Photo: Deborah Hakes/Carter Center
First, having seen the transcript from tonight's interview with President Carter, I'd say it's notable for Mr. Carter's utter candor. A former Democratic president himself, he talks about what President Barack Obama has gotten right and what he's gotten wrong -- where he's won in Washington, where he has lost, and where he's going to win next.
Second, Rachel wanted us to post these excerpts from Mr. Carter's White House Diary, now out in paperback from Picador. She's been reading it as she prepped for the interview, and she sent these over under the heading "Unexpected moments."
February 3, 1980
"One [CIA] agent whom we had sent into Iran with a false German passport was questioned by customs because instead of using a full middle name, we used the initial "H." Apparently the Germans never use a middle initial. When questioned about it, the agent very quickly said, 'I'm ashamed of my middle name, which is Hitler.' The Iranian said, 'Well, under those circumstances, I can understand why your passport is different from all the others in Germany."
And two:
September 8, 1977
"I met with Rex Scouten and superintendents from the General Services Administration to complain about the numerous mice in my office. For two or three months now I've been telling them to get rid of the mice. They still seem to be growing in numbers, and I am determined either to fire somebody or get the mice cleared out -- or both.
"In the afternoon I met with Prime Minister [Eric] Gairy of Grenada. Grenada is the smallest country in our hemisphere, and Gairy was primarily concerned with mysticism, the definition of God, and a resolution that he sponsored for years before the United Nations to investigate unidentified flying objects.
"I remember with particular clarity that when he opened the wrong briefcase to give me some papers, his dirty laundry fell out on the conference room table.
And three:
February 11, 1977
"The president of India died, and I called Mama to ask her to leave that afternoon for India to represent me there. Chip decided to go with her. When she answered the phone I asked her what she was doing. She said she was sitting around the house looking for something to do, and I said, 'How would you like to go to India?' She said, 'Love to go someday. Why?' And I said, 'How about this afternoon?' She said, 'Okay, I'll be ready.'"
Photo: Deborah Hakes/Carter Center
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These are absolutely priceless. Love the German story.
Government works like that. Just exactly like that.
Jimmy is still my favorite president.
How about this afternoon? Gotta love it.
It is hard to ignore how prophetic Carter was during his presidency. Contrary to the current narratives of his "failed presidency", history will write a very different story about him and his efforts to address America's long term energy challenge. His acumen as a world leader will be seen quite differently in light of the repeated failures of multiple Presidents to make any further progress in the Middle East after Camp David.
It is so sad that with Reagan, America chose the fantasies of the movie theater for the light of day. 3 wasted decades, tens of trillions, thousands of lives lost, we could have done so much more. I am optimistic we will get there though. As Churchill quipped,
Amen to that. I'm one of those historians. Carter is already considered the best, the most effective post-tenure President ever. He's going to be more and more recognized for what he didn't do--the wars he kept us out of--as well as what he did do (Camp David accords, for one thing), not to mention the cardigan, the thermostat down, and the 55 mph speed limit which drivers don't like, but which would have made us less at the mercy of the oil producing countries and their big oil allies.
When you see examples of the work done on MSNBC such as this piece, how does anyone rationalize the position that MSNBC is the equal counterpoint on the left to Fox News on the right?! (I'm lookin' at you ,Stewart ;-)
Jon Stewart should do more prep for his off-the-cuff evaluations of MSNBC. Fox Noise is pretty faces marching to the Koch Brothers' conspiracy against the middle class.
Two things: 1) If there is a G-d, I'm sure he's pleased with Jimmy Carter he's a great humanitarian, and 2) I'm always impressed when people do their "homework" and Rachael is always prepared!
I thank you both for reminding me to reach just a little higher.....
Ah Rachel as Marc Black says in "I Love You Rachel Maddow" "with that short hair style and the sideways smile" you look beaming
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzVL8PtpWm0
I ao so excited about tonight's show. My Grandma, who passed away the year before last, absolutely loved President Carter. I'm right there with her.
It is amazing how many of his warnings from the late 70s turned out to be true.
Looking forward to the interview.
looking forward to the interview. Wonderful man....more people should listen to him.
I love Jimmy Carter! A brilliant, gentle man with a kind heart and keen sense of humor. Thank you for sharing this!!
I speak in favor of this humble President ,he has been beat & battered by the none thinking press. I feel he suffered the exact fate that President Obama faces at this moment.
I lived in the time of his presidency & I waited in lines two blocks long for gas on my special day, what I say about this is the right was executing the very plan they are executing today,it was just simply the early stage of a have & have not plan that the elite & corporations cooked up. I'm sad to day if we don't wake up ,I feel they are going to butcher the middle class
I enjoy Rachel because she is always prepared and very organized for interviews. President Carter is a great man for his love of humanity and open candor. This will be a hallmark conversation.
Carter is the most honest President the US has had during my life, and before, in my opinion. The man is quite wealthy, and has the ability to just sit there smelling the roses and counting his money, but he remains dedicated to Habitat for Humanity. He was a working man and a dedicated volunteer submariner (elite, bigtime).
And his books since coming out of office have deserved high ratings in this list or that.
I mean, he still teaches Bible study to others in his church, and I HATE organised religion of every stripe. But if it works for Jimmy, I'm, there.
A TRUE American hero .... meanwhile every 3rd Federal building has the name Reagan attached to it (appalling). The two men and their presidencies are as far removed from the other as could ever be.
Jimmy Carter was just too noble be a politiician! He is an outstanding humanitarian. We have only to look at the noble things he has accomplished since he left office. He is a Christian who lives the teachings of Jesus instead of spreading hate, fear and greed.
Barack Obama is able to see the ""larger" picture and has the same lofty ideals for our country, but has faced insurmountable objects to his plans from those who value money over human decency!
Those among us who are "uninformed" voters, can do more harm than good. Listen to both sides of an issue and don't be like "sheep".
That is the sweetest picture! Love both of you!
Carter was and is a mediator and peacemaker. Something the warmongering politicians cannot understand because we live in a culture of war, not a culture of peace. He is a true Christian because he preaches a gospel of peace.
By the way Rachel, you are the GREATEST! We never miss your show if we can help it. Your accurate reporting is incredible. We need more like you to correct the mistakes (lies) - of FOX ramblings with accurate accounting. We marvel at, and appreciate your incredibly sharp mind!
Well. So much for using the expression "Jesus H. Christ" without taking a long pause afterward to wonder if I should be uncomfortable.
MSNBC is slowly but surely becoming the best cable news channel in America. Their professionalism, insight and forward-leaning journalist superiority is a winning combination. I love the 5pm-12 midnight coverage; simply off the hizzle!
Rachel Maddow - you know how special you are with your cute self!
;D
Simply awesome. Big fan of both! :)
Like Nixon before him, Carter was the victim of an Arab-engineered oil embargo. Then he appointed Paul Volcker to head the Fed. Ask any honest economist who was really responsible for 80's turnaround. Hint: most won't say Saint Ron.
The lesson that's still relevant today is that economics, fiscal policy, and how decisions made about them are felt for years thereafter is a little more complicated than some would have you believe.
I voted for Jimmy Carter and day by day Obama's situation reminds me more and more of carter. Both Jimmy Carter and Barack Obama had fundamental misunderstandings of how Washington works. They both suffered for it, and the nation has greatly suffered for it. Both Carter and Obama sadly misunderstood the nature of their "disloyal" opposition and were unable to stage an effective public communication effort about the real struggle we as a nation are engaged in and why. Under Carter, certain people committed treason with a foreign power to ensure a certain election result. Under Obama, certain people committed economic treason to ensure a certain election result. It's nauseating to think how long this has been going on and how oblivious people are.
When Reagan defeated Carter in 1980, I felt like the hawk had slain the dove.
Don't forget the solar panels that President Carter put on the roof of the whitehouse. Reagan took them down, just as Boner and Company replaced the recyclable cups that Nancy Pelosi instituted in the House with styrofoam ones. These people cut off their noses to spite their faces. That's how mean spirited and infantile they are.
There is no one else who could do a really good interview with Jimmy Carter. He is a national treasure but wrongly maligned. And Rachel is also a national treasure who understands the respect he deserves.
Great interview! I have great respect for Jimmy Carter, for both his intent and his actions.
Now... trivial possibly, but important to me... Rachel, your hair, in my opinion, was better the way it was, and your makeup person is hiding your wonderful eyes and their expressiveness. In my book, this look is sort of "clown-like" in appearance and takes away from your real beauty and power... on screen anyway. There, my opinion, and worth every bit that you paid for it.
Keep up the good work, you're one of a kind!
Rachel and Jimmy are so similar ...both are very dangerous people ...