Tribute to Hamilton Jordan
Atlanta, Ga.,_ The man who designed and orchestrated a little known southern governor’s run and rise to the presidency has died. Hamilton Jordan was Jimmy Carter’s closest advisor and friend.
As a 31 year old strategist he pioneered the idea that a serious candidate needs to start years ahead of time and go to early small states to build support and name identification for the larger contests. Barack Obama’s troops borrowed a page from Jordan’s playbook this year! He also served as Carter’s White House Chief of Staff and was involved in every strategic move of the Carter years. He died after a long battle with cancer at the age of 63.
President Carter had this to say,” Rosalynn and I are deeply saddened. Hamilton was my closest political adviser, a trusted confidant and my friend. His judgment, insight and wisdom were excelled only by his compassion and love of our country.” Colleague Gerald Rafshoon who was Carter’s chief of communications said, He was a great strategist. He just couldn’t strategize his way out of this.” Rafshoon said a memorial service was planned Friday at The Carter Center in Atlanta and Carter would attend. Even during his final months battling cancer Jordan was somewhat active. Two months ago he addressed the Atlanta Press Club to discuss his health. He told them, “I’ve been to the edge of life and had to face my own mortality,” he said. “I’m here to tell you, I’m not through yet. We’ve been blessed with great medicine and great friends.”
Rafshoon added “I talked to him many times during the past few weeks,” he said. “He was enjoying watching the latest presidential campaign.” Jordan is survived by his wife, Dorothy, and their three children. R.I.P.
