A last word, perhaps, from Jimmy Carter
Here’s something you probably didn’t know:
Richard Nixon, the man most responsible for putting him in the White House, can also be held to account for Jimmy Carter’s latest book — as well as the most documented ex-presidency in American history.
Former President Jimmy Carter installs a dead bolt at the Harville home in Fairfield, Ala., last during a visit to the Habitat For Humanity community in Fairfield Ala. AP/The Birmingham News.
Yes, that’s right. That Nixon. The fellow with the metal detector and Bermuda shorts.
We know this because Carter phoned here the other day, a little damp from pounding a few nails at a Habitat for Humanity site in Washington D.C., but otherwise in good health.
Late last month, the former president had given obituary writers across the country a group heart attack by checking into a Cleveland hospital only a few days before his 86th birthday.
It took one day to kill the stomach virus, and a second day to satisfy an army of doctors — which threw a national book tour into havoc. So the intently organized Carter had to double up last week — flogging his new tome over the phone while in the middle of a five-city tour of Habitat sites.
The ex-president will be at the Carter Center in Atlanta at 6 p.m. Wednesday to sign copies of “White House Diary.”
“This may be my last chance to offer an assessment of my time in the White House,” Georgia’s most famous peanut farmer was quoted as saying in the press release enclosed with copies of the book sent to journalists.
“Well, it is,” the elderly man said over the phone, in bottom-line fashion.
The book, which runs to 500-plus pages, is a distillation of Carter’s daily and sometimes hourly, but always unofficial, musings during his four years as president.
“This is the most definitive that anybody could possibly be. I dictated my most highly personal and private notes that I made seven or eight times a day for four years. I’ve had to cut down the volume of those notes by about 80 percent,” he said. “But after about a year I’m going to make the entire original transcript available at the Carter Presidential Library.”
Details run the gamut. White House staff concerns over the fact that Carter owed no federal income taxes in 1976. (See, Nathan Deal? You’re not alone.) Mideast quibbling. Iranian hostages. A meeting with the prime minister of Grenada, who believed in flying saucers and whose dirty laundry fell out when he opened the wrong briefcase.
Most notably, the book includes Carter’s assertion that U.S. Sen. Ted Kennedy, who would mount a debilitating primary campaign against the president in 1980, sabotaged his president’s effort to bring about a national health care system — delaying the Democratic objective for another three decades.
“White House Diary” includes a few regrets: Carter admits he neglected the political aspects of the U.S. presidency. “I made minimal efforts to develop and maintain the [Democratic] party’s cohesion,” he confesses. (See “Kennedy, Ted.”)
And he failed to establish “a mutually respectful relationship” with the Washington press corps.
But the biggest surprise may be the origin of the ex-president’s career as a writer. Carter said he began jotting his White House notes to posterity from the get-go because of a trip to Washington not long after his election as governor of Georgia.
It was February 1971 or ’72, he thinks. The occasion was a gathering of the nation’s governors. His wife Rosalynn was with him.
Though he had earned a little national ink for his inaugural declaration that segregation in the South was dead, Carter was relatively sheltered. He had never met a U.S. president before. And Nixon was present at one affair.
“When he greeted my wife, he said, ‘Young lady, do you keep a diary?’ And she said, ‘No,’” Carter remembered. “And he said, ‘Well, you ought to.’ That’s the reason I began to keep my diary notes. Of course, I never did tape-record anybody.”
Fate is often a circular beast in pursuit of its own tail. While an excellent dispenser of advice, Nixon turned out to be a lazy diarist. His reliance on a secretly embedded recording system in the Oval Office proved his downfall in the Watergate scandal.
Nixon’s 1974 resignation cleared the way for the Georgia governor — one who promised never to tell a lie — to take the national stage.
But when the American public tired of Carter in 1980, it was Nixon and his advice who again came to the rescue of the 39th president.
“White House Diary” is only the latest of about two dozen books penned by Carter. He has experimented with poetry and fiction. But the best of the former president’s literary works are those that have depended on a diarist’s daily habit.
We know where Carter thinks his celestial soul is headed. His 500 Sunday school lesson plans — all recorded, according to “White House Diary” — tell us that.
But Carter, like Nixon and Teddy Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln and John Adams before him, also believes that man has a civic soul — an afterlife, if you will, in the bosom of history books.
This kind of immortality rarely gives its subject the last word. But our Jimmy Carter, meticulous to the end, is out to seize it if he can.
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76 comments Add your comment
Last Man Standing
October 9th, 2010
3:14 pm
I think Carter has achieved the closest thing to immortality man will ever know: he would have been known as the worst President in history had it not been for the man called Obama.
Virginia
October 9th, 2010
4:06 pm
And one named Nixon and one named Bush!
double
October 9th, 2010
4:14 pm
I’ll second @virginia
Last Man Standing
October 9th, 2010
4:15 pm
Virginia:
Sorry. Nixon and Bush didn’t make the cut. It’s Obama hands down, followed closely by Carter.
Carter is a fool
October 9th, 2010
4:22 pm
NO, baring only one — our current community organizer, Carter is the worst president in the history of the US. PERIOD — only Obuma is worse and unfortunately he is not done. It is time for this Old Fool to shut up and build houses, but no longer comment on the disaster of his presidency. Who cares what he has to say.
Mike
October 9th, 2010
4:26 pm
Nice article on Mr Carter but not sure why the Nixon inclusion though. You repubs consider him a bad President however one thing about Mr Carter he has far surpassed any President before and after him for his humanity for man. Nixon was a bona fide crook and a great liar. That will always be his history even if you repubs act as if it never happened. “I am not a crook”. Yeah right
Will Jones - Atlanta Jeffersonian Exegesis
October 9th, 2010
4:28 pm
Any who think it possible to have a president worse than the traitor who committed 9/11 isn’t an American. “The New Pearl Harbor” by an Emeritus Professor and Ph.D. of proven integrity, proving Bush’s and Cheney’s treason, is a free download on Google Scholar…peer reviewed and all, for those whose factional “discipline” prevents their acting intelligently or honestly. That Carter hasn’t striven to bring to justice the Roman Anti-Christ’s “Fifth Column” speaks all one need know of his status as Man of G-d, Georgian, or American.
TJ
October 9th, 2010
4:31 pm
All our current problems started with Jimmah + his loan/big gov’t handouts.
catlady
October 9th, 2010
4:43 pm
Have we had ANY presidents in the last 40 years who have done as much pro bono work as Jimmy Carter? Forget the golfing, cattle roping, airplane jumping, speaking-occasions-for-$100,000 jerks. Whether I agree with all his pronouncements or causes, at least he has made an effort to do good things, unlike so many others, including FAILED presidential candidates, I might add.
Last Man Standing
October 9th, 2010
4:56 pm
catlady:
No one would have had any problem with Carter if he had restricted himself to “pro bono work”. It was just when he involved himself in politics that he became a problem. Carter’s ego makes Roy Barnes appear shy and retiring!
Last Man Standing
October 9th, 2010
4:58 pm
catlady:
BTW, your fangs are showing.
Carter is a fool
October 9th, 2010
4:58 pm
No, he has just deluded himself that he was
A. Relevant
B. Important
C. Mattered
If he had just shut up and built houses, no problems. I think that he has the intention to do the right thing, but he cannot see what is right from wrong. For example he cannot keep from meedling in other country’s elections. He has never met a dictator he did not love and he has consistently tried to undermine every subsequent president by shooting off at the mouth to gain headlines.
It really is time for him to SHUT UP and build houses.
Virginia
October 9th, 2010
5:03 pm
Sorry, Last Man, neither Obama nor Carter come close to Baby Bush as WORST ever!! Nixon comes in a close second to Baby Bush. And Catlady, I agree that Jimmy Carter is the most inspiring ex-President ever. He’s not just sitting back and raking in dough, he’s out there making a difference for folks who need help. The man actually LIVES his faith, not just gives it lip service while never raising a hand to help others!! Go Mr. Carter…….hope you live to be 100! And don’t ever stop giving us your opinion…….a voice of compassion and sanity in a State sadly lacking in both!!
Last Man Standing
October 9th, 2010
5:04 pm
Carter is a fool:
You nailed him exactly.
Last Man Standing
October 9th, 2010
5:07 pm
Virginia:
Keep on sipping the Kool-Aid. You’ll be OK . . .
Last Man Standing
October 9th, 2010
5:15 pm
Has anyone other than me noticed that whenever catlady appears, Virginia is never far behind or when Virginia arrives, catlady trails in shortly afterward?
Hmmm . . .
Sid519
October 9th, 2010
5:30 pm
President Carter was humane in his Iran policy – he did not bomb Iran and all hostages were released alive. A lesser president would have mounted an attack on Iran, perhaps causing the death of many hostages. He was also far ahead of his times in green energy, for example, solar panels on the White House roof. He achieved peace between Egypt and Israel, and has pleaded the cause of just peace in the Middle East since.
John Galt
October 9th, 2010
5:52 pm
The title of this article caught my attention; one can only hope that the previous word from Carter will be the last word heard (and before you liberals knee-jerk into spasms, I wish him to be silent, not dead). The fact that Carter has done a lot of Hab for Hum work is nice, but I could name a dozen men and women who have done more charity work than Carter; they just do it everyday without a camera and without the desire to be declared a saint.
Carter was a good ex-President until he proved that Miss Lillian didn’t teach him any manners or class and he began to spew his bitterness in appropriate places (remember Corretta Scott King’s funeral?) and began to violate centuries-long tradition by opining on the policies of Presidents who were vastly more successful than he was.
When we reflect on Carter’s ineffective economic policies and his naive and inept foreign policies, let us NEVER forget that the gutting of our intelligence capabilities by President Carter and Senator Frank Church helped enable the current terrorists of the world and contributed DIRECTLY to 911.
Carter failed as a President, neutered our ability to proactively prevent terrorist acts, and embarassed Georgians by representing us to the world as ill-mannered, naive and uncouth. He should fade away in shame and hope to be forgotten, but he is unfortunately too arrogant and stupid to do so.
Virginia and catlady, if works made one a Christian (and they don’t), Carter’s benevolent carpentry would be negated by his prideful arrogance and his visible bitterness. I hope he is depending on grace and not his self-promoting charity work to get him to heaven.
John Galt
October 9th, 2010
5:57 pm
Hey Sid-
How is that kindness toward Iran and that Middle Eastern peace working out for you?
The examples that you cited are two of the proofs of this man’s naivete and his lack of the courage necessary to serve as CIC. Both of those actions were idealistic, and in the clarity of hindsight, 100% worthless.
Last Man Standing
October 9th, 2010
6:01 pm
Sid519:
“all hostages were released alive”
If memory serves, the hostages were released as President Raegan was sworn in as President. Could it just be that Iran feared any possible action that President Raegan might take were the hostages not released?
“He achieved peace between Egypt and Israel, and has pleaded the cause of just peace in the Middle East since.”
And just how is all that working out now?
Last Man Standing
October 9th, 2010
6:03 pm
Very well stated, John Galt.
Virginia
October 9th, 2010
6:24 pm
@Last Man: No, but I did notice that your buddies, “td” and “Retired Soldier” have pretty much abandoned you!
@ John Galt: “Virginia and catlady, if works made one a Christian (and they don’t), Carter’s benevolent carpentry would be negated by his prideful arrogance and his visible bitterness. I hope he is depending on grace and not his self-promoting charity work to get him to heaven.”
I don’t think Mr. Jimmy is worried about getting into heaven and he probably does not need to worry. You, on the other hand, seem to know nothing about what is expected of us here on earth. Maybe this will help you:
“So let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16
TimInAtl
October 9th, 2010
6:45 pm
Amen Virginia!
td
October 9th, 2010
6:58 pm
TD is checking in now. Right now history tells us that Carter is the worst President we have had. His economic policies were identical to what Obama is doing today and he had the horrible foreign policy debacles. Although I think Obama’s domestic policies will end up worse than Carter, he will not be judged worse if he does not have a major foreign policy blunder (and for the sake of the USA I pray daily that he does not). Bush responded and responded boldly when we were attacked and Nixon opened up China. These are the reasons they will never be rated below Carter as a President. Believe it or not but Bush will probably be shown in history in the top 10 Presidents of all time.
Last Man Standing
October 9th, 2010
7:26 pm
Astute observation, td.
Real Athens
October 9th, 2010
7:48 pm
There is nothing astute about the observations of the mutual admiration society that lurks on these boards. Nor is there any evidence of even a minimal grasp of historical perspective — hence, we seem condemned to repeat it.
Worst Presidents? How about Warren G.Harding; Herbert Hoover; Andrew Johnson; Calvin Coolidge; U.S. Grant; James Buchanan; Millard Fillmore.
George W. Bush will never, ever, “probably” (whatever) be shown in history as anything other than a corporate lackey. He will go down in history as the only President who started two wars and did not raise taxes – resulting in the dismal economic mess he heaped upon all but the uber rich. Fact.
John Galt
October 9th, 2010
7:59 pm
Matthew 5:16 is a good verse; I might also recommend to you:
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast- Ephesians 2:8-9
What is expected of me here on earth is to obey God, who has revealed much of His character and His will for us through His scriptures. I never said Carter was not going to heaven, I just hope Carter doesn’t think his charity work will get him there.
I can’t know his heart, but his charity work brings to mind the publican praying on the street corner and thanking God that he is not like the rest of us. Carter’s mistaken belief that the world needs his views on other Presidents- and he has done it to republicans and Obama alike- suggests some confusion of his importance on his part, and perhaps gratitude that he is wiser than the rest of us.
td
October 9th, 2010
8:15 pm
Real Athens, History has not been written yet on Kennedy forward yet, so none of them are really rated by legitimate historians. It is usually 50 to 100 years later that their ratings come out. Now, what do the current top 10 list have in common? The lead the nation during either war time or a crisis in America. W will go down as one of the top ten Presidents of all time because of this criteria set by previous historians in rating Presidents. Historians are sort of like the Supreme court and precedents from past historians are extremely critical.
Historians do not grade current former Presidents because they want to put the actions in context and leave out the current inherited biases in the current day politics (Liberal or conservative). If they accepted the biases then how do you think Lincoln would be rated? Have you ever read the news paper articles in NY during and after his Presidency? According to the articles, Lincoln ruined our country with his warmonger ideology (sound familiar).
John Galt
October 9th, 2010
8:27 pm
@ Real Athens-
I assume from your screen name that you are in the university community; if you want to step out here in the real world you will find that the beneficiaries of Bush’s tax cuts were not just the “uber rich”. You are entitled to your opinion but not your own facts. In this economy, many of the rich are among those most hurt- that is why they are not creating jobs for the middle class right now.
If these tax cuts were so bad, can you tell me why the democrats lack the courage to renew all of the cuts EXCEPT on the top bracket? They have the votes in both chambers of Congress and the White House- they don’t need a SINGLE GOP vote to do it, but they whine about the GOP’s refusal to cooperate. They know it is counter-productive but they want to share the blame. Why won’t they show their wisdom and courage and do it before the elections?
These “uber rich” make the gears of our economy work, and they either CAN’T invest in new jobs or are afraid to do so while the party in power is fighting an undeclared war against the producers.
The “corporate lackey” had his shares of flaws but he knew that poor people and government don’t produce useful employment. What has Obama’s stimulus done for employment? (I know, it has “saved” jobs).
People in the real world also understand that the objective of re-starting the economy is secondary to the democrats to the real objective of redistributing wealth and consolidating power. Thankfully, I think that the majority of americans have realized this and the moochers are not motivated, so the reigns of power are about to shift back to the lesser of the two evils.
Virginia
October 9th, 2010
8:36 pm
Jimmy Carter is as entitled to express his opinion as your are, John Galt. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith……”. If there is a man of greater faith than Jimmy Carter that ever led this country, I would like for you to name him. And don’t get me started on “publicans praying on street corners”! That is what too many “born-again” Christians do, they wear it on their T-shirts, on their handbags, on their jewelry…..but they don’t LIVE it! They don’t “love your neighbor as yourself”, they don’t help the least among us, they do NOT LIVE their faith-they advertise it, and use their faux-faith to manipulate others, ala Glenn Beck. We are saved by faith and grace, not works. But good works after spiritual rebirth demonstrates true faith. And Mr. Carter has demonstrated true faith by his words and his deeds.
Will Jones - Atlanta Jeffersonian Exegesis
October 9th, 2010
8:39 pm
Bush1 and Nixon assassinated JFK six weeks after his NSAM263 ordered our military withdrawal as catspaw for the 5% drug dealing Roman Catholic elite of Vietnam. ‘Hunt v. Marchetti’ is established U.S. law only anarchists, Roman Catholics, and other traitors dispute: the Federal District Court Jury determined E. Howard Hunt and the Roman Catholic Knight of Malta-led CIA assassinated Our President. Look it up. Carter was either stupid, complicit or craven…not qualifications for POTUS or Patriot.
Real Athens
October 9th, 2010
8:43 pm
John Galt:
I live in the real world.
I do not work for the University or the Government. I’m not talking about tax cuts either. I simply stated that George W. Bush started two wars and did not raise taxes — the first president in history to do so.
Get off your soapbox.
Using your theory of trickle-down, post-Keynesian economic theory, we should be doing fine after 8 years of low taxes under GWB. It doesn’t work. Ask David Stockman. The rich in this country don’t create jobs, they invest.
http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-09-14/america-s-wealthy-save-tax-cuts-rather-than-spend-moody-s-says.html
FYI: In 2010 federal tax rates were the lowest they’d been since 1952 — but hey, don’t let facts get in the way of a good argument.
Virginia
October 9th, 2010
8:44 pm
The “uber-rich” have done nothing to help our economy during the past decade when they have had their precious tax cuts, td and John Galt! They created no jobs, they contributed nothing. They banked their money and will continue to do so if these tax cuts are extended! You can keep repeating that “tax cuts for the wealthy create jobs”, but it’s not true and you KNOW it’s not true!! More propaganda from those who WISH they were in that top 2 percent!!!
Virginia
October 9th, 2010
8:49 pm
Will Jones: How could Jimmy Carter possibly have had anything to do with the assassination of our great president John F. Kennedy? Look at the time frame! Stop inhaling, man!!
John Galt
October 9th, 2010
9:10 pm
Real Athens-
I am exercising restraint by not questioning your intelligence with an unflattering term- where in heaven’s name do you think “invested” funds go? Your lack of common sense disqualifies you from further response from me after this post. I also declare you a liar when you deny that you are not related to the university; you are just too excited by the ability to write “trickle-down, post-Keynesian” in a sentence.
I also missed where you played a trump card regarding tax rates- I never said that they were or were not historically low. Raising rates in a recession cannot help, but our problem is not revenue, but spending. Most of this is due to our entitlement culture, but much is also due to military expenditures. If we had been pumping Iraqi oil into our tankers to pay for saving their butts, that would be less of a factor. GWB missed that opportunity.
Liberal social engineering to extend home ownership to those who can’t afford it, using the government instead of the free market to determine who owns and who rents, and the resultant housing bubble, was in my opinion the largest domino in the recent economic collapse.
And dear Virginia, bless your little heart-
I won’t debate the state of Carter’s soul, I have no way to know. I just know he is arrogant and uncouth, and was a monumental failure as a President; he was just in way over his head. And as far as the rich banking their money, if you think that “creating jobs” means driving to the Greyhound bus station and hiring the folks yourself, you are embarassingly unaware of how business and industry, and the banking system works. That may explain some of your inane views. Ignorance, when displayed publicly, is sometimes embarassing. Bless your heart.
Sleep wel, sweetie.
John Galt
October 9th, 2010
9:13 pm
I am still wondering why the Democrats won’t reverse the tax cuts on the rich while they have both houses of Congress and the White House…….
rooster
October 9th, 2010
9:21 pm
A lot of you Carter bashers are too lazy to research the facts and too stupid to understand them.
Will Jones - Atlanta Jeffersonian Exegesis
October 9th, 2010
9:42 pm
Perhaps a Reading Comprehension course would be in order, “Virginia.”
Virginia
October 9th, 2010
9:46 pm
@John Galt: Don’t talk down to me,Pompous A**! I will admit I don’t have a clue what you mean when you say “driving to the bus station is creating jobs”! WTH? I don’t drive to the bus station and hire folks, I go through small business owners – preferably local – to have work done at my home. That does not change the fact that the top income earners who have derived the greatest benefit from the Bush tax cuts have not created jobs and they have no intention of creating jobs in the future if the tax cuts are extended. Also does not change my view that you WISH you were one of those folks, but sadly you are probably way down the ladder and just too ignorant to vote for, instead of against, your own interests! I am not embarrassed by my views, however, I am embarrassed by some of the statements you have made. I guess ignorance must truly be bliss for some folks!! Bless your heart, and you sleep well Mr. Bunker.
Virginia
October 9th, 2010
9:47 pm
Okay, ’splain it, Will Jones – IF you can!
Will Jones - Atlanta Jeffersonian Exegesis
October 9th, 2010
9:54 pm
Looks like I’ve been censored, “Virginia.” You’re welcome to search my blog at theamericanfundamentdotblogspotdotcom
Virginia
October 9th, 2010
10:05 pm
@Will Jones: No thanks, not much for conspiracy theories and you seem to roll that way. BTW, you won’t be censored if you keep it clean……..just saying.
Also, judging by your post of:
Will Jones – Atlanta Jeffersonian Exegesis
October 9th, 2010
8:39 pm
Seems like you could use a course in Writing that’s Comprehensible.
Virginia
October 9th, 2010
10:10 pm
Hey, Will Jones: The site you posted does not exist anyway. Do you?
Real Athens
October 9th, 2010
10:11 pm
John Galt makes declarations about what is true and not. Declarations that are completely baseless in fact– exactly like the hero of Atlas Shrugged whose name he’s taken. A character, in a novel, written by a paranoid schizophrenic who used methamphetamine daily for 28 years.
I created 6 jobs (so far) in 2010 at the company that I own.
And you? What’s going on in your mom’s basement these days?
Who Cares?
October 9th, 2010
10:14 pm
Well, Jimmy didn’t leave much of an impression, but boy, do we miss Billy!
Virginia
October 9th, 2010
10:33 pm
Sorry, Will Jones, I typed it in wrong. Yes, it does exist – guess you do too!! My bad.
frinkie
October 9th, 2010
11:05 pm
Jimmy Buchanan was the worst. Period.
Flash
October 9th, 2010
11:56 pm
Has anyone ever noticed that when Last Man starts spouting his nonsense, td is not far behind. Just fess up and admit you are one person spouting enough nonsense for two people. If you have something relevant to say, please do.
Dirty Dawg
October 10th, 2010
12:20 am
Hey Last Man Standing…surely you know about Reagan’s, Gee-H-Dubya’s and William Casay’s undermining of Carter’s efforts to have the hostages released in ‘80. That’s the triumvirate that
provided weapons to Iran in return for ‘not’ releasing the hostages – all negotiated through CIA operatives that didn’t care of Carter’s efforts to keep them from their criminal activities and it was their response to make sure there was no ‘October Surprise’…the surprise was on us and on the hostages…they had to remain hostages so RR could win an election. It had nothing to do with them being afraid of Reagan, why would they be? They were already in receipt of missiles and assured of plenty more military spare parts and other hardware (ironically through Israel) for planes and tanks that we had given them when ‘our boy’ The Shah was in power.
Jimmy’s problem was that he didn’t want to subject the country to another Republican fiasco that would potentially threaten the very existence of the USA by revealing the truth about the thugs that were about to take office. Of course folks like you Last Man, probably cheer the thought of breaking laws and trading with the enemy if it means your people regain power.
By the way Last Man Standing…if I were there with you, you wouldn’t be.
carter is a fool
October 10th, 2010
12:44 am
Dirty dog has been smoking something that has affected the brain cells. A weak ineffective president who huddled in fear confined to the prison of his own making – the white house. This was Carter at his truest form. Too weak to take any action until too late and then he sent an ill prepared rescue mission that was under supplied and doomed to fail.