Georgia Governors Roundtable, October 31, 1985

Participants: Lester Maddox, Carl Sanders, Herman Talmadge, S. Ernest Vandiver

Among topics discussed: Talmadge claim that he represented views of people in the desegregation of schools; Vandiver regret of "no not one" statement; Vandiver response to being accused of being "middle of the road"; Vandiver's involvement in the creation of the Sibley Commission; Sanders 1962 campaign; Sanders view that the schools should not be closed due to forced desegregation; Sanders view of the invalidation of the county unit system; Sanders on the corruption of Marvin Griffin; Sanders relationship with Griffin; Maddox on the tradition of segregation in Georgia and the United States; Maddox view of the quota system and affirmative action; Maddox meeting with black leaders after his election; Maddox preparation for racial violence after the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.; Maddox opinion of former Atlanta Mayor Ivan Allen; Maddox opinion of politics and the media; Talmadge explanation of the three‑governor controversy; Talmadge opinion of progress during his administration; Talmadge explanation of tax increases during his administration; Vandiver on changes in the state budget; salaries paid to the governors; Sanders and Maddox discussion of the construction of the governor's mansion; Maddox and Vandiver on pensions for governors; Vandiver on the terrible conditions at Milledgeville mental hospital and efforts to change; Vandiver explains his blocking of Griffin's roads project; Sanders opinion of Jimmy Carter and the 1970 governor's race; Maddox opinion of Jimmy Carter; Sanders on the nature of politics; Sanders relationship with state legislator Cheney Griffin, brother of Marvin Griffin; Sanders comparison of a strong executive and a strong assembly; Maddox support of separation of the branches of government; Maddox on the unfairness of the press; Maddox explanation of his public image; Talmadge advice to current governor; Vandiver advice to current governor; Vandiver opinion of Joe Frank Harris's pledge not to increase taxes; Sanders advice to current governor; Maddox advice to current governor.