Oral History Interview with Robert W. (Bob) Scott, September 18, 1986. Interview C-0036. Southern Oral History Program Collection (#4007).
Audio with Transcript
Listen Online with Text Transcript
(Requires QuickTime and JavaScript)
Transcript Only (47 p.)
HTML file
XML/TEI source file
Download Complete Audio File (MP3 format / ca. 192 MB, 01:45:18)
MP3
Abstract
Robert W. (Bob) Scott, former governor of North Carolina and the state's community college system president, describes his tenure as governor and discusses North Carolina politics. Neither Scott's political ideology nor his political goals make an appearance in this interview. However, his proudest accomplishments include helping rural schools and communities, an indication that his own background as a farmer may have led him to focus on constituents often overlooked by the political process. This focus on people, rather than polls, is what distinguishes Scott from his successors, he believes; he laments the decline of face-to-face politics. Finally, he seeks to explain the decline of the Democratic Party in North Carolina, citing internal squabbling and the leftward drift of the national party. This interview will be useful for students of North Carolina politics.
Excerpts
Deciding to run for lieutenant governor
Connections ease the path to the governorship
Accomplishments as governor
Accomplishments in education, linked in part to taxation
North Carolina's transition to a Republican state
Lack of unity in North Carolina's Democratic Party
Decline of personal quality of politics and power of the governorship
Learn More
Finding aid to the Southern Oral History Program Collection
Database of all Southern Oral History Program Collection interviews
Subjects
North Carolina--Politics and government
Governors--North Carolina
Political parties--North Carolina
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.