The Mimi Alford interview was very credible and candid–very candid in places. She was a 19 year old intern who got a job she did not ask for. He was the most powerful man in the world. He was sophisticated, good looking, and by all accounts charismatic and playful.
Most of that JFK Kennedys are deceased. Caroline and her children remain. What has she done to steel herself from these kinds of stories? Does she deserve to hear this kind of story about her father? Is that just one of the side effects of fame and fortune and politics? Both Johnson girls as well as the Nixon ladies have had to endure their fair share of negativity involving their father. Then there is Chelsea Clinton.
Is Mimi Alford a scarlet woman at age 19 or was she the victim of a man who had a sexual predator side to his nature? Mimi was a fairly innocent girl at the time her affair began, unlike other young women who set their eyes on the president.
After the interview was over, I felt that Mimi had not yet come to terms with her relationship. There were still a few miles to go. I wish her success. I actually understand her. I don’t think I understand him.
JFK grew up in the shadow of his older brother who was killed in WWII. The father had groomed the son Joe Jr. for the presidency since birth. It fell on Jack to take his place. Jack apparently was a player from adolescence on. Was it his looks, his money, or the influence of his father who brought his women into the Kennedy home even?
In the 60’s, if the press knew about his philandering, and by all accounts, they did, it simply would not have been reported. Unspoken rules of the day. When did that all change? I am not sure? Any speculation? Watergate? Was it a sudden change or was it gradual? What did the Wilbur Mills ‘accident’ have to do with it? Gary Hart and the Monkey Business? Your opinion please.
Boy, he went from Marilyn Monroe to her?
ASSUMING this is true – and I would need other people to verify it as credible before I’d believe it –
I don’t begrudge her telling us the story, but she’s no victim. An 18-month affair with a married man? Please. “He was childlike and happy with me” Yeah I bet most old geezers are if they are banging a 19-year old girl.
Would he be fairly considered predatory to do this with an Intern? Yes. Most guys wouldn’t make that choice.
@Starry, I don’t think was monogamous with his paramours.
Rick, most of the people are dead. That was brought up in the post interview part of the show. I am going to disagree with you. I saw her as a victim. I know the times she lived in. Maybe victim is too strong of a word. I think he very much took advantage of her youth, inexperience, and naivete.
I do not think that Monica Lewinsky was a victim. She had a track record of ‘collecting’ men in authority. She was also of a different generation; a generation that was much more comfortable with equality in sexual relationships. Mimi’s experience was far different. She came of age in a time when men and women were not equal in sexual relationships. If you saw that interview with Jackie, that is so obvious. She ‘knew her place’ even.
Rick, now I am going to laugh at your old geezer remark. Agreed.
I had to do it here because I had something to serious say about MImi. She is older thaN I am but I do know and understand male/female roles back in those times. They were very seriously different. I don’t see her as a femme fatale at all. She lost her virginity in the first lady’s bedroom. Geez.
@Starryflights
New and un-used toys are always the most interesting.
Does this woman have a family?
If so, wonder how they feel about this book.
Why did she feel she had to write it? Does she need the money?
Why do people have an interest in this? It’s said that sex sells, so I assume that’s why.
Didn’t watch the inteview; didn’t know it was scheduled even.
Her parents are dead, Punchak. She said in the interview that is one thing she would change, she would tell her parents and she felt that they would be very forgiving.
She doesn’t need the money. I think it is part of the healing process for her.
I don’t know how I feel about it or her. I have mixed feelings. A big part of me understands her side of it. Another part of me sets off the ‘ho alarm. But I don’t think she was. Not really. I think she was in way over her head and didn’t know how to stop it. After a certain point, she didn’t want to stop it.
Having all the major players dead is such a convenience. Who’s going to refute any of it? Ka-ching!
Razors for lunch? Did you see the interview? She seemed very believable. Do I know for certain? No. Does it matter? Probably not.
If it is true or even partly true, times sure have changed.
I didn’t say she was a seductress. I just said she’s no victim.
And I want to put in a good word for Monica Lewinsky. All she did was “blow a guy”; no crime in my book. The worst thing she really did was confide to a friend, who was a dishionorable person. She was far less indiscreet than Clinton himself. I think that Monica Lewinsky handled the whole scandal with extreme poise, actually. She suffered a great deal but conducted herself well. And has never been found to perjure herself.
The press reports describe a “beautiful blonde” hanging around Kennedy during that time. The picture shows neither. Interesting.
@Emma, there was probably a beautiful red head and a beautiful brunette there too. He was hardly monogamous in his cheating habits. Maybe it was Marilyn.
I am not going to lose any sleep over it one way or the other. He is what he is and in many ways has become larger than life in death. His role as a husband really doesn’t concern me. His role as a president does. Mimi’s book neither adds or subtracts to or from my memory of him. His historical contributions are unique and remarkable.
When Teddy died, I really did feel like it was the end of an era and I was glued to the TV. Perhaps my obsession was for us rather than them. The Kennedys were somehow wedged in my parents generation but we kids all thought they belonged to us. That speaks volumes.
Chris Matthews said he met Mimi.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/10/chris-matthews-mimi-alford-jfk_n_1268661.html?ref=media