Jimmy Carter's View of Kennedy Through His Diaries

It's tough to be a president. Former President Jimmy Carter speaks his truth:

Carter Brings Home American Held Captive in North Korea Video

Former President Jimmy Carter brings home Aijalon Mahli Gomes:

Rush Limbaugh: Michelle Obama Uhhhhhhhh Garden

This is Jamie Gangel's part 2 with Rush (see part 1 here). "Look what I have spawned," he said. Rush says Glenn Beck is the result of his success. Rush actually made me laugh this morning. The best part was his word association for Michelle Obama. He's harmless except for the fact that everyone listens to him and everyone is afraid of him.

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This reaction by Al Sharpton only puts more wind in Rush's sails. He'll probably go out now and try and buy up more NFL teams. You can't ban someone from owning a football team. It's a football team.

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Same Old Filthy Racism From GOP

Ah, yes. George Herbert reminds us that the GOP has not only exploited racist fears in others, but also perpetrated racism. Herbert asks if it's too much to ask the GOP leadership to denounce racism. Probably, yes. But we need to condemn it and call it what it is. This is just a small sampling:

More than three decades later we have Sherri Goforth, an aide to a Republican state senator in Tennessee sending out a mass e-mail of a cartoon showing dignified portraits of the first 43 presidents, and then representing the 44th — President Obama — as a spook, a cartoonish pair of white eyes against a black background.

When a gorilla escaped from a zoo in Columbia, S.C., a longtime Republican activist, Rusty DePass, described it on his Facebook page as one of Michelle Obama’s ancestors.

Among the posters at last weekend’s gathering of conservative protesters in Washington was one that said, “The zoo has an African lion and the White House has a lyin’ African.”

These are bits and pieces of an increasingly unrestrained manifestation of racism directed toward Mr. Obama that is being fed by hate-mongers on talk radio and is widely tolerated, if not encouraged, by Republican Party leaders. It’s disgusting, and it’s dangerous. But it’s the same old filthy racism that has been there all along and that has been exploited by the G.O.P. since the 1960s.

I have no patience with those who want to pretend that racism is not an out-and-out big deal in the United States, as it always has been. We may have made progress, and we may have a black president, but the scourge is still with us. And if you needed Jimmy Carter to remind you of that, then you’ve been wandering around with your eyes closed.

Glenn Beck, one of the moronic maestros of right-wing radio and TV, assures us that President Obama “has a deep-seated hatred for white people.” Some years ago, as the watchdog group Media Matters for America points out on its Web site, Beck said he’d like to beat Representative Charles Rangel “to death with a shovel.” More at NYT

Tim Wise is correct. Obama can't address racism but we can. We must.

Carter Urges Party Leaders to Condemn Racism

Jimmy Carter has it exactly right. Racism, when it flares up, must be condemned. Fat chance the republicans will do any condemning. John McCain is the only one that I've seen do any kind of condemning. The GOP has practically embraced the fringe, insisting that charges of racism are only a liberal ploy for healthcare reform. As if. How stupid is that?

Republicans are dead wrong on this one. Frankly, I'm tired of this whole debate. There is no debate. Not all the opposition is racist, but a fringe element is, and they should always be called out for being rotten cowards.

Carter Says Race is Playing Role in Opposition to Obama

Yay for Jimmy Carter! Anybody with any sense can see what's going on. It's nice to hear a former president from the South speak out:

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Will Lebanese Vote Hezbollah to Power?

Update June 8: Hezbolloah defeated.

Others, cynical about politicians, are at the beach (vide0). Lebanon is a beautiful place, that's for sure.
It's Hezbollah, favored by Iran, vs. the Western-backed ruling party:

Wafaa Awad walked out of a polling station in the Hezbollah stronghold of Ghobeiri proud to have cast her vote in Lebanon's parliamentary election on Sunday for the Iran-backed Shiite militant movement.

Christian voters on the other side of town said they voted for the Western-backed ruling majority to preserve Lebanese freedoms and ensure the country does not tilt towards Iran.

"I voted for Hezbollah because they protected Lebanon from Israeli occupation," said Awad, a housewife wearing a veil and a long dark overcoat in keeping with the Islamic dress code.

A few blocks aways, Sabrine Awdeh, a blonde woman wearing jeans and a light summer blouse also said she voted for Hezbollah, "because I want change and the current ruling majority has done nothing in the past four years."

The fiercely contested general election could see an alliance led by Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran and Syria, unseat the ruling Western-backed majority which is also supported by regional powerbroker Saudi Arabia. Read more.

Apparently, Christian voters, torn between the two, will be the deciders:

But Christians are the kingmakers of the vote.
Lebanon's Christian neighbourhoods are divided between the two main groups - it is this Christian choice that will sway the vote. BBC

Jimmy Carter says the results of the election should be accepted:

"I don't have any concerns over the conduct of the elections. I have concerns over the acceptance of the results by all the major parties," Mr Carter said at a polling station in Beirut.
"We also hope that the United States and Iran and Saudi Arabia and other countries will also accept the results of the election and not try to interfere in the process," he added. BBC

All The Presidents Lunch

Obama called a meeting today with Presidents Bush, GHWB, Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton. What did they talk about? I don't know. I'll add more later.

George says he wants Obama to succeed:

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Citizens Joining Obama on Whistle Stop Tour

Today, Obama meets with past presidents and tomorrow, he'll give an economic speech. In a few minutes, he's holding a press conference.
Then there's this:

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the 2009 Presidential Inaugural Committee announced that a group of everyday Americans has been invited by President-elect Obama and Vice President-elect Biden to join them on the Whistle Stop Tour to Washington, D.C. the Saturday before the Inauguration.

These everyday Americans from all walks of life have made extraordinary contributions to the life of this country - the worker who became a champion for workers’ rights, the soldier who became an advocate for servicemen and women suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder; those who have lost their jobs and struggle bravely to cope in economic turmoil, and those who work tirelessly to make real the dream of a better future for their children.

“Each one of these families has their own remarkable story to add to our American story, and we’re thrilled they’ve agreed to join us as we travel to Washington,“ said Josh Earnest, PIC Communications Director.

The invited guests include the following: Mark Dowell, Crestwood, KY; Matt Kuntz, Helena, MT; Jim and Alicia Girardeau, Kansas City, MO; Juliana Sanchez, Albuquerque, NM; Rosa Mendoza, Las Vegas, NV; Lisa Hazirjian, Cleveland, OH; Kirsten Meehan, Dover, NH; Roy Gross, Taylor, MI; Shandra Jackson, Arlington, TX; Quincy Lucas, Dover, DE; Patricia Stiles, Parker, CO; Gregg Weaver, Fairless Hills, PA; Tony Fischer, Cinncinati, OH; Lilly Ledbetter, Jacksonville, AL; Mike and Cheryl Fisher, Beech Grove, IN; and Randy Wehrman, LeClair, IA.

The PIC previously announced details of the Whistle Stop Tour. In the tradition of past Presidents-elect, there will be a series of events open to the public as the First and Second families make their way to the nation’s capital. The group of Americans traveling with the Obamas and Bidens will also appear on stage with them at the public events.

In keeping with the theme of the 2009 Inauguration, “Renewing America’s Promise,“ the President-elect and Vice President-elect will hold events in some of the cities instrumental to that promise: Philadelphia, where that promise was realized; Baltimore, where that promise was defended, then immortalized in our national anthem; and Washington, where Americans of all backgrounds will gather over four days, united in common purpose and resolved to renew that promise once more.

Saturday morning, January 17th, President-elect Obama and his family will hold an event in Philadelphia before boarding a train for Wilmington, Delaware, where they will be joined by Vice President-elect Biden and his family. Together, the families will travel to Baltimore and hold another event, before finally arriving in Washington, D.C.

For the latest information on the 2009 Presidential Inauguration, please visit www.pic2009.org.

Obama and Bush to Meet Again in January

Update: The White house says the meeting will take place Jan. 7 with Carter, GWHB, Clinton, Bush and Obama.
Original post: 

That's according to CNN. I'd love to sit in on that meeting. I see this as a symbolic message to the world that says the US isn't sinking into a tar pit, because former presidents, republican and democrats, are working together. I'm sure there will be big photo ops.

CNN has learned that President-elect Barack Obama and President Bush have privately agreed to try and come together again in January for a second post-election meeting at the White House, but this time they're inviting the three living former presidents as well.

Two sources familiar with the plans tell CNN that at their first post-election meeting in the Oval Office on Nov. 10, Obama proposed that the two men get together again before the inaugural along with former presidents Jimmy Carter, George Herbert Walker Bush and Bill Clinton.

Carter First to Say No to Hillary Vice President

obama's being squeezed and democratic party leaders are slow to rally but finally, at least one is stepping up, jimmy carter.

obama doesn't need hillary to win. that's not a reason to choose a vice president. in the end, it's about who can work with obama to make the country better. hillary has shown that she can dominate even when she loses. not a good idea to have her as second in command. i think she'd better serve in another position in obama's administration.

cnn: A host of prominent Democrats are pushing for an Obama-Clinton unity ticket — but Jimmy Carter isn't one of them.

The former president, who publicly endorsed Barack Obama shortly before polls closed Tuesday in the final two primary states, told a London newspaper that a joint ticket between the two former rivals would be "the worst mistake that could be made."

"That would just accumulate the negative aspects of both candidates," Carter told the Guardian, saying that both candidates' vulnerabilities could overshadow that the ticket if the two team up together.

"If you take that 50 percent who just don't want to vote for Clinton and add it to whatever element there might be who don't think Obama is white enough or old enough or experienced enough or because he's got a middle name that sounds Arab, you could have the worst of both worlds," he said.

This is not the first time the former president has expressed doubt in the success of a unity ticket. Speaking at a Houston event late last month, Carter called the prospect "highly unlikely," and said other potential picks could better serve the Illinois senator.

Can You Fire A Vice President?

hillary wants vice president slot and the answer to the question is no, you can't fire a vice president. they need to be impeached.
so there are so many downsides to a hillary vice presidency. but i could be convinced otherwise.

cnn: Rep. Charles Rangel, a senior member of the New York Democratic delegation, also told CNN, "I have reason to believe she is open to the [vice president] slot."

One of the sources added that former President Clinton has been privately pushing for a couple of weeks for his wife to be No. 2 on the ticket.

On Monday night, a close friend and adviser of the former first lady told CNN Clinton will say tonight "that she will do whatever it takes" to put a Democrat in the White House. Barack Obama insiders saw that as an indication she would accept an offer to be his running mate if asked.

"In her speech [Tuesday] night, she will convey the message that first and foremost she is committed to Democrats winning in November and will do whatever she's asked to do," the Clinton adviser said.

"She will do whatever it takes to bring the party together to win and whatever is asked of her to make sure the Republicans are defeated," the adviser added.

Even though she discussed being Obama's running mate, her campaign chairman earlier in the day said Clinton was "absolutely not" prepared to concede the race after the polls close tonight in Montana and South Dakota, the final two contests on the primary calendar.

one other note in the story above, jimmy carter is set to endorse today.

Carter: There Will Be no Vice President Hillary

obama doesn't need the candidate who can attract the "hard working white americans." it's not going to happen, people.

cnn: Speaking during a question and answer session at an event in Houston Tuesday night, Carter said, in his view, it's not impossible the two could pair up for the general election. But the former president said Obama will most likely search for a different vice presidential candidate.

"I think it would be highly unlikely for Obama to ask her to take it," Carter said. "Because I don't see how it would help his ticket. I think he needs somebody like a [former Georgia Sen.] Sam Nunn, but I won't name others.”

"But I think if he asked her, she would take it," Carter added.

The former president also reiterated that he does not have direct contact with either campaign and is not privy to the VP deliberations.

Clinton Superdelegates Leave Door Open to Obama

abc: For the lay of the land, ask former President Jimmy Carter, or Sen. Bob Casey, or Rep. Emmanuel Cleaver, or Gov. Jon Corzine, or Rep. John Murtha -- all of whom have, in their own way, delivered a different blow to Clinton's chances in recent days. "Superdelegates are jumping to Barack Obama's camp or signaling that's where they are headed, including such prominent figures as former President Jimmy Carter," Peter Nicholas writes in the Los Angeles Times. "Some superdelegates who back Clinton have begun laying out scenarios under which they would abandon her for Obama."

clinton is failing superdelegate math.

jimmy carter leaning toward obama

Jimmy Carter Leaning Toward Obama

like others in the democratic party, former president jimmy carter says his kids and grandkids are inspired by obama. bob casey, maria shriver, george mcgovern are a few who have said that obama has inspired their kids and grandkids.

CNN: "Don’t forget that Obama won in my state of Georgia," Carter said. "My town, which is home to 625 people, is for Obama, my children and their spouses are pro-Obama. My grandchildren are also pro-Obama."

"As a superdelegate, I would not disclose who I am rooting for but I leave you to make that guess," Carter added.

he goes on...

He also said then that Obama "will be almost automatically a healing factor in the animosity now that exists, that relates to our country and its government."