Ted Sorensen, speechwriter for JFK, dies at age 82

[cal04]

Source: Boston.com

Theodore Chaikin Sorensen, whose prose mingled with the thoughts and words of his close friend John F. Kennedy to create some of the most memorable presidential speeches of the 20th century, has died, a week after suffering a stroke.

He was 82 and despite a stroke nine years ago that left him nearly sightless, Mr. Sorensen had continued to be a vibrant link intellectually and philosophically to the Kennedy administration and the Camelot aura that defined the clan, launching the political careers of the president's younger brothers, Robert and Edward.

Considered by many to be the premier presidential speechwriter of his lifetime -- some thought him the best ever -- Mr. Sorensen played significant roles in crafting JFK's enduring speeches, including his 1961 inaugural address, and the president's book "Profiles in Courage," which was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1957.

(snip)
More recently, Mr. Sorensen was an early supporter of Barack Obama's presidential candidacy, but surprised some by revealing a couple of weeks after the election that he initially had suggested that Obama "might want to consider waiting" to run.

Read more: http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2010/10/ted_sorenson_sp.html

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http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/01/us/01sorensen.html?hp
Theodore C. Sorensen, Counselor to Kennedy and Wordsmith, Dies at 82


Theodore C. Sorensen with President John F. Kennedy in the Oval Office in 1961.

[CTyankee]

1. This is so sad! I remember him so well. I liked him a LOT!

I always thought of him as the consummate liberal...

[TeaBagsAreForCups]

2. Sorenson. An example of when liberals...

... once they achieved office looked to men as profound and capable as Sorenson to actually accomplish meaningful legislation and move progressive ideals beyond pre-election promises and mere campaign proclamations.

A truly eminent liberal who wore the title proudly.

[KT2000]

3. He helped to elevate us all

with his speeches.
RIP Mr.Sorensen.

[Faygo Kid]

4. He will be missed. A wonderful person.

All the best to his family.

[Faygo Kid]

5. A good and decent human being. Fox News rejoices, but the rest of us mourn.

Boomer icons leave us. Ted was never a supporter of the Vietnam War. I think.

[nyy1998]

6. RIP Ted

[Raine]

7. VERY sad news

R-I-P Ted.

[Odin2005]

8. Oh No!

:cry:

[democrat2thecore]

9. Spoke w/ him in Iowa in 2007 - felt like I had touched a piece of history. RIP, sir. -nt

[DesertFlower]

10. RIP.

[Omaha Steve]

11. I met Ted just over 2 years ago at the Ne. Democratic Convention

Bought his autographed book. Wonderful man. And he thought the world of of Senator Barack Obama.

[ellisonz]

12. Wise man.

[YankeeLeft7x]

13. Liberals Have Nothing to Apologize For

Be Proud You're a Liberal and Not a Rotten Republican Pig!!!!

[Axrendale]

14. A great figure in his own right

It is saddening to hear that he is gone.

[BuelahWitch]

15. RIP Mr. Sorenson!

:cry:

[EFerrari]

16. Damn.

[Hook]

17. RIP

[No Elephants]

18. Wonderful human being. Great mind. Eloquent. CLASSY. Huge loss.

[Hekate]

19. Ted Sorensen is stepping into the history he helped to make, and to write. Condolences to his family

And thanks to him.

Hekate

[Octafish]

20. A True Peacemaker.

Throughout his life and in all his work, Ted Sorensen put dreams into words that led to peace and a better world.



It was my privilege to hear Mr. Sorensen speak about the 60s at Macomb Cultural Center at Macomb Community College in Clinton Township, Michigan on March 26, 2009. I wished my wife and kids could’ve been there with me. I also wished my DU friends could hear him talk about the decade that he said will be remembered as a most important period in the coming centuries.

Sorensen described three major accomplishments of the Kennedy Administration that may prove essential for the survival of the nation and planet:

1. Man left the earth, braved the sea of space and voyaged to the moon, exploring a new world. In the process, the U.S. demonstrated to the world that free people can establish technological and peaceful pre-eminence in space.

2. Established in law that all Americans are equal, enforcing the integration of universities in Mississippi and Alabama. Federalized states’ national guards and sent in the Army to preserve law and order on the campus.

3. Kept the peace when almost every counselor in his cabinet and every member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff urged the President to launch an attack on Cuba, a move that would have immediately led to a nuclear exchange with the Soviet Union.

Mr. Sorensen detailed how the world would be after a nuclear war, one where a radioactive atmosphere would mean only a few things might survive if they were underground somewhere. That’s when I thought of cockroaches and Cheney and Poppy Bush and their nonsense of not only survivng, but winning nuclear war.

Anyway, Mr. Sorensen stood the entire time he spoke. He was very engaging and displayed a great and spontaneous sense of humor. He was interesting and profound and sincere.

After the speech, I met him in the book signing line. He asked my name and I couldn’t remember because I was thinking what a wonderful human being. And how lucky I am to be here, not just in the presence of history, not just in the presence of greatness, but in the presence of a truly good man, a leader in every way, a giant, an American hero. I thanked him for keeping the peace when almost everybody counseled war. I wanted to ask a million questions, but started to tear-up.

I wrote about it on DU. DUers on that thread also showed greatness and why this place is so important for keeping alive great ideas and great dreams -- the real stuff this world is made of.