President Eisenhower S Press Conference Footage

PRESIDENT EISENHOWER'S PRESS CONFERENCE
	Tape Master:	8573
	Catalog #:	525115
	Clip Number:	525115-2
	Orginal Film:	UN 2818 C
	Timecode:	01:42:24 - 01:46:49
	Location:	Washington DC
	Year Shot:	1956 (Actual Year)
	Audio:	Yes
	Color:	No
	Headings:	JOURNALISM: Press Conference LOCATIONS/NORTH AMERICA: USA, Washington D.C. PERSONALITIES: Eisenhower, Dwight (Ike)
	Description:	Q. Edward P. Morgan, American Broadcasting Company: Sir, no one has been franker than yourself in revealing the state of your health. How would you expect this issue to be handled in the campaign? THE PRESIDENT. Well, I hadn't given it any thought, but as for my part, I am going to try to be just as truthful as I can be. I believe this: I think even people who would classify themselves probably as my political enemies do believe I am honest. They may call me stupid, but I think they think I am honest. [Laughter] Q. Walter Kerr, New York Herald Tribune: I wonder if you could tell us, sir, what you regard at the moment as being the major issues in this campaign? THE PRESIDENT. No, I don't think I want to sort them out and now define them as issues. What I am going to say is this: I have a record established before the American people; that is my campaign. Q. William V. Shannon, New York Post: As you may know, four of the southern State legislatures have passed interposition resolutions stating that the Supreme Court decision outlawing segregation has no force and effect in their States; and I was wondering what you thought about this concept of interposition, and what you thought was the role of the Federal Government in enforcing the Supreme Court decision? THE PRESIDENT. Well, of course, you have asked a very vast question that is filled with argument on both sides. You have raised the question of States rights versus Federal power; you have particularly brought up the question whether the Supreme Court is the last word we have in the interpretation of our Constitution. Now, this is what I say: there are adequate legal means of determining all of these factors. The Supreme Court has issued its own operational directives and delegated power to the district courts. I expect that we are going to make progress, and the Supreme Court itself said it does not expect revolutionary action suddenly executed. We will make progress, and I am not going to attempt to tell them how it is going to be done. Q. Merriman Smith, United Press: Mr. President, would you tell us in your own words or analyze for us what you think of your present state of health. THE PRESIDENT. I will this evening. Q. Mr. Smith: Well, can you give us a little bit this morning? THE PRESIDENT. No, I think not. The trouble is, Mr. Smith, it opens up a variety of questions for doctors and myself and the rest of it, and I think I have got to have a little time to tell that story. Q. Richard L. Wilson, Cowles Publications: Mr. President, do you consider the lack of Republican control of Congress to be a handicap to your administration? If you do, what action will you take to attempt to get a Republican Congress? THE PRESIDENT. Well, the latter part of your question I am not going to answer now because it is going over into the field of the future. This is what I believe: if we are honestly dedicated to a two-party system, that is, to a single party responsibility in this country, then the Legislature and the Executive should properly be in the same hands, so that there can be responsibility fixed without crimination and recrimination. So to that extent you may interpret it as you please, but this is not to deny that in many things which I wanted, I have had active and vital Democratic support in certain of the programs that I have advanced. But I do say if we are going to adhere to the two-party system as a fundamental part of our political doctrine, we should, certainly whenever it is humanly possible, have these groups under the control of the same party. Q. Mr. Wilson: Do you believe, sir, that the existence of a Democratically-controlled Congress has prevented the adoption of any important part of your program? THE PRESIDENT. I have never analyzed it in that way, Mr. Wilson. And I couldn't say that for sure, but I do say, as I just admitted, that in many instances I have had definite Democratic approval.