Humphrey Defends Viet Policy

May 13, 1965 - Vice President Hubert Humphrey defended American foreign policy before a cheering crowd of students at the University of Pittsburgh today and dressed down a questioner who asked him about “American atrocities in Vietnam.”

“I’m glad you asked about that. I’m really going to tear into you,” Humphrey told the unidentified student at a meeting on the campus.

“Only the Viet Cong has committed atrocities in Vietnam,” Humphrey said. “The Viet Cong has committed the most unbelievable acts of terrorism the world has ever known. There is no doubt there are Communists in South Vietnam. But I have yet to hear any college students rise up and say, ‘What is this barbarism?’”

He ended by saying: “Keep your mind on the enemy, and the enemy is not in Washington.”

Humphrey will be the principal speaker tonight at the Democrats’ annual Jefferson Day dinner.

Support this project at patreon.com/realtime1960s