Crisis of Confidence

Abstract This chapter opens with a speech Carter delivered on July 15, 1979, that became a turning point in his career. Entitled “Crisis of Confidence,” it specified problems in US society that the government needed to address and outlined a complicated energy program. Based upon ideas that Pat Caddell got from reading Christopher Lasch and presented to Rosalynn, the speech was not what Carter needed to boost his rating. While Walter Mondale, Hamilton Jordan, and Stuart Eizenstat all advised against it, Rosalynn thought it was a good idea. Clark Clifford referred to the “malaise” in the country, and Carter’s enemies quickly labelled the speech “malaise” even though he had never used the word. In preparation Carter isolated himself at Camp David where he invited groups of government officials and private citizens to tell him was wrong in the country. After the speech, he called for the resignations of all of his cabinet members, most of which he did not intend to accept, but his action caused many officials and citizens to lose confidence in him.