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Oral History Interview with David Pryor, June 13, 1974. Interview A-0038. Southern Oral History Program Collection (#4007).
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  • Abstract
    In this interview, Arkansas Democrat David Pryor discusses politics and the Democratic Party in Arkansas and the South. Pryor won seats in the House of Representatives and the Senate; shortly after this interview was conducted, he won the governorship of Arkansas, which he held from 1975 to 1979. Pryor sees himself as part of a new tradition in Arkansas politics, one started by former Governor Winthrop Rockefeller and continued by Dale Bumpers. He does not explicitly describe this new tradition, but he does describe his political philosophy throughout the interview: he believes in personal, face-to-face politics, wants to advocate for Arkansans against predatory business interests, and wants to take an active role in bringing about social and economic change.
    Excerpts
  • Independence of Arkansas voters
  • Moderate southern Democrats
  • The rise of a neopopulist tradition
  • Growth of political organization in Arkansas
  • Hopes for a successful governorship
  • Luring businesses can harm states
  • Unrewarding membership in U.S. House of Representatives
  • Reflecting on an electoral loss
  • Valuing instincts over polling
  • Learn More
  • Finding aid to the Southern Oral History Program Collection
  • Database of all Southern Oral History Program Collection interviews
  • Subjects
  • Arkansas--Politics and government
  • Arkansas--Economic conditions
  • Democratic Party (Ark.)
  • The Southern Oral History Program transcripts presented here on Documenting the American South undergo an editorial process to remove transcription errors. Texts may differ from the original transcripts held by the Southern Historical Collection.

    Funding from the Institute for Museum and Library Services supported the electronic publication of this title.