Early in John F. Kennedy’s Presidency, the Republicans were in free fall. They’d lost the White House and were a permanently hopeless minority in Congress. Kennedy’s quick wit and engaging style at his lively and widely watched TV press conferences made the Republicans seem a bunch of dull, plodding has-beens. Desperate to improve their chances of recruiting attractive young candidates, the GOP announced it was setting up a “Leadership School”.
Asked what he thought about it, Kennedy’s press-conference answer was classic:
“Well, I think that’s an excellent idea.” A pause. “They certainly need it.” Another pause to let the chuckles die down, then the tongue-in-cheek deadpanned killer as he turned to the next reporter: “I don’t know who they’re going to get to teach it.”