Mr. O'Brien. Well, the following morning the President arose early to attend a breakfast. As I recall, it was a civic breakfast, sponsored by the local civic group or groups.
Mr. Adams. Did Mrs. Kennedy attend that, also, as you recall?
Mr. O'Brien. She arrived at the breakfast, as I recall, following the President. The President spoke at the breakfast, and received gifts, and Mrs. Kennedy received a gift. I recall one of the gifts to the President was a Stetson. I recall that he did not try it on, but he appreciated receiving it.
Following the breakfast, he then spoke to a large crowd in front of the hotel, in the parking area opposite the hotel. There had been indications of bad weather. There was some rain, and then the rain became intermittent.
Upon completing his speech in the parking area, he returned upstairs to await the normal departure time.
When that time arrived, I went downstairs ahead of the President and Mrs. Kennedy, and the Secret Service were determining whether or not they would have the top up or down on the car, because there was still an occasional drop of rain. However, a few minutes elapsed, and it appeared the weather would stay good for the drive to the airport. So he left, to the best of my recollection—I feel sure of this—in an open car to the airport from the hotel.
Mr. Adams. While we are on that subject, just to digress for a moment, what was his attitude toward riding in open cars?
Mr. O'Brien. It was certainly his preference. He had always expressed a view that in our democracy a President should, whenever possible, be exposed to the people. And I think, also, he felt the people should be exposed to him. He always wanted to have the closest possible contact with people. And in that context his preference certainly at all times was an open car.
Mr. Adams. And these preferences were expressed to you personally?
Mr. O'Brien. Not in the context of this particular situation.