President John F. Kennedy's 64th News Conference, State Department Auditorium, 11 AM, November 14th, 1963
ROBERT GORAWSKI: Ladies and Gentlemen, the President of the United States...
SCREEN: [The screen shows a large, rectangular room with a layered ceiling, filled with hundreds of men holding tape recorders and notebooks. At the front, President Kennedy is standing in front of a podium with the Presidential seal on it, several microphones attached to the top. Behind him, a larger version of the seal is hanging on a grey curtain.]
KENNEDY: Good morning, gentlemen. Ladies. Yes?
REPORTER 1: Mr. President, how do you regard Tony Stark sponsoring the defection of Anton Vanko to the United States following the Crimson Dynamo incident last month? Is it appropriate for a private citizen, even one as influential as Mr. Stark, to make these kind of political decisions that could effect the entire nation?
KENNEDY: Mr. Stark had no actual say in the decision, Dr. Vanko's defection would not have been approved by this administration had he not submitted to a thourough vetting process before he was accepted into the country. As Dr. Vanko had not committed any serious crimes on American soil, and all availible evidence indicated that he was in serious danger of execution should he return to Russia, he was remanded to the custody of Stark Enterprises, under the supervision of the U.S State Department. I believe that Dr. Vano can greatly contribute to the United States under Tony Starks employment.
REPORTER 1: This despite Mr. Starks refusal to share his Iron Man technology with the U.S Government?
KENNEDY: While I may not agree with Mr. Starks decision regarding his Iron Man armor, this is still a capitalist nation, and he is under no obligation to sell any product he does not wish to.
REPORTER 1: Defection or not, Dr. Vanko did essentially assault a U.S citizen using his Crimson Dynamo armor, what is your response towards the Soviet Union using their own citizens as weapons against the United States?
KENNEDY: Unfortunately, while our embassy in Moscow has launched a formal protest, the Russian government insists that Dr. Vanko operated on his own behalf with no orders from them, and as Iron Man's identity is a secret and we have no actual proof he even is a U.S citizen, the entire event is legally problematic. Next question? Yes, you.
REPORTER 2: Mr. President, it seems unlikely that your civil rights bill will pass Congress any time soon, and some are saying that individuals with so-called metahuman abilities should not be included in the proposal at all. Does this disturb you?
KENNEDY: It's an unfortunate response, and an increasingly foolish one, if I may say so. Whatever your opinion on empowered individuals may be, they are unquestioningly citizens of the United States, they've been here for many years now, and that isn't going to change based on someones opinion. This bill needs to pass, and the longer the delay, the more issues we're going to face down the line.
REPORTER 3: What is your response towards the concern from several parties that The Hulk remains a threat to national security, and allowing him to not only remain outside military custody, but also be allowed membership with The Avengers, who are based in the largest city in the U.S, is a disaster waiting to happen?
KENNEDY: I have consulted with several of my military advisors in the armed forces, and while I have taken the concern of the possible threat the Hulk might pose into consideration, it's been my decision that the danger he poses has been vastly overstated by parties, who shall remain nameless, and have a vested interest in imprisoning The Hulk. It's my belief that The Hulk is not a mindless weapon as was previously reported, and I think his actions so far have proven him to be capable of self-control, and there is thus no reason to treat him any different than the other Avengers. My administration will not approve any further antagonizing of The Hulk until such a time this changes.
REPORTER 3: What of the demands that the U.S Government should pursue legal control over vigilante groups such as The Avengers rather than allowing them to operate independently, or organize groups that answer directly to the government, such as what was done with The Invaders during World War 2.
KENNEDY: The Invaders were formed due to wartime emergency, and vastly different circumstances. Neither me nor my advisors see any current need for similar efforts to be made today, as the more informal groups such as The Avengers or the Fantastic Four have shown themselves adept at responding to superhuman threats. Both of these teams have proven themselves willing to work with government liasons as necessary without any sort of coercion being necessary. Next question.
REPORTER 4: Mr. President, what are your thoughts on the international criticism that has been directed towards Victor Von Doom and his aggressive behavior towards the nations surrounding Latveria, as well as accusations that he's abused his status as leader of Latveria to pursue personal grudges on foreign soil with impunity?
KENNEDY: Dr. Von Doom's behavior is strongly condemned by both myself and my entire administration, and I'd like to personally remind him that while the U.S has no desire to resort to military reprisal, we will if his aggression towards either us or our foreign allies are not halted. This kind of behavior is not acceptable by any political leader, especially not a head of state!
REPORTER 5: Mr. President, what about the rumors coming out of China regarding...
.....
"John, I REALLY wish you'd reconsider the Dallas trip. I know it's stupid, but I just got a bad feeling about this whole thing..."
John looked up from the paperwork he'd been going through at his desk, as Bobby paced restlessly in the middle of the office. "Bobby, you of all people know why I have to do it. If we're to have any chance at the election next year, I need to atleast try to win back some of the support we lost in the South, and Dallas is the perfect place to start. We haven't exactly endeared ourselves down there over the past few years."
"I know, but still... it feels like you're walking willfully walking into the belly of the beast here, John. There's a lot of angry people down there, and I think Jackie is getting worried about your safety too."
"Now, don't go bringing Jackie into this, Bobby. I don't know what's gotten into you, but I'm going to be fine, so calm down already."
Bobby sighed, rubbing his face tiredly "Atleast take some extra security with you!"
John stood up, exasperated "Bring who, exactly? You want me to roll through Dallas surrounded by the National Guard? Bring in the army, maybe? That'll send a really confident message to the voters. The answer to all our problems isn't just going to walk through the door!"
Before Bobby could respond, the door to the office suddenly opened, and a nervous-looking aide, followed by a Secret Service agent stepped in.
"Er, Mr. President, sir? We got a call from... Captain America. He asked if that job you offered him was still availible?"