Voice from the Past

"Here I go again," announced the grayer but still grinning former President. "And I'm still talking about the same things . . . about simple human justice and basic human rights." It was vintage Jimmy Carter, and the convention crowd greeted his opening-night speech with respectful enthusiasm. But not every one had been certain that he would be so well received. Troubled by last week's controversy surrounding his former Budget Director, Bert Lance, some Democrats feared that Carter's appearance would only lengthen the shadow of his Administration over Walter Mondale's candidacy. Indeed, Carter had declined initial invitations to speak at the convention. Said he: "I wanted to be sure that the potential nominee would want me to be here."

When Carter arrived in San Francisco, he may have still had his doubts. The Democratic National Committee had scheduled his speech for 8:30 p.m. E.D.T., a half-hour before the networks were to begin their coverage. At Lance's request, D.N.C. officials rearranged the schedule so that Carter could appear in prime time. The welcome response to Carter's address alleviated everyone's fears. By week's end there was even some talk of Carter's playing an active role in the Mondale-Ferraro campaign.