Sanford recalls his decision, while president of Duke University, to seek the 1972 Democratic presidential nomination. Motivated by a sense that George McGovern was not a viable candidate, he managed to get his name on the ballot, but he could not secure the support of state leaders. Shirley Chisholm drew the support of black leaders, and the governor at the time, Bob Scott, threw his support to Edmund Muskie, not to mention the fact that many North Carolinians supported George Wallace. Sanford in part blames Duke for isolating him from potentially helpful political contacts.