Gainesville local Robert Maddox spoke on WDUN’s The Martha Zoller Show Monday to discuss the life and legacy of late President Jimmy Carter.
Maddox, who worked with Carter during his presidency, shared his experiences writing speeches for him.
“The great opportunity came for which I'm deeply grateful,” Maddox recalled. “He did all of that, back and forth in those days, Camp David, the whole milieu of Camp David. And then finally, they had a treaty. And I had come across a phrase from a friend, dear friend, Walker Night, and his phrase was, peace like war is waged. I had the bright idea that I would write a speech…he could use it at the signing of that treaty…I sent it to just somebody I knew in the White House. And about three hours before the event, Jody [Powell] called and said, ‘You'd better get to a TV because the President is using your speech.’”
Maddox also remembered Carter's integrity throughout his presidency.
“It was not a popular thing to try to get that peace treaty,” he said. “It was nearly impossible. And then the way he did it, flying back and forth and back and forth. The press was excoriating him for trying to do that …it all came together.”
Click the video above to hear more of Maddox’s memories of Carter.
