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Details
CARTER, James E. Engraved document signed ("J. Carter") and ("Ted Kennedy"). Delegate credential from 1980 Democratic National Convention, New York City, 11-14 August 1980. 1 page, oblong (3½ x 6 1/8 in.), with engraved oval portrait of Thomas Jefferson, an elastic neck cord at top.
CARTER VERSUS KENNEDY. The Two heavyweight Democratic contenders are joined together in this delegate's badge, memorializing their bruising contest in the 1980 Primary campaign. 1980 was Ted Kennedy's last hurrah as a Presidential contender, and his effort seemed troubled from the outset. Many Democratic insiders scratched their heads about why this party giant would turn down the chance to run against Republican Gerald Ford in 1976, but take up his lance against a sitting Democratic president in 1980. Kennedy seemed confused himself when he gave an embarrassingly garbled response to Roger Mudd's simple question on 60 Minutes in November 1979: "Why do you want to be President?" Long before the New York convention, Kennedy's candidacy was over, but Carter desperately wanted to make a show of party unity by giving Kennedy a showcase speech on the last night of the convention. In one of his most riveting oratorical performances, Kennedy gave a rousing defense of his candidacy and of the liberal tradition he embodied: "For me, a few hours ago, this campaign came to an end. For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die." Kennedy's show-stopping speech seemed to reveal more enthusiasm among the delegates for the vanquished rather than the victor--and it seemed to presage Carter's drubbing at the hands of Ronald Reagan in November.
CARTER VERSUS KENNEDY. The Two heavyweight Democratic contenders are joined together in this delegate's badge, memorializing their bruising contest in the 1980 Primary campaign. 1980 was Ted Kennedy's last hurrah as a Presidential contender, and his effort seemed troubled from the outset. Many Democratic insiders scratched their heads about why this party giant would turn down the chance to run against Republican Gerald Ford in 1976, but take up his lance against a sitting Democratic president in 1980. Kennedy seemed confused himself when he gave an embarrassingly garbled response to Roger Mudd's simple question on 60 Minutes in November 1979: "Why do you want to be President?" Long before the New York convention, Kennedy's candidacy was over, but Carter desperately wanted to make a show of party unity by giving Kennedy a showcase speech on the last night of the convention. In one of his most riveting oratorical performances, Kennedy gave a rousing defense of his candidacy and of the liberal tradition he embodied: "For me, a few hours ago, this campaign came to an end. For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die." Kennedy's show-stopping speech seemed to reveal more enthusiasm among the delegates for the vanquished rather than the victor--and it seemed to presage Carter's drubbing at the hands of Ronald Reagan in November.