[271] Carter delivered a speech notable for its tribute to the late Hubert Humphrey, whom he initially called "Hubert Horatio Hornblower",[272] and Kennedy made the "The Dream Shall Never Die" speech, in which he criticized Reagan and did not endorse Carter.[273]
Along with Reagan and Kennedy, he was opposed by centrist John B. Anderson, who had previously contested the Republican presidential primaries, and upon losing to Reagan, re-entered as an independent. Anderson advertised himself as a more liberal alternative to Reagan's conservatism.[274] As the campaign went on, Anderson's polling numbers dropped and his base was gradually pulled to Carter or Reagan.[275] Carter had to run against his own "stagflation"-ridden economy, while the hostage crisis in Iran dominated the news every week. He was attacked by conservatives for failing to "prevent Soviet gains" in less-developed countries, as pro-Soviet governments had taken power in countries including Angola, Ethiopia, Nicaragua and Afghanistan.[276] His brother, Billy Carter, caused controversy due to his association with Muammar Gaddafi's regime in Libya.[277] He alienated liberal college students, who were expected to be his base, by re-instating registration for the military draft. 