Rogers, Will -- Column (1928-11-04), “Daily Telegram”

Dave — Fri, 29 Aug 2025 17:10:07 +0000

Hoover would like to live in the White House. Smith is not adverse to living in the White House. In order to get in there either one will promise the voters anything from perpetual motion to eternal salvation.

Will Rogers (1879–1935) American humorist
Column (1928-11-04), “Daily Telegram”
(Source)

Referring to the 1928 Republican and Democratic presidential nominees Herbert Hoover and Al Smith. Also included in The Autobiography of Will Rogers (1949) [ed. Donald Day].

Variant:

Fellows would like to live in the White House, and in order to get there they will promise the voters anything from perpetual motion to eternal salvation.

Kennedy, John F. -- Speech (1960-07-15), “The New Frontier,” Presidential Nomination Acceptance Speech, Democratic National Convention, Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles

Dave — Mon, 16 Jun 2014 12:52:41 +0000

Woodrow Wilson’s New Freedom promised our nation a new political and economic framework. Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal promised security and succor to those in need. But the New Frontier of which I speak is not a set of promises — it is a set of challenges. It sums up not what I intend to offer the American people, but what I intend to ask of them. It appeals to their pride, not to their pocketbook — it holds out the promise of more sacrifice instead of more security.

John F. Kennedy (1917–1963) American politician, author, journalist, US President (1961–63)
Speech (1960-07-15), “The New Frontier,” Presidential Nomination Acceptance Speech, Democratic National Convention, Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles
(Source)

(Source (Video)). In the actual speech, the last lines here ran:

It appeals to their pride, not ... [interrupted by applause] ... it appeals to our pride, not our security. It holds out the promise of more sacrifice instead of more security.

WIST Quotations

Rogers, Will -- Column (1928-11-04), “Daily Telegram”

Kennedy, John F. -- Speech (1960-07-15), “The New Frontier,” Presidential Nomination Acceptance Speech, Democratic National Convention, Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles