Columnist Susan Snyder: Visionary’s campaign never dies

Tuesday, March 27, 2001 | 8:29 a.m.

Susan Snyder's column appears Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Reach her at snyder@lasvegassun.com or 259-4082.

Never underestimate the power of a thank-you note.

Sam Chinkes has been waiting 25 years for one from former President Jimmy Carter, and he intends to get it.

"I'm not going to give up until I die," the 77-year-old Sun City Summerlin resident said. "Who knows why? Principle, maybe. Stubbornness. Ego. An artist has to have an ego."

Chinkes, a sculptor and semi-retired advertising designer, says he coined the "Gimme Jimmy" phrase for Carter's 1976 presidential campaign.

Chinkes says his brother was Carter's neighbor when Carter was governor of Georgia. When Carter announced his intentions to seek the Democratic nomination, Chinkes says he called his sibling with the slogan and asked him to pass it along.

When the phrase popped up on signs at the 1976 Democratic National Convention Chinkes figured his message had been received. He waited for a thank-you that never came.

"As an artist, I would not accept credit for somebody's else's creativity. I don't want anybody to accept credit for mine," he said.

Chinkes says he knows it all sounds a little nutty, and there is absolutely no way to prove it. You either believe him or you don't. But even if you don't, you have to admit he is relentless in pursuing a goal.

Ever since, Chinkes has been trying to figure out a way to get in touch with Carter. He sent a letter during Carter's presidency, but all he got in return was a postcard with a form sentiment and the presidential seal.

"I didn't think a thing of that. He didn't even know about it," Chinkes said. "I threw it away."

He contrived a new plan when he learned Carter would be signing copies of his autobiography Friday at a Las Vegas Barnes & Noble Booksellers. Store employees had been instructed that Carter would sign only copies of "An Hour Before Daylight."

But Chinkes was undaunted. Three days before the event he showed up at the book store with an explanation letter and a thank-you letter for Carter to sign tucked into a Federal Express envelope. It prominently mentioned Chinkes' surname, as it is one Chinkes was sure Carter would recognize.

"That's so he'll know that it's not from a kook," he said. "I know it's pure chance. But I am not going to miss this opportunity."

Chinkes arrived Friday at 10:30 a.m. and asked store employees whether his letter had been delivered. It hadn't. They had tossed it out according to instructions.

Chinkes was disappointed but not surprised. And he had Plan B -- a large name tag and the hope that he'd be able to blurt out his request and hand Carter a business card before being escorted from the premises.

Carter took his seat at the table just before 1 p.m., and the long line moved quickly. Chinkes' calm demeanor faltered as he watched Secret Service agents check for books.

"I may get eliminated before I get there," he whispered.

They let him through. Carter's expression changed to one of surprise as Chinkes showed him the name tag, said his piece, put a business card on the table and moved on. The long-awaited exchange lasted seconds.

"On the back I put a new slogan for Habitat for Humanity," Chinkes said. "Maybe he'll contact me.

"But in the meantime I'll get an address for Habitat for Humanity."