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Oral History Interview with Reubin Askew, July 8, 1974. Interview A-0045. Southern Oral History Program Collection (#4007).
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  • Abstract
    Reubin Askew, governor of Florida at the time of this interview, describes his approach to politics and comments on the political character of Florida and the American South. Askew was running for reelection at the time of this interview (a race he later won), and he uses it to celebrate his agenda, pointing to his successes in office and burnishing his image as a straight shooter. While he denies an interest in national politics, he sees the South, strengthened by economic growth, and southern politicians playing an increasingly important role in the United States.
    Excerpts
  • Reapportionment changes Florida's political landscape
  • Askew reviews some of his successes as governor
  • The challenge of Florida's growth and the need for management
  • Striking out positions on principle rather than expediency
  • Florida is certainly a southern state
  • Race and religion as political issues
  • Southern states will face their race problems before northern states
  • Florida's sunshine law boosts confidence in government
  • Role of faith in politics
  • Making decisions as a politician
  • Political tenor of the South is changing
  • The South is becoming a significant factor in American political landscape
  • Television has revolutionized politics
  • Decline of regional southern character
  • Learn More
  • Finding aid to the Southern Oral History Program Collection
  • Database of all Southern Oral History Program Collection interviews
  • Subjects
  • Bumpers, Dale, 1925-
  • School integration--Arkansas
  • Florida--Politics and government
  • Florida--Race relations
  • Democratic Party (Fla.)
  • Press and politics--Florida
  • Trade-unions--Florida
  • 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.