Interview · moment 19 of 23
Kennedy's Health, Infidelity, and Focusing on Policy
from Dead President with Russ Baker · #125
Audio-only archive episode — no video to seek.
2 minGuest
Tim and Russ briefly address JFK's health problems and alleged sexual misconduct before agreeing that policy substance matters more than personal scandal, illustrated by an anecdote about a woman fixated only on the Lewinsky affair.
- 1:08:02Kennedy had Addison's disease, wore a secret back brace, and was in agony much of the time.
- 1:08:39When discussing political leaders, it's important to focus on policy first and foremost, not personal scandals.
- 1:08:56Tim recalls a wedding during the Clinton impeachment where an elderly woman was angry about what Clinton did to "that girl" but had no awareness of his actual policy.
- 1:09:20The media and public want prurience because it's the junk food—it's easier to understand than policy.