Description:

Bill Clinton TLS. "I can make a comeback...by simply having me admit my mistakes and ask the people for another chance...It won't be easy. Nothing worthwhile ever is." 

TLS, 8.5" x 11", Little Rock, Arkansas, dated November 9, 1981, and written on "Wright, Lindsey & Jennings ' Attorneys at Law" stationary and addressed to Gloria Staggs (O'Donnell). O'Donnell was a member of his original campaign for Congressman in the mid-70s and later during his governmental years in Arkansas. Following O'Donnell's role on Clinton's Arkansas campaigns, the two would remain pen pals well into his presidential years and beyond. This letter comes directly from her collection. Accompanied by the original envelope, with expected folds and key lines highlighted in orange. This letter is the best Clinton TLS in terms of content that we have ever handled at University Archives!

The incredible letter which outlines Clinton's plan to run and be re-elected Governor of Arkansas is written just after he was defeated during his first stint as Governor and includes fantastic content which gives a unique and inside look into Clinton's plan to win back the Governorship. In the letter he mentions his strong stand against President Carter "On the Cuban issue," and many of his mistakes including the "license issue" where Clinton imposed a tax to build better roads. He also lists a few of his accomplishments including removing the sales tax off prescription medicine and increasing property tax relief for the elderly. 

The TLS reads in full:

"Dear Gloria:

Thanks so much for your great letter of October 30. It was very helpful. I passed through Russellville the other day on my way to Clarksville to give a talk. I visited with Bus Rye for about an hour. I agree with you that he is really a "people's" man. He thinks that I can make a comeback, but that race will be very hard and that I have to go back to the people and get in touch with them. I agree and am anxious to get after it. 

With regard to the license issue, I'll just have to tell people it was a mistake, that the roads were in bad need and I was trying to help them to get better roads, but that it was wrong to impose a tax on them that they didn't want to pay. 

On the Cuban issue, the truth is that I did take a stand -- a strong one --against President Carter sending the Cubans here, but because he sent them anyway and because I was a Democrat, Frank White was able to raise a lot of cain about it and convince people that somehow I could have kept them out. That isn't true, and it should be obvious that it isn't true since he has not been able to get them out under President Reagan's administration. 

I hope that we can begin the campaign on a positive note by simply having me admit my mistakes and ask the people for another chance, and then talk about the issues that people are really concerned about -- jobs, interest rates, utility rates, and aid to the elderly. Perhaps I can emphasize some of the good things I did for our senior citizens. It wasn't just the car license that went up, we also took the sales tax off prescription medicine and increased property tax relief for older people. They have certainly suffered under this administration. For example, now older people on low incomes can only get three prescriptions a month paid for by the state government instead of the four they got during my administration. These and other issues can be brought out to positive effect later on.

You asked what are we going to do about Jim Guy. We'll have to try to get more votes by working hard and winning. I got a very good political poll last week which indicates we can do that, but it won't be easy. Nothing worthwhile ever is. Please keep talking and working, and let me know what you hear. When we get organized up that, I'm going to have to depend on you for a lot of help, but I know you can provide it. Thanks again.

Sincerely, 

Bill"

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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