Frank Moore, who served as President Jimmy Carter’s congressional liaison, passed away on Thursday at his home in St. Simons Island, Georgia. He was 89 years old, and his son Brian confirmed the news of his death.
Mr. Moore was a prominent figure in the so-called “Georgia Mafia” that surrounded Mr. Carter during his presidency. He was noted as the last surviving person to have worked with Mr. Carter throughout his political journey, from his early days as a Georgia state senator to the presidency.
During the Carter administration, Democrats held control over both branches of Congress, providing what appeared to be a favorable environment for legislative achievements. However, the Democratic Party was ideologically diverse, comprising members with varying views, which posed challenges for Mr. Carter and Mr. Moore, who had originally met on a planning panel in Georgia in the 1960s.
After being elected governor, Mr. Carter appointed Mr. Moore as his chief of staff and later made him the White House's congressional liaison upon taking office. Mr. Moore extensively introduced himself to members of Congress and was involved in policy formulation, often meeting with Mr. Carter several times a day.
Despite his efforts, Mr. Moore faced criticism from Congress for perceived failures to consult members and communicate effectively. Reports indicated he struggled to form necessary alliances, and his performance was often scrutinized, leading to him being described as “the most maligned man in the Carter administration.”
Mr. Moore did achieve some legislative successes, including tax cuts and the restructuring of the Civil Service, but many proposed reforms failed to gain traction. In mid-1979, amid growing speculation about staff changes, Mr. Carter asked for the resignations of his cabinet, though Mr. Moore retained his position despite the criticism directed at him.
Born on July 27, 1935, in Dahlonega, Georgia, Mr. Moore studied accounting at the University of Georgia and began his career with Quaker Oats. Following Mr. Carter's presidency, he served as vice president for government affairs at Waste Management and was involved in planning war memorials nationally and internationally.
Mr. Moore is survived by his son Brian, two daughters, Elizabeth and Courtney, another son, Henry, a sister, Ann Wimpy, and five grandchildren. He had a close relationship with Mr. Carter, frequently speaking with him about non-political topics such as hunting and family. In retrospective interviews, Mr. Moore reflected on the challenges of congressional relations during an activist presidency, suggesting that avoiding contentious legislation is key to maintaining good relations.