Rupert Clark's

Sample Letter to President Carter

Date: Fri, 28 Mar 2008 12:00:00 -0600
To: carterweb@emory.edu
From:
Subject: President Carter's Assistance Is Urgently Requested

To: The Carter Center at Emory

PLEASE FORWARD THIS MESSAGE TO PRESIDENT CARTER WITH THE UTMOST SPEED, AS THE ISSUE IS FAST EVOLVING AND SEVERELY DETERIORATING.

President Carter
c/o The Carter Center

Dear President Carter:

Please consider active participation in clarifying the relationship between our Democratic Presidential candidates so as to preserve some likelihood of success for Democratic principles.

I speak not officially but informally, 'tho a member of the Progressive Voter Alliance of Las Cruces, New Mexico. That group formed after the Kerry loss, composed largely of serious campaign workers who wanted to revitalize their spirit. There has been considerable success by the group in electing candidates and espousing programs that have already worked favorably, at local and state levels.

Now, several of us have been noting with increasing apprehension the fearsome turmoil that has been growing, about and between the two Democratic candidates for the Presidency, two individuals who started out as each well fitted for the role, giving rise to spirited satisfaction as to the ticket, and renewed confidence in the Democratic party. By this time, each has been tarnished, virtually unnecessarily, and the likelihood of their gaining support from independents and thoughtful Republicans is fading by the hour. Without attempting to apportion blame, we must attempt to stop the downfall.

Would you please consider inviting both candidates together to a private and closed meeting for negotiation, of course with style and goals that you would determine ? Yet, I would like to see an outcome somewhat as follows:

1. Acceptance that each would continue in the campaign until the convention

1. Agreement that the leader in the popular vote will  accept the nomination for the Presidency, and that the runner-up will accept with good spirit the nomination to the Vice-Presidency

1. Agreement that there will be no more debates as we know them, during the primary or pre-convention phase, but instead, round table discussions involving the two plus a moderator each time. Such a moderator might be George Mitchell, Madeleine Albright, perhaps yourself, or even a respected member of the opposition such as Colin  Powell. These sessions could place in public view the positive thinking processes of the candidates in preparing constructive plans for meeting contemporary problems.

Your attention to this concern would be very greatly appreciated. It seems to me a task that only a President Carter could do.

Respectfully and sincerely,