by Mark Silva
It's fitting that James Earl Carter, Jr., born 85 years ago today, has dedicated more space in his newly remodeled presidential museum to his time since leaving the White House than any other presidential library devotes to post-presidential years.
For one thing, it's been nearly 30 years since Carter left office, after serving but one term in the late 1970s. Former President George W. Bush, who celebrated his 85th with another tandem skydive with the Golden Knights, has been a retiree for little more than half the time that Carter has been.
And for another thing, the presidency remembered largely for bad economic times -- and "the misery index'' -- and for a hostage crisis in Iran and a botched rescue mission, a presidency which paved the way for the Reagan revolution, probably doesn't hold all that much that museum-goers might want to see.
But certainly, Carter's post-presidential years, be it ihs work with Habitat for Humanity, his international election monitoring, his dealings with Hamas in an attempt to break the logjam of Middle East peace-talks or, more recently, his commentary on the motivation behind some of the most severe criticism for President Barack Obama -- the suggestion that some people simply cannot accept a black man in the Wjite House -- have carved more of a profile in the modern-day perception of the 39th president of the United States.
Carter celebrates his 85th birthday ttoday with the reopening of his presidential library.in Atlanta after a $10 million overhaul. It now devotes more space than any other presidential library to a commander-in-chief's time spent after the White House. About one third of the museum first opened 23 years ago explores the Georgia Democrat's life after office.
Carter says he wants visitors to "get an insight on what a former president might do when they're involuntarily retired from the White House four years before they anticipated."
And there's a good chance that Carter may have a few more things to say today for which, for better or worse, he will be rememberd. The former president sits for an interview with CNN's Candy Crowley that airs at 8 am EDT today. Watch the headlines.
Comments
I do believe history will look favorably on our 39th President, Mr. Carter. For several reasons, least of which, he didn't appease Iran. That millstone was left for President Reagan and his administration. Arms-for-Hostages was the tag for this Reagan initiative. That is how President Reagan earned the moniker, The Great Appeaser.
One of President Carters' talents was to see, state and act on the dependency of foreign oil, America had developed. Going so far, as to create the Department of Energy. One of several departments that the Republican-Libertarians have tried to gut, in one way or another, for decades. Not unlike what they continue to do with the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
I can go on reciting former President Carter's contributions to America, but I will leave those for others, who appreciated Mr. Carter's term as our President. Suffice it to say, Mr. Carter helped America towards achieving her goals, in many ways, during his term in Office. May he and his family, continue to enjoy their retirement, if you can call it, that.
Happy Birthday, Mr. Carter, 39th President of the United States of America.
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, IL | October 1, 2009 7:54 AM
Jimmy Carter is an honest man whom I believe would be a great neighbor.
I also believe he was the worst President the United States ever had. It was during his four years in the White House we experienced the worst inflation in my 65 years and his policies created foreign policy set backs that we are still trying to address.
Posted by: Pat H | October 1, 2009 7:55 AM
Its true you have done many good things in your long life. That said you need to take a long vacation now especially from politics. It would be
nice if you stuck to building homes.
Posted by: Paul | October 1, 2009 8:44 AM
The worst president ever also is the worst ex-president ever. His election watching, Mark? He has "watched" and approved elections in countries like Venezuela and other places where it was commonly known that massive fraud took place, but somehow the Fumbling Idiot could not see.
This guy was an embarrassment as president and beyond an embarrassment as ex-president. He is clueless, naive, ignorant, idiotic, shameful, ridiculous.
Posted by: John D | October 1, 2009 9:00 AM
My,my,my...surprising how the Carter years reflect the current chaos in the Obama WH and their inept failed policies. Yep, another one-termer. And Mark, can you believe it...Sarah"s book, not even out yet, and a best seller, soon to be number one! Folks sure are flocking to pick up all that down--home, insightful magic that is not full of lefty, liberal socialist cow dung. Ah, must be just a ole' fashion rejection and backlash against partisan demonizing from the biased media, press and those capitalists in la la land. Wonder why they ever thought they would be taken seriously again after their Obama lovefest helped bring us Carter II.
Posted by: bubba Porter | October 1, 2009 9:51 AM
Little Johnny D,
Jimmy Carter is an embarassing President because he didn't give dangerous weapons to Iranian terrorists like your hero Ronald Reagan?
PS Why do you treat veterans so shamefully?
Posted by: janet | October 1, 2009 10:52 AM
Sarah"s book, not even out yet, and a best seller, soon to be number one! Folks sure are flocking to pick up all that down--home, insightful magic that is not full of lefty, liberal socialist cow dung.
Posted by: bubba Porter | October 1, 2009 9:51 AM
Maybe we could get a few more politicians elected by the people to "quit" so they can persue more money. There is nothing like a quiter to rev people up.
Posted by: bill r. | October 1, 2009 11:15 AM
Jimmah Cartah, please just go away.
MAKE DUMB POSTS! MAKE THEM OFTEN! DO THAT INSTEAD OF GETTING A JOB!
Posted by: Jeff | October 1, 2009 1:20 PM
Maybe we could get a few more politicians elected by the people to "quit" so they can persue more money. There is nothing like a quiter to rev people up.
Posted by: bill r. | October 1, 2009 11:15 AM
Good point, look how fired up the Obamabots were for the fool currently in the white house. He quit being a senator as soon as he was elected.
Posted by: Hans | October 1, 2009 1:26 PM
Jimmy is sure a lot more boisterious and outgoing the past few years.
The boost in self esteem is probably due to now being only the second worst president of the past 50 years.
But Jimmy, you're still the worst one termer. Now go fetch me some peanuts.
Posted by: Mr Indie | October 1, 2009 1:34 PM
John D,
And what do you think the chances will be of your boy W picking up a Nobel Prize anytime soon?
Posted by: Kenny Bunkport | October 1, 2009 3:10 PM
Let's not forget President Carter's bold initiative to be the first to bring together Egypt's Anwar Sadat and Israel's Menachim Begin to discuss peace in the Middle East. John D.: Carter goes to countries to monitor elections such that every citizen exercises the right to vote--not to steer elections, as the Bush Admin. had done with Pres. Kharzai of Afghanistan. It's a noble cause for Carter, a man from the DEEP SOUTH who over the years has seen more than his share of citizens disenfranchised.
Posted by: Marthastew | October 1, 2009 4:45 PM
I love the silliness the Republican-Libertarians exhibit whenever President Carter's name is mentioned. "Me thinks thou dost protest too much !!" What are they afraid of, that they must get so whacked out, whenever President Carter's name is mentioned. Is it, when Mr. Carter's presidency is compare to say, Ronnie Raygun's years of incompetency, their embarrassment is such, that they must shake their rattles, pout and stomp their feet. All in the name of a distraction. Very good, boys and girls, but it is history that will determine whose presidency was the most productive and the fairest, not the readers of this blog. As I said above, I do believe history will look very favorably on Mr. Carter's presidency. Even though Mr. Carter was a rocket scientist, Ronnie Raygun and Bush&Cheney supporters proved, that should not prevent anyone from being our President !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, IL | October 1, 2009 4:55 PM
“Maybe we could get a few more politicians elected by the people to "quit" so they can persue (sic) more money. There is nothing like a quiter (sic) to rev people up.”
.
Posted by: bill r. | October 1, 2009 11:15 AM
.
You’re absolutely right, bill. Nothing would rev me up more than to hear that Obama, Biden, Pelosi, Reid, Murtha, Frank, Waters, McCain, Judd or Graham had resigned. With each such announcement, I would know that this country was safer and saner.
Posted by: John W. | October 1, 2009 5:16 PM
Everyone knows by now what "W" stands for:
WORST PRESIDENT EVER.
That would be George W.
Close second:
George H.W.
Bailed on his crew.
Posted by: ornery | October 1, 2009 9:00 PM
KB,
The Noble Prize committee gave AlGore a Nobel in SCIENCE. They have lost credibility.
FITZ,
So far in the 39 years of history since the Carter presdency has ended, history has not looked favorable upon Mr. Peanuthead. He left the countries foreign policy and military in a shambles. The economy was an absolute wreck - worse than today's.
Think of everything that happened during the Carter administration when it came to foreign policy - Iran Hostage Crisis, Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, and Communist infiltration in Central America. He did absolutely nothing on this.
As for the economy, the invention of the misery index says it all. Check the inflation rates, interest rates, and unemployment rates while Carter was in office.
Posted by: Terry | October 1, 2009 10:05 PM
T,
Re Gore:
"His strong commitment, reflected in political activity, lectures, films and books, has strengthened the struggle against climate change," the Nobel citation said. "He is probably the single individual who has done most to create greater worldwide understanding of the measures that need to be adopted."
By the way, it's NOBEL. By the way, it was the PEACE prize. By the way, you know nothing about credibility.
Posted by: Kenny Bunkport | October 2, 2009 8:04 AM
Geez, " Ferry ", can't you at least get your adding and subtracting, correct. President Carter's years in office, were from 1977-1981. How you get 39 years since President Carter's term, from those years is a real accomplishment. You, like President Carter, must be a physicist, who seem to have a special way with numbers. Otherwise, it may be that elitist education you, Republican-Libertarians, receive upon initiation, into the inner sanctum, aka: Liars circle !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, IL | October 2, 2009 8:17 AM
FITZ,
My math is fine, it's my typing that sucks.
Posted by: Terry | October 2, 2009 10:39 PM