President Carter : Crisis on Confidence Speech - July 15, 1979
President Carter : "Crisis on Confidence" Speech - July 15, 1979
U.S. President Jimmy Carter delivers his "Crisis of Confidence Speech". Adult Caucasian female sign language interpreter superimposed on screen, providing sign language for the deaf/hearing impaired. Carter: "...to use carpools or public transportation whenever you can, to park your car one extra day per week, to obey the speed limit, and to set your thermostats to save fuel. Every act of energy conservation like this is more than just common sense -- I tell you it is an act of patriotism. Our nation must be fair to the poorest among us, so we will increase aid to needy Americans to cope with rising energy prices. We often think of conservation only in terms of sacrifice. In fact, it is the most painless and immediate way of rebuilding our nation's strength. Every gallon of oil each one of us saves is a new form of production. It gives us more freedom, more confidence, that much more control over our own lives."
President Carter : "Crisis on Confidence" Speech - July 15, 1979
U.S. President Jimmy Carter continues "Crisis of Confidence" speech; adult Caucasian female deaf interpreter superimposed on screen. Carter: "So, the solution of our energy crisis can also help us to conquer the crisis of the spirit in our country. It can rekindle our sense of unity, our confidence in the future, and give our nation and all of us individually a new sense of purpose. You know we can do it. We have the natural resources. We have more oil in our shale alone than several Saudi Arabia's. We have more coal than any nation on Earth. We have the world's highest level of technology. We have the most skilled work force, with innovative genius, and I firmly believe that we have the national will to win this war."
President Carter : "Crisis on Confidence" Speech - July 15, 1979
U.S. President Jimmy Carter continues his "Crisis of Confidence" speech; adult Caucasian female deaf interpreter superimposed on screen. Carter: "I do not promise you that this struggle for freedom will be easy. I do not promise a quick way out of our nation's problems, when the truth is that the only way out is an all-out effort. What I do promise you is that I will lead our fight, and I will enforce fairness in our struggle, and I will ensure honesty...I will act. We can manage the short-term shortages more effectively and we will, but there are no short-term solutions to our long-range problems. There is simply no way to avoid sacrifice...I will speak again in Kansas City, to explain further our energy program. Just as the search for solutions to our energy shortages has now led us to a new awareness of our nation's deeper problems, so our willingness to work for those solutions in energy can strengthen us to attack those deeper problems."
President Carter : "Crisis on Confidence" Speech - July 15, 1979
U.S. President Jimmy Carter continues his "Crisis of Confidence" speech; adult Caucasian female deaf interpreter superimposed on screen, providing sign language for the deaf/hearing impaired. Carter: "I will continue to travel this country, to hear the people of America. You can help me to develop a national agenda for the 1980s. I will listen and I will act. We will act together. These were the promises I made three years ago, and I intend to keep them. Little by little we can and we must rebuild our confidence. We can spend until we empty our treasuries, and we may summon all the wonders of science. But we can succeed only if we tap our greatest resources -- America's people, America's values, and America's confidence. I have seen the strength of America in the inexhaustible resources of our people. In the days to come, let us renew that strength in the struggle for an energy secure nation."
President Carter : "Crisis on Confidence" Speech - July 15, 1979
U.S. President Jimmy Carter continuing his "Crisis of Confidence" speech; adult Caucasian female deaf interpreter superimposed on screen, providing sign language for the deaf/hearing impaired. Carter: "In closing, let me say this: I will do my best, but I will not do it alone. Let your voice be heard. Whenever you have a chance, say something good about our country. With God's help and for the sake of our nation, it is time for us to join hands in America. Let us commit ourselves together to a rebirth of the American spirit. Working together with our common faith we cannot fail. Thank you and good night." Exterior of the White House at night.
President Carter : "Crisis on Confidence" Speech - July 15, 1979
Host Paul Duke joined in studio by Harry Ellis (Christian Science Monitor). Duke summarizes the U.S. President Jimmy Carter's address to the nation. Ellis addresses Carter's point on reducing foreign dependence on energy sources, repeating Carter's line that the Middle East only holds 5% of the world's energy sources, while the U.S. holds 24%. The trouble is that the U.S. energy sources lay in coal and shale, which need to be "unlocked". In doing so, it could damage the environment in such a way that Americans may need to choose between energy independence at the cost of environmental damage. Duke references that some people thought the President would announce a "Manhattan type of project", but he didn't do that. Ellis thinks the President's proposal will actually cost more than the building of an atomic bomb, especially if the U.S. is to meet President's oil import goals, capping imports at 1977 levels. Domestic production would have to increase dramatically.
President Carter : "Crisis on Confidence" Speech - July 15, 1979
Host Paul Duke joined in studio by Harry Ellis (Christian Science Monitor). Duke asks if U.S. President Jimmy Carter's goal for an oil import cap at 1977 levels is realistic. Ellis states if there is either no growth in the economy, or if domestic energy production grew enough to make up the difference. Short term, natural gas could fill some of the energy needs. Otherwise, synthetic energy sources would have to make up any cuts in foreign energy imports, acting as a bridge at least until energy sources such as solar come into mainstream use. Duke asks if this means a greater commitment to solar energy. Ellis cities the President's goal of having 20% of the U.S. energy comes from solar power by the year 2000. This will require the government to spend more money on environmentally friendly solar technology than what would have been the case if the U.S. continued importing foreign oil.
President Carter : "Crisis on Confidence" Speech - July 15, 1979
Host Paul Duke joined in studio by Harry Ellis (Christian Science Monitor). Dukes notes that Ellis attended a recent OPEC meeting in Geneva where oil prices were raised, and asks what the reaction will be among OPEC countries. Ellis believes the decision will be applauded, initially. However, they may regret it long term if the market is cut down because of what the United States does. Duke asks Ellis how tonight's energy speech by U.S. President Jimmy Carter compares with his first energy speech, where Carter compared the energy crisis to the moral equivalent of war. Ellis believes long gas lines and high home heating bills have become an added ingredient that's linked American's perception of the energy crisis. American people now feel the energy crisis in their wallets, where before they only heard about it from President Carter. Duke thanks Ellis for his time.
President Carter : "Crisis on Confidence" Speech - July 15, 1979
Host Paul Duke notes that U.S. President Jimmy Carter's speech went beyond nation's energy problems. He also talked about concerns relating to the country's mood and welfare. In July, President Carter has hosted over one hundred political, social, economic, labor, and business leaders at Camp David, asking for their views on the direction of the country and the national mood. Duke introduces studio guests U.S. House Representatives Morris Udall (D-AZ), Millicent Fenwick (R-NJ), and syndicated columnist Robert Novak. Duke notes that the President wanted his speech to be a turning point for his administration and the country, and asks the panel if it was. Rep. Udall thought the speech was good, but only time will tell what kind of effects come out of it.
President Carter : "Crisis on Confidence" Speech - July 15, 1979
Host Paul Duke in studio with U.S. House Representatives Morris Udall (D-AZ) and Millicent Fenwick (R-NJ), and syndicated columnist, Robert Novak; Duke notes that U.S. President Jimmy Carter wanted his speech to be a turning point for his administration and the country, and asks if it was. Rep. Udall thought the speech was good, but time will tell what kind of effects come of it. Rep. Udall notes that three Presidents starting with Nixon, have all given energy speeches. He believes that President Carter should be given the benefit of the doubt with his proposed program, and believes the American people will give him that chance. Rep. Fenwick agrees with that, chides that not many Republicans were invited to Camp David, but agrees that it must be a nonpartisan issue. However, citizens will not conserve energy if they see politicians in both parties doing the exact opposite, such as traveling around the country, campaigning and fundraising. The privileged must also sacrifice.
President Carter : "Crisis on Confidence" Speech - July 15, 1979
Host Paul Duke follows up with U.S. House Representative Millicent Fenwick (R-NJ) and asks if U.S. President Jimmy Carter should have emphasized and gone further on the conservation portion of his message. She does believes so, but won't explicitly criticize the President. Fenwick: "He's our President. He's the one we've got. And we've got to support him. I support the rationing. I think he should have emphasized that a little more. You cannot bear, if you've got a job to get to, not to know whether you're gonna have the gas to get there or not."
President Carter : "Crisis on Confidence" Speech - July 15, 1979
Host Paul Duke asks syndicated columnist Robert Novak if President Jimmy Carter has re-established his credentials as leader of the country; U.S. House Representatives Millicent Fenwick (R-NJ) and Morris Udall (D-AZ) with Novak, who states it's hard to tell but his guess would be no, that "one speech does not solve the problems of two and half years." Novak disagrees with Fenwick, believes the speech was partisan, sees it as three minute speech on energy and the rest of it trying to save his political career, referencing Carter's low poll numbers. Duke interjects that Carter's speech tried to re-establish contact and trust with Americans. Novak retorts that was the President's goal upon entering office, so he has failed up to this point, notes Carter critiqued the American people, while still being good and decent, for being "self indulgent" and "falling into evil ways."
President Carter : "Crisis on Confidence" Speech - July 15, 1979
U.S. House Representative Millicent Fenwick (R-NJ): "That doesn't mean this country isn't in a very serious situation, and, I think, it behooves every single one of us to try to give him a break." Fenwick feels sorry for President Jimmy Carter-- He's no Churchill, but Americans should still rise to the occasion in difficult circumstances. She thinks it unwise for Carter's advisors to talk about his political future when the country's future is at stake, which is what he tried to focus on in his speech. Columnist Robert Novak acknowledges the good intentions of his advisors, but the Governors and Congressmen who saw Carter made it clear that he had to make a pitch to the American people; Rep. Morris Udall seated at table. Novak says there does need to be sacrifice, but in order to meet domestic energy demand, the U.S. may have to sacrifice environmental concerns.
President Carter : "Crisis on Confidence" Speech - July 15, 1979
Host Paul Duke asks U.S. House Representative Morris Udall (D-AZ) about environmental concerns being sacrificed for higher domestic energy production, given that he has been a leader in pushing for higher environmental standards. Udall discusses recent committee meeting where energy industry leaders testified the need to fast track certain projects and cut "red tape." Environmental groups testified next and held no objections. Udall rejects the notion that every energy project has an environmental group trying to thwart it. It is possible to keep the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, prevent coal strip mining, and still cut unnecessary bureaucracy; Millicent Fenwick (R-NJ) and Robert Novak seated with Udall. Duke asks Udall if he's worried that environmental legislation will be rolled back. Udall knows there are those who see this as a chance to do so, but he doesn't believe U.S. President Jimmy Carter will yield.
President Carter : "Crisis on Confidence" Speech - July 15, 1979
Syndicated columnist Robert Novak, and U.S. House Representative Millicent Fenwick (R-NJ) agree with statement by Rep. Morris Udall that U.S. President Jimmy Carter will not yield to pressure to rollback environmental laws. Fenwick asks where it would be possible to give tax write-offs to items such as coal scrubbers, and things of that nature that lessen environmental damage. Udall notes that six years ago there was talk of smaller and more fuel efficient cars. Doubling 17 mpg standards of "clunkers" now would meet the President's goal. However, time after time the government caved to car industry pushback, and now foreign cars are selling better than domestic cars because they are more fuel efficient.
President Carter : "Crisis on Confidence" Speech - July 15, 1979
Host Paul Duke asks whether Congress is a part of the problem as well. U.S. President Jimmy Carter has sent multiple energy proposals to Congress that have gone nowhere. So, when it comes to the question of leadership, doesn't Congress share the blame; U.S. House Representatives Millicent Fenwick (R-NJ) and Morris Udall (D-AZ), and syndicated columnist, Robert Novak, seated at table. Rep. Fenwick references Majority Leader, Rep. Jim Wright (D-TX) who said Congress reflects, like a mirror, what the public feels. She feels that Congress must free itself from that kind of thinking. Fenwick: "So much of it is phony. It's a hard thing to say, but there's 240 million barrels that we're supposed to get to make people save for their home heating oil for the winter. That's just not so! That is not enough. That's only primary storage. That doesn't account for secondary and tertiary storage. Secondary being what the dealer has in his storage tank, and what the homeowners have in theirs."
President Carter : "Crisis on Confidence" Speech - July 15, 1979
Syndicated columnist, Robert Novak, rebuts U.S. House Representative Millicent Fenwick's (R-NJ) argument by saying that U.S. President Jimmy Carter's speech had very little to do with energy. Rep. Fenwick quickly states her point was in advocating for truthfulness. Novak continues stating that he doesn't believe President Carter believes in going to the public and laying out the clear problems and sacrifices needed. He notes that one key word missing in the speech is "nuclear". Novak simply cannot see a way to achieve the President's import goals without the use of nuclear power; Rep. Morris Udall (D-AZ) and host Paul Duke seated at studio table.
President Carter : "Crisis on Confidence" Speech - July 15, 1979
Host Paul Duke asks U.S. House Representative Morris Udall (D-AZ) if Congress will buy what U.S. President Jimmy Carter said in his speech. Rep. Udall states it's too early to say and advocates against instant analysis, or immediately choosing a side until the President is given time to fill in the gaps in his proposed program. He stresses the patient approach, giving the President and his proposals serious thought, which should be done in a bipartisan manner. Duke asks Reps. Udall, Millicent Fenwick (R-NJ) and syndicated columnist, Robert Novak, whether any of them are concerned that President Carter didn't address the fundamental problem of inflation. Udall states that you can only say so much in thirty minutes, that clearly inflation and the energy crisis go hand in hand, and hopes he'll talk more about inflation.
President Carter : "Crisis on Confidence" Speech - July 15, 1979
Syndicated columnist, Robert Novak asks U.S. House Representative Morris Udall (D-AZ): "You ran for President in the Democratic Party, against Carter, in 1976. If you were President ...and this is the big audience tonight, not the one tomorrow in Kansas City before the county officials, and you had all these problems, would you have spent 90 percent of the time on this, sermonizing, or would you have gone to the hard issues involved and laid out the details that you just said he didn't put out?" Rep. Udall doesn't think it's fair to answer that question. He thinks U.S. President Jimmy Carter made the right choice. Rep. Udall acknowledges there is a national malaise on the energy issue. Rep. Millicent Fenwick (R-NJ) adds that "no one will believe anyone if this kind of fooling goes on." Fenwick stresses that truthfulness and veracity are at the core of it all. Citizens don't trust what the government is telling them, or they find a scapegoat to blame it on.
President Carter : "Crisis on Confidence" Speech - July 15, 1979
Host Paul Duke asks U.S. House Representative Millicent Fenwick (R-NJ) if citizens will find a scapegoat after the speech. She thinks it will depend, but it would be better U.S. President Jimmy Carter stayed home, spoke to the people of Kansas City by phone or television, and save gas. Rep. Fenwick lists all the ways gas is wasted when the President or high ranking officials take a trip. She believes that a cure to the national malaise would be if the American people could feel they were being told the truth. Rep. Morris Udall (D-AZ) had a feeling of nostalgia with President Carter's speech, agreeing with Paul Duke that this speech hearkened back to 1976. Syndicated columnist, Robert Novak, notes the differences in those speeches is that now, behind Carter's espousal of the goodness of the American people, the people "are a little nasty, they're a little self-indulgent", and the problems of the nation are the peoples' fault, not government leadership, which he doesn't agree with.
President Carter : "Crisis on Confidence" Speech - July 15, 1979
U.S. House Representative Morris Udall (D-AZ) believes the test of the next few days and weeks is whether U.S. President Jimmy Carter comes across the way he did back in 1976, when he had mystical appeal to people; host Paul Duke, syndicated columnist, Robert Novak, and Rep. Millicent Fenwick (R-NJ) seated at studio table. Duke asks whether the Carter administration can change course mid-stream, and whether there will be significant changes in the administration. Udall notes that most of the programs the President is proposing are not new and have been "kicked around" and "pawed over" by Congress. Duke asks about changes in leadership at the White House, in the cabinet. Udall doesn't think that would change much, but he and Novak have heard there might be changes. Novak also states that he believes it to be impossible to have economic growth with caps on energy imports. Duke asks if this could make for a deeper recession; Novak says yes.
President Carter : "Crisis on Confidence" Speech - July 15, 1979
Host Paul Duke asks syndicated columnist, Robert Novak, and U.S. House Representatives Millicent Fenwick (R-NJ) and Morris Udall (D-AZ) one final question. Do they believe, on the whole, after the speech, that it will be more or less likely that U.S. President Jimmy Carter will be nominated for the Presidency in 1980? Rep. Udall, thinks it will help him. President Carter is down in the polls, but it's not unprecedented to make a comeback. Plus, a sitting President is usually re-nominated. Rep. Fenwick believes it all rests upon whether President Carter's words are backed up by his actions; Novak agrees. Duke thanks them all and signs off. Exterior of the White House South Portico at night; "President Carter's Address to the Nation July 15, 1979" text superimposed on screen; WETA Washington D.C. logo. Sponsor credits; Public Broadcasting Service logo.