she had been a factor of atlas stephenson, but -- adlai stevenson, but the democratic convention had nominated john kennedy. she really wasn't especially fond of john kennedy. she felt he was a little bit too young to president, and she was worried about his commitment to civil rights legislation. but he needed her support, he felt, in order to win what he knew would be a very close election. she was a very powerful woman in the democratic party at a time when women didn't have a lot of power in politics, but eleanor roosevelt did. she was well respected, and he knew that without her support, he might not win that election. so he came literally here, wanting to get her support, asking her for support. so they had a very intense meeting together here. she wanted him to promise that he would support civil rights legislation if he became president. that was a clause very close to her heart. she made him promise that, and when he finally agreed to do that, she did agree to support him. >> john f. kennedy came to visit me at hyde park. we talked together, and i learned that he was truly i