Oral history interview with Terry Sanford, August 20 and 21, 1976

Alternate Titles

• Interview A-0328-2, Southern Oral History Program Collection (#4007)
• Interview with Terry Sanford, August 20 and 21, 1976
• Oral histories of the American South.

Description

Terry Sanford served as the governor of North Carolina from 1961 to 1965 and also as a Democratic U.S. Senator from 1986 to 1993. This interview is the second of two; it covers his political activities since 1960. It starts with his description of how he assembled a campaign team and raised funds to run for governor in 1960. He also explains how he made decisions as governor regarding food tax, tobacco tax, and civil rights. He continued to play a role in state politics after the end of his term, though he never wanted to be a career politician. Sanford participated in national Democratic politics before 1960, and he tells the story of his contributions to the National Democratic Convention in 1960, including his eventual support for John F. Kennedy's presidential nomination. Sanford decided to run for president in 1972 and 1976, but he did not succeed. Instead, he accepted the presidency of Duke University. While discussing that position, he describes changes in higher education in North Carolina since 1964. He also mentions how the role of media in politics has changed campaigns. He ends the interview by explaining why he believes that progress in North Carolina has failed since 1964.

Subjects

Links

• Documenting the American South full text and audio access