The so-called "missile gap", a mainstay of Cold War rhetoric, was cited by the Kennedy campaign to justify its proposed increases in defense spending. Once in power, the Kennedy Administration proved less eager to publicize the embarrassing truth, that the United States had always been in a position of nuclear superiority. In short, the deterrent ratio might well shift to the Soviets so heavily, during the years of the [missile] gap, as to open to them a shortcut to world domination. . . . In the years of the gap, the Soviets may be expected to use their superior striking ability to achieve their objective in many ways which may not require launching an actual attack. Their missile power will be the shield from behind which they will slowly, but surely, advance. . . .
Source: speaking before the Senate, August 14, 1958
Contributed by: Zaady