Changes

Carter was elected governor, with almost no [[African American]] support. For the next four years he presided over state affairs. He presented himself as a [[populist]], the representative of the people as opposed to special interests. Carter emphasized [[welfare]] reform, [[education]]al advance and budget reform. Once [[pro-life]], he [[abortion betrayal|changed his position]] and supported the legalization of [[abortion]] and worked to replace [[capital punishment]] in Georgia with life in prison. In 1974, the Georgia Constitution prohibited the Governor from seeking a consecutive term, and Carter was succeeded by Joe Frank Harris.  The Georgia Constitution was amended in 1976 to permit the Governor to serve two consecutive terms, and Harris was re-elected in 1978.  Later in life Jimmy Carter declared himself to be against abortion.

Carter was elected governor, with almost no [[African American]] support. For the next four years he presided over state affairs. He presented himself as a [[populist]], the representative of the people as opposed to special interests. Carter emphasized [[welfare]] reform, [[education]]al advance and budget reform. Once [[pro-life]], he [[abortion betrayal|changed his position]] and supported the legalization of [[abortion]] and worked to replace [[capital punishment]] in Georgia with life in prison. In 1974, the Georgia Constitution prohibited the Governor from seeking a consecutive term, and Carter was succeeded by Joe Frank Harris.  The Georgia Constitution was amended in 1976 to permit the Governor to serve two consecutive terms, and Harris was re-elected in 1978.  Later in life Jimmy Carter declared himself to be against abortion.

==1976 Presidential Campaign==

==1976 Presidential Campaign==

 

:{{Main|United States presidential election, 1976}}

:{{Main|United States presidential election, 1976}}

Carter had decided well before his term as Governor ended to run for the Presidency in 1976. His campaign, which began in early 1975, stressed Washington's defects such as the [[Watergate affair]] in 1974. He campaigned on a widespread call for [[change]]. In the Democrat primary, Carter was able to defeat [[George Wallace]] in the southern primaries and established himself as a person who could win the south and reestablish Democrat control of the [[White House]]. He won the primary because of his inspiring and well organized campaign.<ref>The American Vision, pg. 966</ref> Running against President [[Gerald Ford]] in the general election, Carter had little experience in national politics, however he used that to his benefit by promising to restore honesty and morality to [[government]]. On election day, Carter edged out Ford with 50 percent of the vote to 48 percent.

Carter had decided well before his term as Governor ended to run for the Presidency in 1976. His campaign, which began in early 1975, stressed Washington's defects such as the [[Watergate affair]] in 1974. He campaigned on a widespread call for [[change]]. In the Democrat primary, Carter was able to defeat [[George Wallace]] in the southern primaries and established himself as a person who could win the south and reestablish Democrat control of the [[White House]]. He won the primary because of his inspiring and well organized campaign.<ref>The American Vision, pg. 966</ref> Running against President [[Gerald Ford]] in the general election, Carter had little experience in national politics, however he used that to his benefit by promising to restore honesty and morality to [[government]]. On election day, Carter edged out Ford with 50 percent of the vote to 48 percent.