Jimmy Carter Speaks Out On Wright, Obama, McCain

Former President Jimmy Carter appeared on CNN's Larry King Live on Monday, addressing everything from the 2008 election and Rev. Jeremiah Wright to his recent talks with Hamas.

In the first segment, Carter said he would not have left Wright's church after hearing his remarks, and that Wright wouldn't be "anything permanent or damaging" to Sen. Barack Obama's candidacy.

CARTER: I grew up in Plains, Georgia and we have 600 people and 11 churches. And the largest and most powerful church is the Lebanon Baptist Church, which is an African-American Baptist church, so I have heard this kind of preaching all my life when we visited their church and they came to mine. What I think he's teaching is a liberation theology and his origins... I think sermons are still shaped by the deprivation of racial discrimination that our country has felt for 100 years after the civil war.

Carter said he would not be endorsing a candidate during the primaries (despite the fact that "all of my grandchildren and all of their spouses and all of my children and all of their spouses were for Obama"), and predicted that the party would rally around a winner after the primary elections were over in early June. But he did offer praise to both candidates:

I think [Obama] has brought a new level of eloquence and inspiration to a lot of people. Hillary has also surprised a lot of people with her tenacity and her capability as a formidable candidate. I think at first she was kind of in the shadow of her husband. I think now she's blossomed forth in a very formidable fashion. If I were she, I would not withdraw until defeated and if I was Obama I would go forward as well.

In the second part, Carter addressed his recent trip to Israel and the Palestinian territories, during which he spoke twice to representatives of Hamas. King played clips of John McCain challenging Obama to condemn Carter's meetings, and of Obama saying he personally would not have met with Hamas.

Carter responded:

Well, you know, I know the pressures that are on candidates running for president or Congress or governor or anything else in this country, and I don't blame Senator McCain for making what I consider a very foolish statement, telling Obama to tell me what to do. And I think Obama takes the right attitude by saying it's not his place to tell me what to do, but he would not go and meet with them. I think it's perfectly rational.

Comments

[Peteyman]

Quick riddle:

What do Dezzertguy, GotAlife, Mattatat, AnninCA, and Hypocrisy slayer have in common?

[dezzertguy]

They think? They read? They verify?

[strifeknot]

Wow, the reactionaries and Zionists have a massive hate-on for Carter.

Carter 08.

[JohnKemp]

Say what?

Didn't Jimmmmmmy wax eloquent about 18% interest rates? 20% inflation? 8% unemployment?

And why is Jimmmmmmmy not in Zimbabwe rather than the ME? Hell, Mugabe is Jimmmmmmy's man.

Stolen elections, confiscated property given to his relatives & all.

[bharath]

prospect of an Israeli-Palestine peace resolution might have an "actual impact" on the price of oil. especially among speculators.

[LucasFibonacci]

Wonderful man, Carter. He studies the issues, learns who the major players are. Tries to intervene when there's a chance that he can have a positive influence.

It's a joy to listen to him and note how carefully he weighs his words. No overreactions like Clinton threatening to obliterate Iran. And no senior moments like McCain, who can't even remember who's on which side.

[OverCoffee]

When children fight in school, a mediator helps them resolve their differences. The same is true in many employee-employer relationships and spousal conflicts. What's wrong with former President Carter trying to mediate to bring peace to the middle east?

[Ted4]

castrochavez08 writes above that Senator Obama has also attended the prayer breakfasts sponsored by this illicit group called The Fellowship and has also spoken to its attendees. However, these large public breakfasts are not the same as the small private prayer meetings conducted by The Fellowship that Clinton has attended regularly for many years with the likes of former Senator Santorem and others of his ilk. Also, Clinton has lauded this fellow Coe who is the apparant director of this subversive group. Read the Nation article cited and then ask why Clinton has the nerve to say that Obama should have left his church because of one Wright sermon he did not attend and has rejected while she attends private prayer meetings with these right wing undemocratic hacks.

[castrochavez08]

Helloooooo Ted. See the little reply button at the bottom of everyone's comment? This is how we talk to each other here. No need to go up to the top of the page to get the jump on someone.

And I most certainly did not "write above that Senator Obama has also attended the prayer breakfasts sponsored by this illicit group called the fellowship"
What I did, was quote from my posted link the words used by an Obama spokesman.

You might consider pasting some links or quotes to back up your assertions about Clinton "attending regularly for many years". Is this really true or are you exaggerating?

I also suggest that the Obama supporter who appeared to be salivating over the Clinton connection to this Christian extremist group was living in a glass house.
Seems like you are too.

Both Barrack Obama and Hillary Clinton are way too right wing for me.
The sanctimonious gotcha petty politics which BOTH sides apply to the other is laughable.
Neither candidate is clean, neither is going to change the dirty game known as DC politics.
That is why they both ignored their better instincts and chose to attend the meetings of insane Christian extremists.

But at least we both can agree that "illicit group" is a good way to describe the Fellowship.

[Dramaticlookcat]

Jimmy Carter has the biggest messianic complex. He's so flawed. He's one of these people who is ALMOST a very good person, but that giant ego is constantly getting in his way.

[andyboy]

As opposed to your tiny ego that causes you to be jealous of anyone who actually accomplishes things and who's opinion is headline news all over the world?

[RoloTomassi]

BAM! You nailed him.

[kylie]

He is a very intelligent, hardworking, interesting, and honest man.

He has brought opposing sides together and done a great deal for this country and for the cause of peace.

Now, let's compare his accomplishments to GWB'S. Enough?

[helonias]

So where are also the comparisons of Nixon and Mao.

Chickens

[dezzertguy]

Such a disgusting man. A fellow Georgian and cradle Southern Baptist here in town finds it very easy for Carter to be anti semitic. Given Carter's actions and writings, it is even more apparent. Carter is a liar and will do anything he thinks will improve his legacy. What a horrible man.

[conservativesoncrack]

Huh?

You must truley be on crack...

What a horrible person you must be.

[dezzertguy]

No, I just chose to use my mind. Sorry. I would not call you horrible, just simple. That is okay for you but I would rather think.

[helonias]

What about love thine enemies, don't they teach you about that in Baptist churches?

[dezzertguy]

Yes, they did. But loving thine enemy does not mean you just fall at their feet. It means you care enough to try and change their ways not follow them.

[andyboy]

dezzertguy,

I read your post three times. I can't make heads or tails of it. Are you drunk already?

Give us an example of a Carter lie. Just one. We'll all be waiting smart guy.

[dezzertguy]

Here is one, I will look for others:

http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=4727254&page=1

He lied about Rice and the State Department. There are more I have posted before and I will look for them again. I am not drunk, just thinking. If you try, you may be able too as well.

[dezzertguy]

Here is another from US New and World Report:

There is bipartisan condemnation of Carter's meeting, but Carter has a long history of support for Hamas. This is what Carter said on Nov. 28, 2006, on pbs: "Since August of 2004 [Hamas] has not committed a single act of terrorism that cost an Israeli life, not a single one."

That is flatly untrue.

Hamas itself claimed responsibility, for example, for the 16 people who were killed and 100 wounded in August 2004 in nearly simultaneous suicide bombings of two city buses in Beersheba; for an attack on September 29 of that year when two preschool children were killed by Kassam rockets fired from Gaza; for an attack on Jan. 13, 2005, at the Karni Crossing between the Gaza Strip and Israel, which killed six civilians. And the list goes on. Carter spoke out on behalf of Hamas and against the secular party Fatah last year at the very time that Hamas thugs were throwing Fatah members to their death from Gaza rooftops.

Everyone tells a lie at one time or another. It is just that Carter will do anything, lie, support terrorist, if he thinks it will improve his image.

[rshrink]

And you are the worst judge of character that I have ran across.

[sssteverrr]

President Carter is an American Hero and to my mind our most honest, ethical and well intentioned President. If character matters, then Preisident Carter is one of our greatest Presidents by a great margin.

[thacher]

American hero? Jesus Christ. Don't you mean terrorist hero? How many have died, how many continue to live under tyranny, because of this hero? Oh, and why does N. Korea have nukes? Yeap, that's right, it's our hero.

This terrorist scumbag should be in jail. Jimmy Carter is a disgrace to this nation. Worst President Ever. Worst Ex-President ever.

[badjuggler]

Wow, Thacher, you are one psychotic individual. Carter is the finest president of my lifetime (I am 48). He sacrificed a second term to save the lives of the hostages in Iran. He could have been a Tough Guy and sent force in to get them out, probably killing them, but chose the high road knowing full well it would cost him re-election. Plus he is easily the most distinguished post-presidency with all of his work for Habitat and free elections and peace in general.

Get a clue, thacher!

[Queenofthedamned]

Jimmy Carter negotiated the peace between Egypt & Israel that has held since his presidency. What has YOUR party done for the cause of peace? What has YOUR party done for the economic prosperity of the country? YOU and your nitwit fellowtravelers like dezzertguy (a redstate redneck of the worst sort and yet another meanspirited, snake-handlin', this- is- what -Jesus -really- meant "christian," are what disgrace us as a nation. Oh, but wait--I forgot. YOUR side doesn't want or even like peace. Peace is for pussies, right? You LIKE war, torture, white people and no taxes except for weapons. The flag is the new pashmina for sunshine patriots such as you--since it's YOUR symbol, I say let's burn it--so far, we've still got that right.

[reelcobra]

Carter fits right in here on the HuffPo as evidence by these comments.

If he succeeds in facilitating the total destruction of the state of Israel, he will go into the HuffPo Hall of Fame with Noam Chompsky, Yasser Arafat, and Adolf Hitler.

You "progressives" are great.

[Meah]

Go away, neocon, we have had it with all of you. It is interesting that Carter says that Israel is more open to him than those in this country. Your brand of reasoning is over.

[reelcobra]

That's why Israel refused him entry and a security detail, Meah. Israel loves the fact that he is meeting with people sworn to destroy their country's men, women, and children.

See you at the next "Free Tibet" rally.

[wiseapple]

How is opening dialogue going to facilitate the destruction of a country? You must be a crazy asp!

[reelcobra]

Let's see...

He "opens dialogue" with a terrorist gang dedicated to the desrtuction of another country.

He comes out of their meeting lying about the intentions of the gang, and offering a truce on their behalf.

The gang points out that they offered no truce, only reconfirmed the terms of the other country's surrender, and that are still committed to violence against innocents.

Sounds good to me.

[helonias]

And what about Nixon and Mao tell us all about that. PLeeease

[rshrink]

Congratulations on thinking of the other perjorative label, "progresssive" which now also applies to moderate repubs. Noticing again how you steer away from anything factual, choosing rather to say emotionally based provocative comments instead. Nice.

[Chandidevi]

This is a link to an article in "The Nation' magazine which identifies Hillary Clinton's religious affiliation today. It is called "The Fellowship", a fascist groupin D.C., that praises Hitler's techniques and eventual ascent to power; they believe that only the "elite" should be in power. Why is this BARELY COVERED IN THE PRESS?

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20080331/ehrenreich

[castrochavez08]

You live in a glass house, Chandidevi, careful where you throw those rocks.

http://blogs.abcnews.com/theblotter/2008/04/like-clinton-ob.html

"a quick call to the Obama campaign elicited a confirmation that the junior senator from Illinois had also attended "a couple" of Coe’s meetings. And, like Clinton reportedly has, Obama spoke at one of the meetings about his faith, spokesman Bill Burton confirmed."

Kissing the collective ass of the right wing Christian extremists is wrong no matter who does it.

[leftbehind2000]

That anyone running for president should be required to acknowledge these shitbirds on any level is a testament to just how craven our country has become.

[Chapmanp2]

Jimmy Carter you are Loved & appreciated by America.
You have shown your intentions to be pure, Loving, Peaceful, & Noble.
Your humanitarian efforts are exactly what this Country needs @ this time.
Maybe if we spend a fraction of the time & money we spend on war, on Peace instead we would reap the benefits. You sir are an inspiration. Senators Clinton, Obama, & McCain should be encouraging your Peace efforts instead of puffing out their chests for the benefit of AIPAC...
Thankyou.

[mjc]

It seems the same folks who believe that Obama can do no wrong, never be challenged, or, God forbid, criticize, also believe that Israel is a just nation, treats its neighbors with respect and deals gently with civilians in the neighboring states. That's when history has to step in and say, GET REAL.

[Beachrunner]

Jimmy "I love terrorists" Carter needs to go back to his peanut farm.

Ranked the 11th worst president in the history of the United States. Quite an accomplishment.

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/070216/16president.polls.htm

[savertime]

Just where do you think Bush will rank? Carter will definetly be pushed down in the rankings.

[nirek]

President Carter is a GREAT man and king Bush will be ranked last forever.

[leftbehind2000]

Carter doesn't love terrorists. He is merely intelligent enough to know that you can't negotiate peace if you are unwilling to talk. Great statesmen find a way to make things work. Others, like the criminal in the White House, stick their heads in the sand (or perhaps, negotiate privately under a different set of criteria - one that forwards their own agenda).

Carter is a great American and a great statesman. He has been lampooned and marginalized by a country (and even a party in the DNC) who still fails to recognize that he is a national treasure. His legacy will be one which strove for peace and prosperity for all people. Fortunately, the rest of the world comprehends this, as his Nobel Prize will attest.

[helonias]

Almost as much as the "Love Thine Enemies" Jesus guy

[leftbehind2000]

It's pretty evident that righties like this clown would have hated the real Jesus.

[sssteverrr]

President Carter is an American Hero and to my mind our most honest, ethical and well intentioned President. If character matters, then Preisident Carter is one of our greatest Presidents by a great margin.

[rshrink]

And you have been rated the 2nd worst logger on Huffpost. everything.comhing.com

[user999]

george w. bush is clearly averse to diplomacy. why cant he just deputize carter to handle the middle east. send anyone, just send someone.

i wish i had people clamoring to do the parts of my job i hate.