the speech itself has been listed as one of the greatest in american history, ranked 17th by communications scholars in a survey of 20th century american speeches. former u.s. congressman and media host joe scarborough said that it was kennedy's greatest speech and was what prompted scarborough to enter public service. journalist joe klein has called it "politics in its grandest form and highest purpose" and said that it "marked the end of an era" before american political life was taken over by consultants and pollsters. it is also recounted in the prologue of his book, "politics lost".