President Jimmy Carter's Farewell Address

No I don't hear a word thank you. The family was in the White House. Jimmy Carter says good bye. Good evening and a few moments Jimmy Carter says his farewells after four years as president of the United States he'll be speaking from the oval office the office he surrenders officially to Ronald Reagan next Tuesday. Advance billing on his farewell address tonight is that it's a low key look forward rather than an examination of the past four years of the Carter presidency. But we shall see. Mr. Mr. Carter reportedly wrote most of the speech if not all of it himself leaving out roles for his various speechwriters and now the president of the United

States. Good evening. In a few days I will lay down my official responsibilities in this office to take up once more the only title in our democracy superior to that of president. The title of citizen. Also Vice President Mondale my Cabinet and the hundreds of others who have served with me during the last four years. I would just say now publicly what I have said in private. I thank them for the dedication and confidence they've brought to the service of our country. But I have my deepest thanks to you to the American people because you gave me this extraordinary opportunity to serve. We faced great challenges together and we know that future problems will also be difficult. But I'm now more convinced and never that the United States better than any other country can meet successfully whatever the future might bring. These last four years have made me more certain than

ever of the end of strength of our country. The unchanging value of our principles and ideals the stability of our political system the ingenuity and the decency of our people. Tonight I would like to first just say a few words about this most special office the presidency of the United States. This is it once the most powerful office in the world. And among the most severely constrained by law and custom the president is given a broad responsibility to lead but cannot do so without the support and consent of the people expressed formally through the Congress and informally in many ways through a whole range of public and private institutions. This is as it should be within our system of government. Every American has a right and a duty to help shape the future course of the United States. Thoughtful criticism and close scrutiny of all government officials by the press and the

public on important part of our democratic society now as in the past only the understanding and involvement of the people through full and open debate can help to avoid serious mistakes and assure the continued dignity and safety of the nation. Today we are asking our political system to do things of which the founding fathers never dreamed. The government they designed for a few hundred thousand people now serves a nation of almost two hundred and thirty million people. Their small coastal Republic now spans beyond the continent and we also now have the responsibility to help lead much of the world through difficult times to a secure and prosperous future. Today as people have become more doubtful of the ability of the government to deal with our problems we are increasingly drawn to single issue

groups and special interest organizations to ensure that whatever else happens our own personal views and our own private interests are protected. This is a disturbing factor in American political life. It tends to distort our purposes because a natural national interest is not always this of all our single or special interest. We are all Americans together and we must not forget that the common good is our common interest and our individual responsibility. Because of the fragmented pressures of these special interests it's very important that the Office of the president be a strong one and that its constitutional authority be preserved. The president is the only elected official charged with the primary responsibility of representing all the people in the moments of decision

after the different and convicting views have all been aired. It's a president who then must speak to the nation and for the nation. I understand that for years in this office as few others can. How formidable is the task of the new president elect is about to undertake and to the very limits of conscience and conviction. I pledge to support him in that time. I wish him success and Godspeed. I know from experience that presidents have to face major issues at a controversial broad in scope and which do not arouse the natural support of a political majority. For a few minutes now I want to lay aside my role as leader of one nation and speak to you as a fellow citizen of the world about three issues three difficult issues the threat of nuclear

destruction our stewardship of the physical resources of our planet and the preeminence of the basic rights of human beings. It's now been 35 years since the first atomic bomb fell on Hiroshima. The great majority of the world's people cannot remember a time when the Nuclear Shadow did not hang over the earth. Our minds have adjusted to it as after a time our eyes adjust to the dark. Yes the risk of a nuclear conflagration has not lessened it has not happened yet thank God. But that can give us little comfort for it only has to happen once the danger is becoming greater as the arsenals of the superpowers grow in size and sophistication and as other government perhaps even in the future dozens of government across these weapons. It

may only be a matter of time before madness desperation and greed all miscalculation. Let's lose this terrible force in an all out nuclear war more destructive power than in all of World War Two would be unleashed every second. During the long afternoon it would take for all the missiles and bombs to fall. World War 2. Ever second more people killed in the first few hours than in all the wars of history put together the survivors if any would live in despair amid the poisoned range of a silver civilization that had committed suicide. National weakness real or perceived can tempt aggression and thus cause war. That's why the United States can never neglect its military strength.

We must and we will remain strong. But with equal determination the United States and all countries must find ways to control and to reduce the horrifying danger that is posed by the enormous world stockpiles of nuclear arms. This is been a concern of every American president since the moment we first saw what these weapons could do. Our leaders will require our understanding and our support as they grapple with this difficult but crucial challenge. There is no disagreement on the goals or the basic approach to controlling this enormous destructive force. The answer lies not just in attitudes or the actions of world leaders but in the concern and the demands of all of us as we continue our struggle to preserve the peace.

Nuclear weapons are an expression of one side of our human character but there's another side the same rocket technology that delivers nuclear warheads has also taken us peacefully into space. From that perspective we see our earth as it really is small and fragile and beautiful blue globe. The only home we have we see no barriers of race or religion or country. We see the essential unity of our species and our planet. And with faith and common sense that bright vision will ultimately prevail. Another major challenge therefore is to protect the quality of this world within which we live. The shadows that fall across the future are cast not only by the kinds of weapons we've built but caught by the kind of world we will either nourish or neglect

their real and growing dangers to our simple and our most precious possessions. The air we breathe the water we drink in the land which sustains us. The rapid depletion of irreplaceable minerals the erosion of topsoil the destruction of beauty the blight of pollution the demands of increasing billions of people all combine to create problems which is easy to observe and predict but difficult to resolve. If we do not act the world of the year 2000 will be much less able to sustain life than it is now. But there is no reason for despair. Acknowledging the physical realities of our planet does not mean a dismal future in the sacrifice. In fact acknowledging these realities is a first step in dealing with them. We can meet the resource problems of the world water food mineral

farmland forests overpopulation pollution. If we tackle them with courage and foresight. I've just been talking about forces of potential destruction that mankind has developed and how we might control them. It's equally important that we remember the beneficial forces that we have evolved over the ages and how to hold fast to them. One of those constructive forces is the enhancement of individual human freedoms through the strengthening of democracy and the fight against the privation torture terrorism and the persecution of people throughout the world. The struggle for human rights overrides all differences of color or nation or language. Those who hunger for freedom who thirst for human dignity and who suffer for the sake of justice they are the patriots of this cause. I

believe with all my heart that America must always stand for these basic human rights at home and abroad. That is both our history and our destiny. America did not invent human rights in a very real sense. It's the other way around. Human rights invented America. I was the first nation in the history of the world to be founded explicitly on such an idea. Our social and political progress has been based on one fundamental principle the value and importance of the individual. The fundamental force that unites us is not kinship or place of origin or religious preference. The love of liberty is a common blood that flows in our American veins. The battle for human rights at home and abroad is far from over. We should never be

surprised nor discouraged because the impact of our efforts has had and will always have their IT results. Rather we should take pride that the ideals which gave birth to our nation still inspire the hopes of oppressed people around the world. We have no cause for self righteousness or complacency but we have every reason to perseverance both within our own country and beyond our borders. If we ought to serve as a beacon for human rights we must continue to perfect here at home the rights and the values which we espouse around the world. A decent education for our children adequate medical care for all Americans an end to discrimination against minorities and women a job for all those able to work and freedom from injustice and religious intolerance. We live in a time of transition and an easy era which is likely to

endure for the rest of this century. It will be a period of tensions both within nations and between nations of competition for scarce resources of social political and economic stresses and strains. During this period we may be tempted to abandon some of the time on it principles and commitments which have been proven during the difficult times of past generations. We must never erode to this temptation. Our American values are not luxuries but necessities. Not the salt in our bread but the bread itself. Our common vision of a free and just society is our greatest source of cohesion at home and strength abroad greater even than the bounty off our material blessings. Remember these words We hold these truths to

be self-evident that all men are created equal that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights that among these a life liberty and the pursuit of happiness. This vision still grips the imagination of the world. But we know that democracy is always an unfinished creation. Each generation must read anew its foundations. Each generation must rediscover the meaning of this hallowed vision in the light of its own modern challenges for this generation ours. Life is nuclear survival. Liberty is human rights the pursuit of happiness is a planet whose resources are devoted to the physical and spiritual nourishment of its inhabitants. During the next few days

I will work hard to make sure that the transition from myself to the next president is a good one that the American people are served well and I will continue as I have the last 14 months to work hard and to pray for the lives and the well-being of the American hostages held in Iran. I can't predict yet what will happen but I hope you will join me in my constant prayer for their freedom as I return home to the south where I was born and raised. I look forward to the opportunity to reflect and further to assess I hope with accuracy the circumstances of our times. I intend to give our new president my support and I intend to work as a citizen as I've worked here in this office as president for the values this nation was founded to secure again

from the bottom of my heart. I want to express to you the gratitude I feel. Thank you fellow citizens and farewell. Jimmy Carter's farewell address to the nation as president of the United States let's go right to some observations about that speech and the man who made it from two journalists who have covered Jimmy Carter and his presidency there Jack Nelson Washington bureau chief of The Los Angeles Times and Terence Smith White House correspondent for The New York Times. Gentlemen we're all in the news business so first from a news standpoint did Mr. Carter say anything that would require big bold headlines in the morning Jack. Well I don't know about big headlines but I think probably Jim that at least in my own opinion the most significant thing that he said that may be remembered some time later is the attack on special interest groups and. And one issue groups because I think that's an issue that. He is sort of talked about throughout his presidency he's been

concerned that is frustrating the governmental processes. And I think it's an issue that sort of mushrooming in this city. You know Terry what's your view of what from a significant or from a news damn point came out of this. You know I think the news was that the campaign is over. Jimmy Carter has accepted that accepted his defeat accepted his new role as a sort of elder statesman even if he doesn't have good connections or maybe any connections to the Democratic Party that he saw here tonight to define himself and the themes. I think Jack's point is right except I would demur to the degree that it's an old theme with Jimmy Carter in that. Back in the campaign in 76 he talked about special interests nuclear arms human rights all these issues. In fact maybe that's the striking thing. They were persistent consistent all the way through the campaign in the presidency. The public didn't listen very well. You know I don't know if they listen or not.

I think though that his saying that is now a disturbing factor in the political process and that as a matter of fact I know that in the early drafts of that speech he had it come down even harder on it because I don't yeah and I suppose that what happened is that number one Jody Powell the White House press secretary made very clear to reporters today that Carter did not want to leave office looking as though he were engaging in a debate with anybody special interest groups or the incoming administration or anything else. So he softened it somewhat. My recollection is that correct me if I'm wrong on this but after his first year as president he said almost those exact things when he was asked what is the most striking thing you have discovered since you become president is stages of these awful special and Citigroup plots like as true as a matter of fact I can recall him one time saying that they were the most powerful force in Washington and that includes He said Congress and the president so he feels very deeply about it and I think the fact that he's called attention to it for the very first thing he said in his farewell address indicates that he's going to continue. I think he might have greater credibility saying it now as a man going out the door

and than he did as a man who when he said it before you had to wonder was he on happy the way those special interests were working on him. Programs and I know you can't and I think you know I think to Terry that this year at least in this past year during the campaign the one issue groups particularly not just a special interest group but the one issue groups really came to the fore as a matter of fact the new Republican administration is already having to deal with that from the standpoint of not pushing ahead on the prayer amendment of the busing amendment or abortion or anything and Senator Dole warning that they're going to have to put those aside and deal with the economy. I thought one of the interesting thing though in President Carter's farewell address tonight was that he said nothing about the immediate problems of the energy crisis or the economy or anything else. And as a matter of fact added this point about the hostages and his concern for the hostages I suppose at the last minute this one is not in the street and you have a shot but it's not in the text as Terry says Jack.

Those are the themes that he struck in his speech where the same thing he is struck from and fact nuclear the nuclear proliferation of sorrow that was literally in his own our own four years ago I would say that was if there was one by word. To that speech tonight and maybe to his presidency it was limits. He talked about the limits on resources and the problem allocating them. He talked about the limits that he's confronted about the problems of Presidential the power of the presidency and that sort of thing. Maybe his presidency will be the presidency of limits or the beginning of the ages. You know I think the other thing is that the only other than talking about the special interest groups the only other three specific areas that he hit were arms control environmental protection and human rights he really didn't get into the other areas. Why did he not. Why did he not for instance say why did he not refer at all to his presidency. I mean he really didn't in a specific way in other words he didn't say hey look you know I tried very hard in the Amazon to let a little bit you know and Ya'll turn me

out and I just didn't do that. Jody Powell again says his explanation is that not only do you not want to start any sort of a debate going on with his farewell address but that he will address some of what he sees that he's accomplished during his administration and what he would have proposed in the next four years had he been re-elected when he gives his State of the Union message which will be a written message to Congress on Friday. Terry do you what do you think the purpose of the speech was. Well first of all do you think that he felt he had to make this speech or it was something he really wanted to do. He wanted to say his goodbyes to the country and I think he really wanted to do. I think Jimmy Carter is there to Jimmy Carter's One is that intensely competitive political Jimmy Carter who goes out there and campaigns. And then there's another half preacher have teacher Jimmy Carter. Is this what we saw tonight and this was a bit of a sermon here you know and he was preaching a bit and it was that role and he wanted to do it I think to define himself define his administration

put the note the concluding note on it himself rather than let someone else do it is he saying hey look I want to be remembered. Because I was for Human Rights I was for nuclear nuclear proof or at liberation etc. as I put it when I think I think to a certain extent he's saying that but I think he's also saying that look despite the fact that my human rights program has been heavily criticized by Democrats as well as Republicans. I still stand behind it I stand for what I stood for when I came into office. Not only that but only arms control. If you look at all three of those areas environmental protection human rights and control of nuclear weapons those are three areas where he differed sharply during the administration on the approach to those issues with Ronald Reagan to do it successfully. All right even if in a plaintive tone to it to a degree you you didn't buy me in the election folks. But listen to what I have to say. Listen to these things because they'll be with you for a while.

I looked at listened watched and listened very carefully for any kind of nuance or tone of bitterness or sadness. I didn't pick up any did. Did you see anything there. You know I not only didn't see any but I do know that in the earlier drafts where there were some fairly even light inferences there that you might pick up as a little criticism or something. They were deleted. And I think he very consciously crafted this speech and he did a lot most of it himself. And so that none of that would come across. I don't think he has adjusted to the defeat. We were down with him in Plains this last weekend for four days and some of us had dinner with him and and he said one thing over and over he said. I hated to lose. And he meant it he said I won't mind not being president as much as I hated to lose. So that's true but I think he talked tonight like a man. Who has adjusted to the reality.

And that's what you're saying that what we saw is the reality he has Yeah he has it just about anything not only hated to lose I think he was humiliated by the size of the seat. But he said he said after the election I do not read these results as a personal repudiation of me. Deep down in his heart of hearts does he really believe that. He might but nobody else could. I mean that's just it. Rationalization I think of a very desperate fellow who suffered as Jack says a really substantial defeat. The next day says well it wasn't me it was all these other things. I mean clearly it was him. Clearly the public didn't buy him as a leader. In a difficult time in the results. If anyone in fact in the carnival is bitter Rosalynn Carter is bitter. Rosalynn Carter has cornered the market on that or who she bitter bitter with an ad I think the press particularly I think.

Well you know there are systems in some of the criticisms of her and her role but she is not. Larry I understand she has not smiled. There are other organizations at the White House not just Rosalynn and somebody. Maybe you could it would be understandable I mean I've been told it's been a lot of criticism for example since the election. Last summer the Reagan people of Carter's program the new U.N. ambassador designate. Referred to chaotic foreign policy I think that they felt that some of this of the right to cheap shots taken after the election just will be leaving office. The other thing is look at Harding Carter the other SEC the former assistant secretary of state who is the chief spokesman for the State Department and wrote this long article for Playboy magazine. Outlining what he termed the failure of the Carter foreign policy wherein he really attacked the Carter inner circle the National Security Advisor etc. and then Jody Powell has now answered it and I know and I know that it infuriated President Carter and I know that from people.

And you know what stung was the accusations of no class by Hugh Sidey the columnist and others. The suggestion that they had no class. They probably plead guilty to know stuff but they had no if they were accused of having no class and that sits and sticks in Rosamond Carter's throat. Terry smile son Jack Nelson thank you all both very much. President Carter's farewell address to the nation from Washington on Jim Lehrer. Thank you and good night. The preceding program was a production of W e 88 which is solely responsible for its content and was made possible by a grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. I want to remember.