posted on July 25, 2001 08:54:00 AM new
PLAINS, Ga., July 24 -- In a rare instance of a former president criticizing a current one, Jimmy Carter is taking issue with just about
everything George W. Bush has done in office.
Carter criticized Bush for not pressuring Israel to withdraw from the Gaza Strip, for threatening to abandon the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty and for not supporting human rights more strongly.
He was also critical of Bush for not calling for the removal of Israeli settlements on the West Bank. "George Sr. took a strong position on that issue, and so did I," Carter said.
Carter said Bush has ignored moderates in both parties and calls Bush's proposed missile defense shield a "technologically ridiculous" idea that will "re-escalate the nuclear arms race."
"I have been disappointed in almost everything he has done," Carter told the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer in an interview last week at his home in Plains.
Asked to comment, White House spokesman Scott McClellan said: "President Bush is just returning from successful, productive meetings with European leaders, including a meeting with Mr. Putin where significant progress was made toward implementing new strategic framework that meets the threats of the 21st century. The president is looking forward and continuing to build upon the bipartisan progress we are making to achieve meaningful and real results for the American people." (smirk)
Carter also was critical of President Bill Clinton during the fellow Democrat's administration, calling the Monica S. Lewinsky scandal an embarrassment and disparaging Clinton's policy in North Korea and Haiti.
Carter is "a guy with strong views," said presidential scholar Charles Jones of the University of Wisconsin. "What surprises me is [this is] a kind of a sweeping critical analysis, at what has to be said is an early stage."
Carter said he had volunteered to be one of the few Democrats at Bush's inauguration because he was optimistic about the administration. "I hoped that coming out of an uncertain election, he would reach out to people of diverse views -- not just Democrats and Republicans, but others who had different points of view," Carter said. "I thought he would be a moderate leader, but he has been very strictly conforming to some of the more conservative members of his administration, his vice president and his secretary of defense in particular."
posted on July 25, 2001 09:20:29 AM new
What a contrast. Carter's got a degree in Nuclear Engineering. W probably thinks an electron is the guy who watches the ballot box. Carter's out creating housing for people. W thinks if we can find a system of putting street addresses on discarded appliance boxes it'll eliminate homelessnes.
-gaffan-
posted on July 25, 2001 09:30:13 AM new
It is, indeed, very unusual for President Carter, for whom I have a lot of respect, to publically criticize another administration's actions, or lack thereof.
Not that he would ever say so publically, I have wondered if the private Colin Powell isn't a little sorry he agreed to be part of this administration.
Personally, I never saw him as part of this team, and was surprised when he took the position.
posted on July 25, 2001 09:39:43 AM new
Do you get a sense that Colin Powell is becoming increasingly frustrated? I do, but I couldn't put my finger on why yet. He isn't a person to hold back forever though and if he resigns it'll be for pretty monumental reasons that the press will be left to guess at.
I have always thought that it was odd that both he and Norman resigned their commissions and retired right after desert storm. Neither said very much about it
posted on July 25, 2001 09:42:31 AM new
I, too, have a great deal of respect for Jimmy Carter. He is probably as frustrated as many other Americans are.
posted on July 25, 2001 10:01:46 AM new
A little off-topic, sorry, but I was just listening to NPR and an-already-started interview had a guest speaker FOR bush's Faith-Based Coalition...The guy representing the Coalition had the nerve to state that he was so impressed with his prez, because so far, he had not broken a single promise......HELLO!!!!!
Thank goodness, the person replying said totally the opposite. That person pretty much let it be understood also, that bush's entire cabinet was bought, because, in 40 years that this man has been covering news from the Hill, he had NEVER seen so many, quickly-approved appointments, in all major Cabinets...Nearly passing approval like one passes out candy...
Yes, I doubt Collin had any idea what he was in for...
******** Gosh Shosh! My "About Me" Page
posted on July 25, 2001 11:28:06 AM new
Bush would do well to carefully listen to Carter's advice and do the exact opposite. A sure recipe for a successful presidency.
posted on July 25, 2001 12:59:19 PM new
I have the highest respect for Former President Carter, he was and remains to be the most honest President of all time!! He was to honest for the job. That's exactly why he didn't get elected president the 2nd time! He couldn't be bought and did as his heart on soul told him, not what all the cronies and big wigs wanted. Beside being to gentle and caring, his policies were really geared to help the average man and the poor, not just the few rich and powerful contributors.
People should have know what kind of president W would make, he is dumber than his father!! (Whom I voted for, big mistake!!)
posted on July 25, 2001 01:16:15 PM new
Carter has been an exceptional ex-President. He has filled the role of Elder Statesman and has accomplished much for the world and the US since leaving office. I am happy to hear him speak out. I, too, feel Powell will not last. He is a man of priciples and will not be able to tolerate the quagmire of ignorance he has found himself. My son-in-law works in the State Department and Powell is much admired. They also find our President to be an embarrassment.
posted on July 25, 2001 01:22:00 PM new
Powell is no idiot and he's no saint. He knows exactly which administration he is working for and he knew it going in and he is currently there to add a line to his resume, same as all the other cabinet megalomaniacs.
posted on July 25, 2001 01:38:31 PM newRare???? Your article also said, "Carter also was critical
of Bill Clinton during his fellow democrat's administration calling the Monica Lewinsky scandal an embarrassment and disparaging Clinton's policy in North Korea & Haiti." So...Carter's a equal opportunity criticizer (new word). I'd be surprised if any democrat agreed with most of a republicans policies.
I agree with jfpnati on President
Carter being a very honest president, and margot statement on him as an ex-president.
[ edited by Linda_K on Jul 25, 2001 01:40 PM ]
posted on July 25, 2001 02:15:09 PM new"So...Carter's a equal opportunity criticizer (new word). I'd be surprised if any democrat agreed with most of a republicans policies."
The word critic does the job nicely
I agree that you think you would be surprized that Democrats are open-minded enough to consider Republican's positions -- they are. Unlike Republicans, whose minds are traditionally closed and narrowly-focused on the extreme right. It must be unimaginable for you.
posted on July 25, 2001 02:16:36 PM new
That's called "triangulation", Borillar. In other words, the ability to steal your opponents ideas if they are popular even when they are ideologically problematic.
[ edited by jamesoblivion on Jul 25, 2001 02:17 PM ]
posted on July 25, 2001 05:33:56 PM new
"I have been disappointed in almost everything he has done," Carter told the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer in an interview last week at his home in Plains."
Carter should be disappointed in everything he has done...not "almost everything".
posted on July 25, 2001 06:19:15 PM new
Not only is the man a navel officer and nuclear engineer, a carpenter and a furniture maker but also a businessman in a multimillion dollar seed peanut business. Any ONE of those would be a fair accomplishment for most people without taking a stab at the presidency. The man has at least 6 careers under his belt.
posted on July 25, 2001 06:56:28 PM newFrom my understanding he was elected because Ford pardoned Nixon.
I believe your right. And the country got what it wanted, an honest man. Trouble was we need someone who is slick because thats a good leadership quality.
Carter wasn't slick, but neither is Bush. And Bush ain't half as smart as Carter was. (well, maybe half)
Who Need's a stink'n Sig. File?
[ edited by Microbes on Jul 25, 2001 06:57 PM ]
