Pres Carter's subtle endorsement and message to the Democratic base..... bet the long shot!!
Posted by Goyo at August 29, 2007 09:54 PMEdwards has always reminded me of Carter - maybe a little less preachy and not quite as smart, but close enough. Carter would have done much better as POTUS if he'd had more experience in elected office - a few years in Congress under his belt. Edwards has the same handicap, a single term in the Senate isn't enough and he is also lighter on that vision thing than Carter was. Not a strong choice. HHS secretary would be a good idea.
Carter's "endorsement" means nothing.
Posted by Marie at August 29, 2007 10:36 PMI liked Carter too, but I think you are undersestimating Edwards. In a way, I glad both of them have not had years of prior experience in the Federal tier of government. We know all too well what that produces for the majority of politicians.
Posted by gtash at August 29, 2007 10:42 PMIt's hardly surprising that Jimmy Carter likes Edwards. Just like it was not surprising that he likes Gore and liked Dean back in 2000.
It's less about specific policies and more about a vision of America and an understanding of the world.
Without putting to strict of a definition on it, it is the populist, not-neo liberal wing of the Democratic Party.
Carter, Gore and Dean all lost to a right-wing world view. One that is about selfishness, more than anything else. Edwards hasn't lost yet, but he is definitely not winning.
I keep thinking, or maybe I am just hoping, that their way of thinking will become more widespread. Obviously, I share it in many respects.
I have been disappointed pretty much my whole life.
Posted by James E. Powell at August 29, 2007 11:09 PMi like carter actually he's the only ex-president i have real respect for, though i certianly found fault with him when he was in office.
and i like john edwards more and more. he's looking like the real progressive populist candidate and he's talking about issues that i think matter to many.
too bad the media plays him and his populist ideas down so much. they're afraid of him. a bit like with dean.
jimmah carter is a good and decent man...but if he is going to back him he ought to say it..and not equivacate..you're either in or your out
Posted by dennis at August 30, 2007 02:47 AMIs this the Jimmy Carter who pulled his support from the Shaw of Iran, started arming the likes of Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan. The same Jimmy Carter who's military preparedness had our Air Force at a sub 50% preparedness. Ah, yes, the guy who tasked a mission with the wrong helicopters into Iraq to "rescue" our hostages. Wonder of wonders, Ross Perot was able to get his men out, but not that president. The same Jimmy Carter who's Sec. of State just got behind Obama. Let's continue that foreign policy.
I like his Habitat for Humanity program, building houses for people with low incomes is a fine endeavor. He gets my praise for that. But certifying the vote for Hugo was just off. His monitoring is just off.
Posted by peter at August 30, 2007 04:00 AMMarie - experience doesn't matter as much as judgement (see Cheney).
Leave it to pants pissing peter to condemn Carter for refusing to back the tyrannt Shah. And amazing he's being criticized for arming the foes of the Soviet Union!
Posted by Gay Veteran at August 30, 2007 05:06 AMCarter did one thing right. He tried to have an energy policy. Other than that he was a miserable president in my opinion. He knew nothing about anything outside the US. He screwed up bigtime on Iran, he was anti nuclear, helped give away the Panama Canal, and a weak president as viewed by other world powers. If I were running I would not want his endorsement.
Posted by JohnT at August 30, 2007 05:55 AMNow, should we list Bush's accomplishments for Peter?
Posted by Judith at August 30, 2007 06:06 AMI agree with John T.
I find very little to praise about Carter, with the exception of his attempt to move our energy policy. In my mind, that actually outweighs all other factors: the selection of Reagan as President in 1980 was a signal disaster for this country, because of the stifling effect it had on a realistic discussion of energy policy.
Carter went around meddling in other countries' affairs for decades after he left office, often working against US policy interests (re: North Korea), because he was greedy for a Nobel Peace Prize. I half think they gave him one to shut him up.
I'm not too impressed with the Camp David agreements. The aid to Israel that we committed was very high, and is part of the problem Israel has today.
I am pretty sure Jimmy Carter got more than one thing right.
The Camp David agreement between Israel and Egypt certainly stands out. Both Sadat and Begin said it would not have happened without Carter working it.
Have any subsequent presidents gained such trust or produced such results in the Middle East?
Posted by James E. Powell at August 30, 2007 07:16 AMJames Powell, what about the cost?
We're still paying for Camp David today, and the money we give to Israel plays a large role in abetting Israeli expansionism.
Did we really have to buy a peace agreement? Sadat was ready to deal after 1973's defeat.
If Jimmy Carter believes that John Edwards presents the best health care plan among the Democratic candidates, the he must be woefully ignorant of the fact that Edwards' plan is, like the other candidates except for Kucinich, beholden to the insurance companies. Carter should realize that Kucinich is the only candidate who is for a single payer government run universal health care plan that eliminates the need for the insurance companies to be involved in the needs of the citizens.
Posted by Erroll at August 30, 2007 08:28 AMCarter was Naval Academy graduate, with post-graduate work studying nuclear physics and reactor technology. He knew the dangers of nuclear power. Served on subs, wanted his own command but left the service after the death of his father.
Wasn't there some nasty dust storms Iran when the rescue effort went array?
A lot better service record than the idiot in office now!
Posted by Seven of Six at August 30, 2007 08:31 AMEdwards has the same handicap, a single term in the Senate isn't enough...
Tell that to Jack Kennedy. Tell that to Busch and his vast experience as a governor.
The same Jimmy Carter who's military preparedness had our Air Force at a sub 50% preparedness.
The same Jimmy Carter who developed the rapid deployment forces that whacked Iraq in Gulf War I and which you incompetents completely misuse in Gulf War II.
from the Shaw of Iran, started arming the likes of Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan.
You mean the same Shah we placed in power after overthrowing a democratically elected government in 1953?
As is always the case with you repube-lick-ons, you are just tapping your foot in the men's room.
Posted by phidipides at August 30, 2007 08:58 AMMarie - experience doesn't matter as much as judgement (see Cheney).
Co-sponsor Senate IWR? Patriot Act? Am sure the list from his one term in office is longish, but on the biggies he exhibited very poor judgment. Also, does it demonstrate good judgment to being a POTUS campaign four years into public office? Sorry, not seeing this good public policy judgment from his. Not even as good as Elizabeth's who understands that same sex marriage is nothing more than equal rights.
Posted by Marie at August 30, 2007 08:59 AMSeven, I didn't cast any questions about his service records. He had a nice Navy career. He tasked the WRONG type of helicopter for the rescue mission. A unit not designated for desert deployment. And in recent elections, his group allowed election boxes out of their control for 24 hour periods, then certified the election as 100% OK.
"Now, should we list Bush's accomplishments for Peter?
Posted by Judith at August 30, 2007 06:06 AM "
Not on this thread, off topic! ;-)
JohnT: Carter...helped give away the Panama Canal....
back to the people of Panama who OWNED it
Posted by Gay Veteran at August 30, 2007 09:20 AMHe tasked the WRONG type of helicopter for the rescue mission.
Indeed. He needed to use the helicopters that warp space and go point to point instead of those old helicopters that have trouble in sand stor...storms... Never mind. The point is drawn too fine for you.
So Carter gets the blame for the military planning of a mission? That then means Busch gets the blame for the military planning in Tillman's death. Something tells me your form of logic won't include this syllogism, but it is appropriate none the less.
Posted by phidipides at August 30, 2007 09:47 AMphidipides, have you considered applying for one of Soto's contributor openings here?
Posted by Julie at August 30, 2007 10:37 AM
Jimmy Carter's administration was dismal and depressing for almost everyone.
He is a good person and at the time meant well but that certainly does not me that a candidate would want his endorsement.
End of discussion.
Posted by jj at August 30, 2007 07:14 PMThe same Jimmy Carter who developed the rapid deployment forces that whacked Iraq in Gulf War I and which you incompetents completely misuse in Gulf War II.
?????
Sorry, wrong guy, wrong war.
Posted by jj at August 30, 2007 07:17 PM