Oral History Interview with Terry Sanford, December 16 and 18, 1986. Interview C-0038. Southern Oral History Program Collection (#4007).
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Abstract
Terry Sanford, a Democratic politician who served as a state senator, governor, and U.S. senator in North Carolina and held the presidency at Duke University, reflects on his political career in this interview. He focuses on his goals for his upcoming Senate career, describing the positive campaign strategy that secured him a seat in the United States Senate in 1986. His emphasis on positivity complements his emphasis on unity, a trait he sought to restore to the Democratic Party with his incursions into national politics, including as a candidate for the Democratic nomination for president in 1972 and 1976. Sanford leaves unsaid what precisely Democratic politicians could do to restore unity, however—a thorny question complicated by the fact that the Democrats' disarray in Sanford's North Carolina was likely due to the party's support for civil rights for African Americans. His focus on unity was complemented by what he describes as a positive television ad push that emphasized his record, and his determination not to court certain voting blocs for fear of antagonizing them. This interview offers an interesting look at the way a moderate southern Democrat gained political influence, and won over southern voters, in the increasingly conservative 1970s and 1980s.
Excerpts
Failure to collect the Nixon papers at Duke University
Explaining Durham's shortcomings
Deciding to run for president in 1972
Sanford aims to reunite the Democratic Party in the early 1970s
A Democratic loss convinces Sanford to run a positive campaign
A Democratic loss convinces Sanford to run a positive campaign
A positive campaign strategy wins Sanford a primary
Sanford tries to avoid overtly courting African American voters
Sanford's strategy to woo religious voters
Campaign establishes a strong foundation before seeking votes through ads
Various reasons for an unlikely Democratic Senate win
Accepting an appointment to a vacated seat may be a political mistake
A positive campaign appeals to a variety of voters
Legislative priorities for the upcoming Senate session
The effort to pass the Speaker Ban
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Subjects
North Carolina--Politics and government
Governors--North Carolina
Duke University. President
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