Odessa American in Odessa, Texas

Bert Lance Politically Alive and Well in the South

Bert Lance, former Carter budget director and Georgia Democratic chairman, is mounting a political comeback with significant Southern influence. He led southern state chairs to Chicago to back Harold Washington, while courting 1984 presidential hopefuls in Georgia. Lance argues the South requires centrist candidates to win, as Mondale faces South backlash if he appeals to liberal groups. Lance was acquitted after 1970s banking indictments but remains a central figure for Southern strategy and party leadership.