Description

Harvey Gantt delivers a campaign speech in Greenville, North Carolina. Gantt tells the crowd that he knows that they want change, and he has listened and talked to voters over the last six years. He criticizes his opponent, Jesse Helms, for not listening and for not making a contribution at senator in North Carolina or around the world. Gantt expresses support for maintaining the public school system, early childhood development, sending kids to college, job security and job training, portable pensions, equal pay for equal work, seniors, Medicare and Social Security, and the environment. Gantt says that he knows the struggles of going to public school, raising a family, and running a business. He compares his platform with Helms's record. Gantt says that Helms votes with special interests and gives them tax breaks, and looks to the past. Gantt concludes by saying that this election is an opportunity to bring change and encourages the audience to get other people to vote. A second recording begins at around 11:26 of Jimmy Carter delivering an introductory speech in support of Harvey Gantt for Senate. Carter discusses topics including George Wallace, building houses with Habitat for Humanity (including in Charlotte while Gantt was mayor), and human rights. Carter criticizes Jesse Helms for his support of apartheid in South Africa and of South American dictatorships, and for opposing a treaty that Ronald Reagan negotiated with Mikhail Gorbachev.

Record Contributed By

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Record Harvested From

North Carolina Digital Heritage Center