No former president has publicly criticized and shown less respect to successors than Jimmy Carter - at least in my lifetime. The tone and frequency of Carter's scornful jabs is inexcusable, IMO. I guess it is the pot calling the kettle black aspect of Jimmy Carter's criticism that makes it seem particularly clownish and inappropriate.

 

I can understand Teddy Roosevelt believing himself worthy of criticizing Taft - but how can Jimmy Carter possibly believe that he is qualified to criticize anybody else's performance as president? :lol:

 

 

Conversely, how can someone who hasn't yet attained the position of president, criticize with any worthy credibility one who has already held the office.

 

It's really funny. I read on this site frequently that Bush shouldn't be criticized for his foreign policy decisions (ie-war in Iraq), and that he has made his decisions based upon information given to him by different sourches, and those sources were flawed. What? No consideration that it's the same in every administration? At least in Carter's defense, we didn't go blazing barrels and raining bombs on Iran. You may not like his handling of the hostage crisis in particular, but we didn't overthrow a government and become mired in a potentially decades long "military action".

Not if he includes GW.

 

George Washington?

Conversely, how can someone who hasn't yet attained the position of president, criticize with any worthy credibility one who has already held the office.

 

It's really funny. I read on this site frequently that Bush shouldn't be criticized for his foreign policy decisions (ie-war in Iraq), and that he has made his decisions based upon information given to him by different sourches, and those sources were flawed. What? No consideration that it's the same in every administration? At least in Carter's defense, we didn't go blazing barrels and raining bombs on Iran. You may not like his handling of the hostage crisis in particular, but we didn't overthrow a government and become mired in a potentially decades long "military action".

Carter's policies precipitated the Iranian Islamic Revolution - so I disagree with your assertion that Carter did not overthrow a government. Carter's incompetency did not begin and end with his handling of the hostage crisis - it extended into most areas of both domestic and foreign policy. The man's presidency was a train wreck.

Conversely, how can someone who hasn't yet attained the position of president, criticize with any worthy credibility one who has already held the office.

 

It's really funny. I read on this site frequently that Bush shouldn't be criticized for his foreign policy decisions (ie-war in Iraq), and that he has made his decisions based upon information given to him by different sourches, and those sources were flawed. What? No consideration that it's the same in every administration? At least in Carter's defense, we didn't go blazing barrels and raining bombs on Iran. You may not like his handling of the hostage crisis in particular, but we didn't overthrow a government and become mired in a potentially decades long "military action".

 

Kinda like the current democratic candidates do with regards to GW Bush...

 

I'm not singling you out, because I suspect your view is not too far off from mine. It's just that your first line was the best one to quote. Reading through this post, I find it funny that many people have a problem with the criticism of a former president, yet are fine with the criticism of a current president. Criticism that has sometimes went beyond our own country and undermined Bush on the world stage. To me, that is totally unacceptable.

 

I have no problem with the criticism of a former or current president...I think that's our right as Americans. However, I think there is a right and wrong way to go about it. It definitely crosses the line when someone goes abroad to "meet" with other leaders or criticizes our president in front of other governments and undermines his authority.

 

I have no problem with McCain's comments. Nor do I have a problem with the criticism of GW Bush to a point...

That a U.S. presidential candidate would call another U.S. President (not running this time around if people haven't noticed) "Lousy" whether it be true or not...:thumb:

 

Heck, even calling a presidential competitor "lousy" would seem a little out of line.

 

Then the former Democratic Presidents and VP's should refrain from some of their statements they made about Pres. Bush.

It does seem a little harsh for a man in McCain's present position to criticize a former president, but Carter has opened himself up to such comments by his involvement in current world events, and his endorsements of candidates.

 

And it's true....he was a lousy president.

He's right, but then again McCain is a lousy candidate. He's trying to pin Obama to Carter which makes no sense to me.

I'm glad to see that McCain is back on the "Straight Talk Express" with a message of truth.

I'm glad to see that McCain is back on the "Straight Talk Express" with a message of truth.

 

 

 

Huh....:confused:

 

 

But what will be his message of truth tomorrow...and next week...and the next. It is ever changing.

Huh....:confused:

 

 

But what will be his message of truth tomorrow...and next week...and the next. It is ever changing.

Ah, but math.....you being a staunch relativist, wouldn't you say that Truth is always changing as well? :lol:

I think its in poor taste to call a former President "lousy" from his position.

 

That a U.S. presidential candidate would call another U.S. President (not running this time around if people haven't noticed) "Lousy" whether it be true or not...:thumb:

 

Heck, even calling a presidential competitor "lousy" would seem a little out of line.

 

While I too think he was a lousy President, I agree with you. I think it is in poor taste.

 

I can agree with this.

 

I agree, too.

 

Then the former Democratic Presidents and VP's should refrain from some of their statements they made about Pres. Bush.

 

BBAll beat me to it.

 

Do you guys feel that the Democrat candidates are equally wrong about the comments they have made about George W?

BBAll beat me to it.

 

Do you guys feel that the Democrat candidates are equally wrong about the comments they have made about George W?

 

Yes.

BBAll beat me to it.

 

Do you guys feel that the Democrat candidates are equally wrong about the comments they have made about George W?

 

As I commented in a previous post, I think McCain has the right to say what he did, but I didn't expect it out of him. His "higher road" persona is one of the reasons I liked him.

I greatly respect and admire Jimmy Carter for his moral values and being a strong Christian. I respect him for that and him never losing site of it.

I do have to agree though that Carter was a bad president. Great man, just not a good president. JMO

 

 

Agreed.

He's right, but then again McCain is a lousy candidate. He's trying to pin Obama to Carter which makes no sense to me.

 

McCain is looking at policies and projected/stated policies or stances on issues to draw the comparison. While I agree, I don't think this will have much weight with younger Obama voters who most have no idea about Jimmy Carter except that he is a former President.