Cranston describes the incoming president, Jimmy Carter, as "a remarkable man, coming as he did from, in effect, nowhere to win the presidency." Carter‘s first goal is to restore confidence in Americans and their institutions. He will soon unveil an anti-inflation package aimed at economic recovery. Cranston expects slow, but increasingly steady economic progress. Regarding the Soviet military build-up, Cranston calls for a sincere effort to end weapons development through the Strategic Arms Limitations Talks (SALT). The only criticism Cranston has heard is that Carter may have erred by going too public in his dealings with the Soviets. Carter‘s plans for a balanced budget by 1981 may be unrealistic if a meaningful arms control agreement is not reached. Cranston is optimistic about the SALT negotiations because the Soviet leaders must eventually face up to the economic and moral imperative of nuclear arms control.