Carter Praises Obama But Won't Endorse

Carter Praises Obama But Won't Endorse
by howardpark
Tue Jan 29, 2008 at 05:11:00 PM PST

A Wall Street Journal Online report indicates that former President Jimmy Carter has a lot of praise for Barack Obama but he won't formally endorse anybody.


The link to the WSJ story is: http://online.wsj.com/...
http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB120164702395826651-lMyQjAxMDI4MDIxOTYyNDk3Wj.html

According to the Journal: "Obama's campaign has been extraordinary and titillating for me and my family," Mr. Carter said. The 83-year-old former president, who left the White House in 1981, compared Mr. Obama's speeches to those of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and said he believed the candidate could carry some southern states if he becomes the Democratic nominee."

It sure sounds like Carter agrees with his old rival, Ted Kennedy. It's interesting that Carter mentions that all but one of his over 20 children & grandchildren support Obama -- a lot like the well-reported story that Caroline Kennedy's three teen aged kids were a big factor in her endorsement. Are politicians' children a new swing voter bloc?

I had a chance to talk to Carter, briefly, in Plains, GA back in September. He indicated that he had made a choice but declined to go any further. Carter has a well justified reputation for good works and for being above the political fray but he talks keenly about politics and I suspect that part of him still misses the campaign trail. Carter has harshly criticized Bush administration policies. At a dinner speech last September, Carter reminisced about the 1976 campaign and said that he did not think a candidate like Carter circa 1976 could win under the current front loaded nominating system and its fundraising pressures. I'm not sure I agree and this year it seems to me that campaign cash is overrated. Of course, Carter has a lot less nostalga for the 1980 campaign!

more at:
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/1/29/195633/739/730/445743

His opinion matters to me. (And Gore's does too.)

“I can say without equivocation that no one who is running for president has presented anywhere near as comprehensive and accurate a prediction of what our country ought to do in the field of environmental quality, in the field of health care for those who are not presently insured, for those who struggle with poverty,” Carter said.

He predicted that Edwards “has a very good chance to do well” in the presidential race.

Carter told The Associated Press afterward that it was too soon to make an endorsement in the 2008 race and that his comments were not meant as a criticism of other Democrats.

“I think he is a very appealing candidate, especially for rural voters here,” Carter said.

http://politicalchase.com/2007/08/29/jimmy-carter-praises-john-edwards/

he has done more in his life after his presidency than all but a few have during their`s. he does`t deserve what he would receive if he endorsed a candidate. i think he would be satisfied with any democratic candidate taking back our country.