Five presidential administrations later than we might have thought, Bob Dylan played The White House on February 10, 2010. It was a great honor for Dylan, albeit long overdue; a White House gig seemed most likely during the Jimmy Carter Administration (1977-81). After all, Carter mentioned Dylan’s name often in his first presidential campaign. He spoke highly of Dylan’s music. As he began what seemed a long-shot race for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination, Carter revealed certain things about himself unknown to even Georgians who had closely followed his political career. He liked rock music. He could recite poems by Dylan Thomas. He referred to Bob Dylan as a “friend.”
I remember being struck when Carter quoted "He who's not busy being born is busy dying" in his acceptance speech for the Democratic presidential nomination at the 1976 Democratic national convention. That alone would have clinched my vote, if I weren't already voting for him!
I remember being struck when Carter quoted "He who's not busy being born is busy dying" in his acceptance speech for the Democratic presidential nomination at the 1976 Democratic national convention. That alone would have clinched my vote, if I weren't already voting for him!