Gephardt Pays Call on Carter, Leaves Without Endorsement

Rep. Richard A. Gephardt (D-Miss.) paid a call today on former President Jimmy Carter and said, “I come here today not to enhance my prospects but to greet an old friend.” He did not get Carter’s endorsement.

Carter made it clear that with fellow Georgian Sam Nunn not in the race, he has no plans to endorse any of the Democratic presidential candidates before the nominating convention in July.

Standing on the walk in front of his brick home in this small town that he put on the map, Carter also said he believes there is a 50-50 chance that no one will have clinched the presidential nomination before the convention.

“My hope is that out of the primary and caucus season will come a clear winner,” he said. “I’m not sure that’s a likelihood now.”

The former President said he will attend the convention as a delegate and that if there is a deadlock, “I would not personally favor turning to someone outside the active candidate group for the nomination.”