Nation: Jake Butcher: Another Lance?

A "treasure, "says Carter

Back in 1976, Jake Butcher, who may well be Tennessee's next Governor, loaned his friend and fellow banker Bert Lance $443,000 for some of Lance's elaborate financial deals in Georgia. Some wags are now suggesting that Butcher's loan should be classified as an educational expense, so closely has the Tennessee Democrat imitated Lance, both in his banking practices and his ability to get close to Jimmy Carter.

Last week Carter, who was Governor of Georgia when he first met Butcher, campaigned in Nashville for the banker, declaring that "you have a true treasure coming up as your Governor." Butcher...