Terry Sanford's declaration of candidacy for the Presidency of the United States on May 19, 1975 in Washington, D.C.
"If you believe as I do, that the people are the ones who must govern, then you are running with the people and not with the ambition. That is an important distinction, especially today, for it is not the imperial president we need, but many people united to choose a spokesman who can provide the focus for bold, determined, and honest self government.
That is why I made the preparation and today announced that through the Democratic Party I seek the Presidency of the United States.
I promise a bold campaign and a bold administration, determined to put into practice again the radical promise of the American Revolution, but determined to talk sense and issues, openly and candidly, pledged to make the government join the people, to put people first in all our affairs and aspirations.
To these challenges I bring experience not born in Washington, and not tainted by Washington. We need freshness. We need change.
I am different in many ways from the other candidates who have announced. Those differences can be seen as the campaign progresses. It is not for me to assert finally that my concept of America is better. But it is different. It demands boldness, faith in ourselves, creative change, and a focus on opportunity for all people.
I expect to be running for the Presidency, with a positive program, but I have a duty of also to show the Nation that the South stands for more than the politics of fear. I want the people of this country to be given a clear choice between what I see as the politics of fear and the politics of hope.
I’m going to campaign in all the caucus states, and will enter 17 to 20 primary campaigns, not expecting to win them all, but expecting to lay out in all of them the creative tasks that lie before us."
