<object width="420" height="245" id="msnbc1c1254" classid="clsid27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=10,0,0,0"><param name="movie" value="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32545640" /><param name="FlashVars" value="launch=44556415&width=420&height=245" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><embed name="msnbc1c1254" src="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32545640" width="420" height="245" FlashVars="launch=44556415&width=420&height=245" allowscriptaccess="always" allowFullScreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed></object> I've always liked Jimmy Carter; though, not for any particularly legitimate reasons. Once I learned he studied physics in college--as would I--I was naturally biased in his favor. That said, it's hard to gauge just how effective a president he was: initially, I had learned he was an ineffectual politician, but the more I read, it seems that his time in office was perhaps successful. Similarly, I remember learning in high school that Reagan's years in office marked a particularly bad presidency (per my textbook if I recall), but now, history seems to be in the process of also being rewritten for Republican Jesus. In either case, it's scary to see how fickle "history" can be... What's the truth? I have no clue. Back to Jimmy Carter... he's a smart guy.
It's always a shame when certain people try to paint Carter as some sort of dumb hillbilly, he's an awfully bright guy.
smart guy, but ineffectual president. I voted for him in ’76, but not in '80 (campaigned and voted for John Anderson.)
Such a sad downward progression. Palin is your favorite I assume but Bachman or Perry will do in a pinch?
The Camp David Accords culminating in the peace treaty between Israel and Egypt was one of the single greatest accomplishments of the last 50 years.
Yes, it was something almost everyone said was impossible and would just never get done. Carter worked his tail off to get those accords signed and put in place. It is pretty close to what people see as the likelyhood of having peace between the Palestinians and Israelis. Carter was driven towards peace and saw it through.
Super bookish presidents don't connect effectively with "the people." This has been pretty consistent in our 200+ years. Being bookish, I really like having smart people in charge, but I acknowledge the importance of the disconnect.
To me, it's ok for the public to talk freely about your president if you vote but it is not ok for a former president to bash a current or former president. Not cool Jimmy...
Didn't Reagan do some back room deals with the terrorist to not release the hostages until after the election . . . . . back in 1980. Smart and Effective are not always the same. So I understand. He has been a great President since leaving office. Rocket River
With whom, and in exchange for what, precisely? The rumors are that the hijackers waited until the minute Reagan was inaugurated to make sure to embarrass Carter, or that they actually decided to release the hostages because they worried Reagan would deal with them "like a cowboy."
Unless their parents were abusive drunks and they loved rock music, women couldn't vote and racism didn't matter yet, or they rewrote the entire governmental and social model for Western civlization.
maddow needs to go back to doing her old tv show, perfect strangers I cant believe Balki is interviewing presidents.
A good look at the man from the Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/sep/11/president-jimmy-carter-interview
