Bill Clinton/Joe Cocker

Johnny Carson - Host: My, uh, my first guest tonight became a media celebrity last week when he delivered the nominating speech for Michael Dukakis at the Democratic National Convention in Atlanta. Uh, Bill Clinton is a four-time governor of Arkansas. He was the nation's youngest governor when he was first elected in 1978, at the age of thirty-two. In a recent Newsweek poll, he was voted one of the five most effective governors in the country. He also oversaw Arkansas's once-depressed state economy...

[audience chuckles]

Johnny Carson - Host: rebound to prosperity through his programs of welfare reform, public health plans, and consumer protection, including a tight rein on utility rates. From his capitol office building in Little Rock, Governor Clinton has helped remold his state into a competitive player in economic business and industry, while maintaining his state's traditional homestead heritage and rugged natural beauty. Marvelous to have him on the show, but that's just ''part'' of the Bill Clinton story. His family and friends remember Bill as an idealistic and determined young man who earned his Bachelor's Degree from Georgetown University, later graduating from Yale Law School. Like fellow Democrat, New Jersey Senator Bradley, who shares the first name "Bill", Governor Clinton expanded his horizons as a Rhodes Scholar, studying at England's renowned Oxford University. He returned to America...

[audience laughs]

Johnny Carson - Host: with a renewed fervor, and while still a law student, ran George McGovern's 1972 presidential campaign in Texas. Two years later, he lost the congressional race, but won widespread public admiration, and was easily elected Attorney General at 29, two years after that. And it's great to have him here. He's also the past chairman...

[audience laughs]

Johnny Carson - Host: of the education committees of the state, and author of the comprehensive report on the importance of leadership in education reform. It gives me great pleasure to welcome a man who currently serves as the Vice Chairman of the Democratic Governor's Association, and who has shown America that Arkansas is more than just trees and Hot Springs National Park. MUCH more. There's Blanchard Springs Caverns...

[audience laughs]

Johnny Carson - Host: There's the country's only active diamond mine. Arkansas is the birthplace of cosmopolitan publisher Helen Gurley Brown, singers Glen Campbell and Johnny Cash, and the late actor Alan Ladd, best known for his performance in the Academy Award winning film, "Shane".

[two audience members chant "We want Bill!"]

Johnny Carson - Host: Bill Clinton. Bill Clinton, a man who Hernando De Soto might have had in mind when he discovered this territory called Arkansas back in 1541. Of course, back then it was owned by France, then Spain, then France again. Then it was sold as part of the now-famous Louisiana Purchase, which brings us full-circle to my first guest. Bill Clinton, a man who loves his state, from its eastern delta to its southern lowland forests, all the way up to its western highlands, which includes, of course, the Ozark Plateau. And in conclusion...

[audience cheers]

Johnny Carson - Host: Here's a man who needs no introduction, the honorable Bill Clinton of Arkansas!