JFK’s ‘Ask not’ speech writer Sorensen dies

THEODORE Sorensen, the studious aide and alter ego to President John F Kennedy, whose poetic turns of phrase helped idealise and immortalise a tragically brief administration, has died at 82.

Sorensen’s death came as supporters of his friend and boss were preparing to celebrate the 50th anniversary of a very different moment in history – the election of JFK as president and the speech that remains the greatest collaboration between Sorensen and Kennedy and the standard for modern oratory.

With its call for self-sacrifice and civic engagement – “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country” – and its promise to spare no cost in defending the country’s interests worldwide, the address was an uplifting but haunting reminder of national purpose and confidence, before Vietnam, assassinations, Watergate, terrorist attacks and economic shock.