Carter and Bush
First of all long term readers of this blog know that I personally disagree with the Bush administration on many topics (borders, government spending, expanded Education department, and warrentless searches just to name a few). Even with those disagreements, Bush has always looked better to me personally then either John F Kerry or Al Gore, so my votes for Bush have always been for the less weak of two what I considered weak candidates.
Now on to Carter. Jimmy Carter and his work for Habitat for Humanity may be the best use of former presidential power ever. I think Carter is a man of his values, though I think he is far too close to too many dictators. He is a guy whose heart seems to be in the right place, but his actions seem to play out badly at times. At least that is my view of the man.
Moving on, for Carter - the author of stagflation, a national malaise, a failed foreign policy, a year and a half hostage situation in Iran, … - to talk about anyone’s failings when it comes to policy (be it domestic or foreign) is just flawed. The great thing about this country though is that former President Carter has EVERY right to say what he wants.
If Jimmy Carters wants to say that the Bush administration is the worst ever is fine with me, let society and citizens determine if they consider his views to be worthwhile or not. History will not judge Carters administration well, history’s view of Bush will depend on how the next 10 years plays out in the middle east.
Personally, I think that all former presidents should carefully chose their words. I believe this because anything said by a former leader of the free world will be echoed throughout the world. Bottomline, I fully support former Presidents Carters to say what he feels, I would just have hoped that he would have said it a bit different. I would have felt the same way if George Bush the first had said President Clinton’s personal life disgraced the office of president. You may think that if you are the former president, but you need not always say it that way. You can always take the high road and say “Well that is not how I would have done it and the president is on a path I disagree with, but it is his ship to right, etc).
That great thing about America is that former President Carter can and should be able to say what he wants without worrying about an attack on his life, or a political death squad, etc. To me the fact that we allow and tolerate people that fail at things to continue to comment on the failures and missteps of others is one of the strongest parts of our society as we do not require a person to have personal success to make a statement or to hold a opinion on a issue.
This statement will pass in a few weeks I think. In time history, not current pundits on either side, will truly determine how both the Carter and the Bush administration are judged long terms.
