Sept. 1, 1964 - The sidewalks were bouncing with Kennedy kids around the Carlyle Hotel on East 76th Street today. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy’s wife, Ethel, set up a command post there with 10 youngsters — seven of hers, two cousins, and a friend, plus several adults.
Ethel, who is expecting her ninth child in December, left her youngest son at Hyannis Port, Mass., when the party flew to New York. The other seven and the three that came with them played in front of the hotel, made faces at photographers, and went to a nearby drugstore for ice cream.
Then the kids piled into a station wagon for a trip to the Central Park Zoo. They returned to the Carlyle to freshen up before all 10 were taken to the 71st Regiment Armory to hear the Attorney General’s name placed in nomination for Senator from New York.
Bobby Kennedy Jr. was cautioned by his father before the proceedings: “You know you are my namesake, and if someone at the convention yells out ‘Robert F. Kennedy Jr.,’ now don’t you go up and make a speech.”
In mid-afternoon, Ethel went to the armory to hear her husband nominated. Waiting there were the Attorney General’s sister and brother-in-law, Jean and Stephen Smith. There was also another sister, Mrs. Eunice Shriver, who flew in with Ethel.
Before going to the armory, Ethel told reporters, “we’ll be living in Washington” if Bobby is elected. She said she will “do as much as I’m asked to” during his campaign.
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