Jimmy Carter's New Low

Fri, 08/29/2008 - 4:04pm
By: Ruth Kimble

JIMMY'S NEW LOW
Posted: 4:06 am
August 29, 2008
(Copyright New York Post)
Jimmy Carter's presence at the Democratic National Convention was limited to a blink-of-the-eye moment - as in, blink and you'll miss him. A quick wave of his hand, and he was ushered from the Pepsi Center podium.
But Carter isn't the sort of man to remain in the background, out of the public eye - as Democratic leaders clearly preferred.
So he called attention to himself by the cheapest stunt possible - insulting John McCain' service to his country.
The GOP standard-bearer, he whined yesterday, is "milking every possible drop of advantage" from the 5½ years he spent as a POW in Hanoi, undergoing debilitating torture.
"John McCain was able to weave in his experience in a Vietnam prison camp, no matter what the question was," said the former president.
That's low, coming from a former commander in chief, himself a Navy veteran.
And it's also uncalled for, given Carter's own abysmal record when it comes to US prisoners - specifically the 52 Americans who were held captive by Iran for 444 days, thanks wholly to his political ineptitude.
John McCain demonstrated strength of character during his imprisonment.
Jimmy Carter's bungling of the Iran crisis demonstrated America's weakness and impotence.
Shame on him.

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Josh's picture
Submitted by Josh on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 12:39pm.

Without meeting a single Iranian demand, each one of those prisoners came home alive and you think that's inept?

I guess a competent leader would have started an endless war in the Middle East, ensuring the captives' death at the same time.


Mike King's picture
Submitted by Mike King on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 6:09am.

is an appropriate word. Facts have a tendency to resurface time and again such as the oft forgotten little episode in a place called "Desert One." Poorly led and woefully equipped, I wonder if our former President remembers the chared remains of those perished being prodded by the very leaders in Iran who for some seven months had mocked the indecisiveness and resolve of a superpower.

The American people were tying yellow ribbons around "old oak trees" but it took the threat of a Republican President to achieve the freedom of these 52 souls.

Leadership, not politics were required then and history has proven that in 1979-1980 very little was present at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.


Submitted by Bonkers on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 8:22am.

I can not let this go without a couple of comments.

The very day that Reagan was sworn in the prisoners were let go. A "threat" of a new President could be looked at as the reason, but I tend to think that it was due to the failure of the military to perform the assigned operation! No "well done" was offered here! I don't want to hear the excuses! Same for the six year war currently!
Once that happened the enemy decided that maybe they hadn't better wait for us to try and do better. They don't understand that an "actor" could blow them up, but a Submarine Naval Officer may not!

Submitted by bowser on Sat, 08/30/2008 - 1:55pm.

You and Rupert Murdoch's NY Post may not like to hear it, but even if Carter exaggerated a bit he is right to call BS on McCain's shameless use of the POW card.

I first noticed it in the GOP debates. Any time Mitt or Ron Paul got under his skin he'd clench his jaw and work in some reference to it. As if to say, I'm a hero and you're not -- how dare you question me. It's the subtle subtext of his whole campaign.

Most recently, when caught unaware how many residences he and his beer heiress trophy wife own, McCain bizarrely retreated to the POW defense -- "I didn't have a house for 5 years, etc etc etc." What that has to do with whether he can relate to the current economic climate is exactly nothing.

Even in his earlier campaign, I always had the feeling McCain thinks the country owes him something for his service. He was just always a little too eager to remind us of what he'd endured for us. The country does owe him something -- gratitude, excellent medical services and a pension.

And by the way, picking Gov. Palin is a gimmick that shows another form of McCain's self-absorption. He had told an interviewer point blank that the key factor in his running mate would be their ability to step immediately into the presidency. Yet in a grab for political advantage he picks a virtual unknown who he had met one whole time.

That is not putting the country first, my friends.

Submitted by Sick of Fascists on Fri, 08/29/2008 - 8:25pm.

was and is a great man and a great statesman. His only "weakness" if you could call it that, is in believing in the fundamental goodness of mankind. A bit like Bush looking into Putin's soul and seeing a good man.

NUK_1's picture
Submitted by NUK_1 on Fri, 08/29/2008 - 10:03pm.

There is a fundamental evil that is also in some of mankind and Carter can look at it straight in the eye and completely miss it again and again. His next step is to blame someone else or an entire country for the fact that some piece of scum is the way he/she is. Even hardcore lefty Obama thinks Carter's approach is the wrong way. Maybe that's because despite his inexperience and relative youth, Obama is not a completely naive dreamer detached from reality. I'd vote for Obama 10 times over Jimmy Carter. Shrillary too. Just about any present Dem for that matter.


Submitted by Sick of Fascists on Fri, 08/29/2008 - 8:20pm.

What it was that Reagan offered Tehran to keep those folks there until after Carter left office.

Submitted by skyspy on Fri, 08/29/2008 - 11:31pm.

or maybe Jimmy Carter just wasn' a good president.

Don't get me wrong, you can either be a great man or a great president. Jimmy Carter is a great man!! He has integrity and is honest. Of the 2 choices, chosing to be a great man is awesome and rare.

NUK_1's picture
Submitted by NUK_1 on Fri, 08/29/2008 - 9:52pm.

The offer was probably release them before I take office or we'll blow you further back into the Stone Age. Iran managed to release them right on the day Reagan was sworn in, which is good for Iran's sake but the alternative might have been better long-term.


Cyclist's picture
Submitted by Cyclist on Fri, 08/29/2008 - 9:57pm.

was to side with Saddam.

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Caution - The Surgeon General has determined that constant blogging is an addiction that can cause a sedentary life style.


Submitted by Davids mom on Fri, 08/29/2008 - 5:33pm.

And it's also uncalled for, given Carter's own abysmal record when it comes to US prisoners - specifically the 52 Americans who were held captive by Iran for 444 days, thanks wholly to his political ineptitude.

Go back and read 'history'. Some interesting 'behind the scenes' stuff going on at that time which was attributed to the Republicans. (A preview of 'dirty tricks to come'.) I don't think "W', or Nixon will be getting any 'prizes' for their term in office or contributions to world peace. It's time for this country to come together. Only by being the UNITED States will we be able to overcome our enemies.

Jimmy Carter's bungling of the Iran crisis demonstrated America's weakness and impotence.
Shame on him.

Shame on those who had our prisoners languish for political reasons.

suggarfoot's picture
Submitted by suggarfoot on Fri, 08/29/2008 - 6:01pm.

I do think the other side works overtime on trying to make people look like jerks.

The lesson in life, is to look, look at the good, look at the bad, and then decide what you want to be.

Many wonderful people in this world, had no example, but they looked at what was around them, and the way they were treated, and decided, " I DON'T WANT TO BE LIKE THAT ! what ever I am, I will be kinder and better than that". They found their way through their conscience.

Sometimes, when there is nothing else to follow, look at what you don't want to be, and then, your heart and your spirit will take over, and you will be exceptional!


Submitted by USArmybrat on Fri, 08/29/2008 - 9:46pm.

Carter has nothing to do with being exceptional, nothing to do with being kinder and better, nothing to do with being wonderful, for God 's sake!! He is way too comfortable with the worst leaders of this world and thinks way too much of himself. He is the ultimate elitist!

carbonunit52's picture
Submitted by carbonunit52 on Sat, 08/30/2008 - 2:24pm.

Jimmy Carter has more caring for humanity in his little finger than all of the neocons and their hanger-ons put together. Politics and all other issues aside, his work to eradicate the Guinea Worm is compassion at its finest, and clearly shows his admirable character.

"Whatever you practice is what you will be good at".


Main Stream's picture
Submitted by Main Stream on Sat, 08/30/2008 - 3:00pm.

After I pulled up the website, I clicked on the video to the right - absolutely grotesque! (never knew about guinea worm)

Thank you Mr. Carter. You are indeed, a great man.


Submitted by Bonkers on Fri, 08/29/2008 - 6:42pm.

Maybe a President of the USA has to also be mean sometimes, doesn't he?
Like bombing people in Iraq?
He may not "want to be" like that, however!

Fred Garvin's picture
Submitted by Fred Garvin on Fri, 08/29/2008 - 5:07pm.

It makes you wonder if Carter ever listened to John Kerry during the last presidential campaign. Kerry couldn't talk ten minutes without referring to his daring bravery under fire in Vietnam. (oh brother) And then there was that "reporting for duty" nonsense at his acceptance speech. Did Carter have anything to say about Kerry?

Every time Carter opens his mouth he embarrasses himself. Time to put a muzzle on him and put him in a nursing home.


JeffC's picture
Submitted by JeffC on Sat, 08/30/2008 - 10:23am.

A lot of Republicans who cannot refute his statements would like to resort to muzzling him. It's easier than arguing facts with him isn't it? All that freedom of speech stuff really doesn't mean anything if the ideas aren't what you hear in the echo chamber? How typical.

A nursing home? Watch this to see how sharp and incisive he is in case you missed it:

Jimmy Carter on an Obama Presidency


Fred Garvin's picture
Submitted by Fred Garvin on Sat, 08/30/2008 - 11:23am.

I just did refute his statement. Jimmy Carter unfairly criticized John McCains military experience. Jimmy Carter is nothing but a bumbling idiot, one of the worst leaders the free world has witnessed, and is an embarassment to our fine country.

But if the democrat party wants to continue parading him around to the detriment of their party, so be it. He embodies the failure of the democrat party.


Submitted by Nitpickers on Sat, 08/30/2008 - 12:19pm.

If there is anything most people know it is that John McCain, among many others was a POW and was tortured.

I intend to vote for him but not due to that, due to his non-partisan attitude at least occasionally, and due to his opposition being inexperienced.

John does need to quit using that POW thing g over and over to the choir! We don't owe him a payback just for that!

JeffC's picture
Submitted by JeffC on Sat, 08/30/2008 - 11:40am.

a partisan who's party is hoping for the hurricane to hit New Orleans so that it will give their sitting President an excuse to not appear at their national convention.


TonyF's picture
Submitted by TonyF on Sat, 08/30/2008 - 10:28am.

"Hey, brother, can you spare a dime?"

"Your, yore, you're all idiots." (T.Floyd)


NUK_1's picture
Submitted by NUK_1 on Fri, 08/29/2008 - 6:52pm.

I think he sounded more clueless and out of touch with political reality than ever, which is saying something coming from him.

First, the racial stuff coming from him is disturbing since his campaign to unseat the very good Governor Carl Sanders didn't hesitate to use race and pictures of Sanders with blacks to try and get some of the hick voters, and it worked. Maybe he meant that McCain would be wise to use the same strategy.

Next, McCain mentioning POW experience is no different than Obama's "yes we can" or "change" message he keeps driving home. Note to Jimmy: these are called campaign themes and candidates drill their "key" message into people's heads. They don't usually scold the American public for having a "crisis of confidence" either, at least not since you did.

I still haven't heard as much about McCain being in the Hanoi Hilton as I have Max Cleland being in a wheelchair for life. I've heard that seemingly forever and the story keeps getting more and more fantasy than reality. Cleland is NOT some war hero injured in combat. He picked up a live grenade that was lying around on the ground of the base and it exploded. That's a far cry from how the story gets told when Dems whine about Chambliss questioning Cleland's patriotism.

I think Jimmy Carter is a good human being who is very misguided in the political realm and was also a terrible president. That doesn't take away from what he tries to do with his various groups like Habitat and verifying election integrity in not-so-safe places around the globe, but he was in over his head as Governor and then WAY overwhelmed with being president. Not his calling and I don't see too many people placing any value on his political take. Even the total disgrace Nixon was still well-respected on foreign policy matters after leaving office in complete shame. Carter's expertise lies elsewhere.


suggarfoot's picture
Submitted by suggarfoot on Sat, 08/30/2008 - 11:56am.

story of Max Cleland. I don't know anything about grenades either, was he supposed to have picked it up because he was trying to save someone else from being hurt, or cause he was a doofuss?


Submitted by Nitpickers on Sat, 08/30/2008 - 12:25pm.

A soldier loses both legs and one arm in a war zone by being too close to a loose grenade, and the "loyal" opposition says he shouldn't be honored for that!

It doesn't matter that an enemy didn't throw the grenade!
No more than it matters when a soldier is killed riding in a truck wreck doing his assigned duty!

The man was no doofuss, he was an Officer.
Unfortunately he happens to be a democrat in Georgia, Also.

JeffC's picture
Submitted by JeffC on Fri, 08/29/2008 - 4:23pm.

After the swiftboating of Kerry, for Republicans to complain about perfectly true comments like this is hysterical! Y'all need thicker skin. Wusses.


mudcat's picture
Submitted by mudcat on Fri, 08/29/2008 - 6:50pm.

Your Dad does not need to be given that same treatment. I have met him several times and he is a good person and I admire him for what he does now.

He was not a good President and he should not have a place on the national stage now since his judgement about what to say is obviously lacking. Nevertheless, he is a good man and I wish him well.

All that is a nicely-worded Southern diss which is usually started -as Rhonda Rich would say - "God bless him ..."


Submitted by Bonkers on Sat, 08/30/2008 - 5:15am.

What a bunch of stuff you commented!

If you were asked the same question today about what kind of President would Governor Sarah of Alaska will make, I'm sure you would find paragraphs of praise for her--she is a neocon!

McCain screwed up on this pick and although I still plan to vote for him, I will be wishing even stronger that he lives at least four years!

The most powerful woman in the world, she would be! Who might she have to listen too in so many emergencies? WOW!

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