In May 1974, Hunter S. Thompson was covering Senator Edward M. Kennedy as the senator gathered support for what many believed would be his upcoming presidential campaign. Thompson followed Kennedy to a speech given by Governor Jimmy Carter at the University of Georgia School of Law. Thompson had no intention of listening to or reporting on Carter's speech, but when the governor quoted Bob Dylan, Thompson put down his drink and took out his tape recorder. Thompson was unexpectedly impressed by Carter's oratory, describing it as "a king hell bastard of a speech" that "rung every bell in the room".

Carter challenged the status quo by speaking candidly about defects in the American judicial system. He criticized the powerful and influential for shaping laws to maintain their privileged positions. He referenced Dylan's "Maggie's Farm" to illustrate social inequality. He criticized lawyers for opposing an ethics bill in the state legislature. He praised Martin Luther King Jr., acknowledging that many in the room might have despised him for shaking up the social structure.

The speech is recognized as a pivotal moment that helped transform Carter from a relatively unknown governor into a serious contender for the presidency. Carter's willingness to speak truth to power led to Thompson writing an endorsement of Carter in Rolling Stone, which helped galvanize disaffected voters. 

This is a CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) interview with Hunter S. Thompson from 1977. 

VIDEO: Hunter S. Thompson Recalls a Speech by Jimmy Carter on Bob Dylan and Martin Luther King, Jr.