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A Government as Good As Its People
This volume presents sixty-two of the best and most notable public statements made by Jimmy Carter on his way to becoming president of the United States. Included are formal speeches on specific issues, such as "Pardon Yes, Amnesty, No" delivered in Seattle, Washington, August 24, 1976; news conferences like the one on "Ethnic Purity" conducted for the American Society of Newspaper Editors in Washington, D.C., April 13, 1976; informal remarks made to political gatherings; interviews (including the controversial Playboy interview from November 1976); and excerpts from the debates with President Ford. Available again in paperback, this sampling of President Carter's philosophy is extremely readable. Carter's public pronouncements address the major concerns of our time - crime, taxes, technology, poverty, nuclear energy, world order, foreign policy, urban sprawl, human rights, the American family - and collectively stand as a testament to his deeply held conviction that we still can, and must, have "a government as good as its people."
262 pages, Hardcover
First published June 13, 1977
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
July 22, 2011
This collection of excerpts from Jimmy Carter's speeches and interviews was published soon after his inauguration as U.S. President, and I guess was meant to serve as a reminder to the people and to himself as to what he planned to accomplished in office. It begins with his inauguration as the governor of George in January 1971, and ends with his inauguration address as President in January 1977. In the introduction Carter himself expressed his hope that this book would be part of his continuing effort to communicate with the American people and all of the world.
What impressed me most about these speeches and interviews was Carter's precise eloquence, both in his prepared speeches and his unscripted comments. I was also surprised by his simple honesty when discussing his humble beginnings and his religious beliefs.
While reading this book I watched the documentary By the People about President Obama's candidacy and was struct by how much some things have changed, and also by how some things have not changed at all. Carter's address to the American Public Health Association on October 19, 1976, would not be a bit obsolete in today's health care debate.
Reading in this book the decency with which he discussed his opponent and his overarching hope to restore faith in American government, I was again saddened to recall how his efforts as President were eventually shortened by the emergence of character-assassination politics and attack journlism which have increasingly predominated since.
What impressed me most about these speeches and interviews was Carter's precise eloquence, both in his prepared speeches and his unscripted comments. I was also surprised by his simple honesty when discussing his humble beginnings and his religious beliefs.
While reading this book I watched the documentary By the People about President Obama's candidacy and was struct by how much some things have changed, and also by how some things have not changed at all. Carter's address to the American Public Health Association on October 19, 1976, would not be a bit obsolete in today's health care debate.
Reading in this book the decency with which he discussed his opponent and his overarching hope to restore faith in American government, I was again saddened to recall how his efforts as President were eventually shortened by the emergence of character-assassination politics and attack journlism which have increasingly predominated since.
June 2, 2012
Political rhetoric to be sure but the man before and at the beginning of his presidency. He proves the thesis that there is little room in America for anyone who is simply not ruthless in all ways. His faith and decency got in the way of the America that sees itself as owning the globe and willing to crush any nation/leader that challenges this hedgemony.
August 10, 2025
An interesting campaign book as I've ever read, given that it was published after the election of the candidate in question. In this volume, President-elect Carter and his campaign publish a select group of his remarks as a candidate, offering a glimpse into one of the most fascinating dark horse candidates who ever ran for the highest office in this, the most powerful nation on Earth at the time.
Carter's strong suit as a candidate was never his stirring oratory, and this is painfully evident at times when reading his speeches. It does speak well of the man's nature that he saw fit to include comments which represented lows for him and his campaign, 1) his calls for ethnic purity when it came to communities, 2) his 'scandalous' Playboy interview, and 3) the actions of his Baptist church to exclude an African-American provocateur from attending Sunday services on the eve of the Election.
The book however is illuminating. It's clear that Carter in 1975-6 offered a certain naive version of America that the country craved after such shocks as the fallout from Vietnam, the multiple scandals emanating from Watergate, the explosion of violence and destruction that was the late 1960s, etc. Carter's personal warmth and touch was what ultimately led him to prevail against President Ford, though only by the narrowest of margins, second only to the election of 1960.
Not coincidentally, it's clear that Carter looked to President Kennedy as a model for elocution and delivery, and while not a perfect comparison, it's easy to see why. Carter was only 7 years younger than Kennedy, and both were of a similar mind when it came to civic participation and service. But while Kennedy was more urbane and aloof in style, Carter was more of the times, with a humility and sincerity that no Brahman and their kin could ever match. I'm glad that he served. I'm very sorry he's not here.
Carter's strong suit as a candidate was never his stirring oratory, and this is painfully evident at times when reading his speeches. It does speak well of the man's nature that he saw fit to include comments which represented lows for him and his campaign, 1) his calls for ethnic purity when it came to communities, 2) his 'scandalous' Playboy interview, and 3) the actions of his Baptist church to exclude an African-American provocateur from attending Sunday services on the eve of the Election.
The book however is illuminating. It's clear that Carter in 1975-6 offered a certain naive version of America that the country craved after such shocks as the fallout from Vietnam, the multiple scandals emanating from Watergate, the explosion of violence and destruction that was the late 1960s, etc. Carter's personal warmth and touch was what ultimately led him to prevail against President Ford, though only by the narrowest of margins, second only to the election of 1960.
Not coincidentally, it's clear that Carter looked to President Kennedy as a model for elocution and delivery, and while not a perfect comparison, it's easy to see why. Carter was only 7 years younger than Kennedy, and both were of a similar mind when it came to civic participation and service. But while Kennedy was more urbane and aloof in style, Carter was more of the times, with a humility and sincerity that no Brahman and their kin could ever match. I'm glad that he served. I'm very sorry he's not here.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews