Nancy Pelosi

Noted for being the first female Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi is an American politician serving in the House of Representatives since 1/4/07.

“My Introduction to the Kennedy Family” - 8/4/2008

Transcript

NANCY PELOSI: But that was my introduction to this great family and, Teddy, I’m so honored that you are here this evening. Thank you so much. I’m just associating with the Kennedy Library now. 

If you want to know more about my youth, I'll tell you about it. It was the era of Elvis Presley, cling-on skirts, cinch belts, Peter Pan collars, circle pins, charm bracelets and an occasional -- but they tell me not to say this -- an occasional cashmere sweater set. Does anybody … no, you’re too young. But read in the history books and you will read about it. It was my youth. So in 1960 when we went to the convention -- I went with my parents to the convention. It was the most exciting thing. Here we bring out the first Catholic presidential candidate, nominee for president of the United States. It was very thrilling in every respect, and I'll go into more detail if you want later. But one of the things that happened that night -- which speaks to my family situation -- is we went to the L.A. Coliseum to see President Kennedy deliver his speech, and it was so fabulous -- tens of thousands of people there.  I see the great Chairman Johnson of the Massachusetts Democratic Party is here. You read about this in the history books too, but I was there. I was there. Anyway, the speech is fantastic. So I said to my father and mother -- we’re doing all this political stuff when we’re over there-- I would like to go to a Hollywood spot when we’re there so I found out that I wanted to go to this place called Romanoff’s, which is a very expensive restaurant in Hollywood or someplace in Hollywood down there and that would be my treat, that would be my special occasion, in addition to the politics. So we go to the restaurant after the L.A. Coliseum, the stadium and we’re sitting in the restaurant. They bring the menus.

My father says, “Wow, look at these prices. How did you ever find this place? Why are we here?” And I said, “Well, this is Hollywood, and it costs a lot of money here.” But it was very expensive. And my friends to this day say, “You really did take them to an expensive restaurant.”  But the point being that the door opens and in walks John F. Kennedy and his entourage and all of a sudden this place was perfect. It was perfect. [laughter]  He came right over the table.  “Mr. Mayor, how are you? Thanks for all you’re doing to help and all the rest.” I had on this big pin that said “Youth for Kennedys.”  Oh, it was so exciting. We could hardly … and the prices just seemed to melt.