Security not something I think about: Obama

Image
Press Trust of India Washington
Last Updated : Nov 23 2013 | 7:55 PM IST
President Barack Obama has said that though John F Kennedy's assassination transformed the US Secret Service, which protects him and his family today, he does not spend much time worrying about his personal safety.
"It's not something I think about," Obama said. "Mainly because we have a Secret Service that does an outstanding job every single day.
"And, obviously, tragedy reshaped the Secret Service in many ways, but they do an outstanding job and it's thankfully not something I spend a lot of time worrying about," he told ABC News in an interview set to air in full next week.
Obama also reflected on Kennedy's untimely death in 1963, which came nearly three years into his presidency, and its lasting impact on the US.
"And it's been an incredible legacy but JFK in particular, I think, captured the idealism, the ability to imagine and remake America to meets its ideals, in a way we haven't seen before or since," he said.
"And I don't know of anyone who has had that same impact on a generation and inspired so many people as JFK has."
Kennedy's ability to move a generation scarred by World War II into the future is the source of the lasting effect of his presidency, Obama said.
"I think that partly because of his youth, partly, and his grace, partly because of his courage and his history in World War II, partly because of his eloquence and partly because of the time.
"Because there was a shift from the post-World War II generation into the future," he said.
"He really moved people in a way that still resonates with us today."
Thousands of people yesterday joined an event in Dallas' Dealey Plaza, where Kennedy was shot by Lee Harvey Oswald, to mark the 50th anniversary of the assassination.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Nov 23 2013 | 7:55 PM IST

Next Story