

University of Kansas The University of Kansas (KU) is a public research university with its main campus in Lawrence, Kansas, United States, and several satellite campuses, research and educational centers, medical centers, and classes across the state of Kansas. T ...

, incorporating many of the same elements in the first one. The speech is included in Kansas State University's Landon Lecture Series. Kennedy's presidential campaign was ended abruptly two months later following his assassination.

Notes

External links

Full text of the speech
(as written)

References

{{Robert F. Kennedy, state=expanded Speeches by Robert F. Kennedy Opposition to United States involvement in the Vietnam War 1968 in American politics Kansas State University 1968 speeches