Oct. 24, 2008
Barack Obama: The New Jimmy Carter
National Review Online: A Look Back At 1976 Election Gives Us Reason To Doubt Democrat's Sincerity
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Photo
Democratic vice-presidential nominee Joe Biden, and former President Jimmy Carter listen to Hillary Clinton speak Tuesday night Aug. 26, 2008 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo. for the Democratic National Convention. (AP Photo/Laramie Boomerang)
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Photo Essay
Barack Obama
A look at the life and meteoric rise of the president-elect.
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Photo Essay
The Life Of Jimmy Carter
Here's an overview of Jimmy Carter's tenure at the White House, 1977-81, and the years before and since.
A newcomer to national politics, he claimed to transcend partisan labels. He moved to the center during the campaign, at a time when the Democrats held large congressional majorities. In a troubled economy, he told voters he would keep taxes down for most Americans, limit spending, and balance the budget, all while implementing ambitious social programs. He planned to cut military spending to free money for other purposes, but assured moderates and conservatives that when it came to America’s enemies, he would be tougher than the Republicans. The media, droves of moderates, and some conservatives believed him, having pegged him as a man of character.
His name was Jimmy Carter, the year was 1976, and he won. His presidency helps us predict the likely results of a Barack Obama victory in 2008.
What did the majority of 1976 get in return for its votes? Carter’s campaign vow to avoid increasing payroll taxes went out the window: He and Congress raised Social Security taxes through the roof. They also slapped large new taxes on oil and gas. Meanwhile, Carter canceled his plan for a tax refund to Americans earning under $30,000. Casting aside more campaign pledges, Carter and Congress increased annual federal spending from $403 billion to $579 billion and grew the national debt from $709 billion to $914 billion. Tens of billions of dollars went to new jobs programs, urban aid, and mushrooming entitlements, and Carter’s promise to stop Democratic pork-barrel spending was abandoned.
Carter and the Democratic Congress generated 18 percent inflation and economic stagnation at the same time. Unemployment rose. Americans came to regret the votes they had cast - Carter’s approval rating sank to 21 percent in 1980, the lowest in the history of polling.
Carter also threw out his professed hawkishness on foreign policy. Declaring America liberated from its “inordinate fear of Communism,” he sought better relations with the Communists in the Soviet Union, China, Cuba, and Vietnam. He was much less nice to America’s allies, withdrawing support from those who did not accept his self-righteous demands for human-rights reforms. Friendly regimes in Nicaragua and Iran fell to hostile tyrants.
If Obama abandons his promises the way Carter did, his presidency will be even more dangerous. Carter at least had longstanding tendencies toward fiscal restraint, and he, together with a large block of conservative Democrats in Congress, prevented the most left-wing elements of Congress from taxing and spending even more. Obama, on the other hand, has himself been part of the most left-wing element in the U.S. Senate, and conservatives do not have a significant presence on the Democratic side of the Reid-Pelosi Congress. Also, Obama has no history of breaking with his party before this year.
There are reasons to believe Obama will indeed break his promises. In March, he told the American public he would force Canada and Mexico to make concessions on NAFTA. Obama’s senior economic adviser privately assured Canadian officials that Obama’s public promises were “more reflective of political maneuvering than policy.” In the ensuing months, Obama likewise sent contradictory messages to different audiences on such issues as taxes, Iraq, and crime.
In the second presidential debate, Obama made the most flagrant of his bogus promises yet, when he announced a “net spending cut.” The National Taxpayers Union has estimated that Obama will actually produce a net spending increase of at least $292 billion per year. Although the press would have pilloried John McCain for such a brazen falsehood, Obama took so little heat that he repeated it again at the third debate.
Also during the third debate, Obama distanced himself from ACORN, denying any involvement with this organization since 1995. But as Sen. McCain pointed out, the Obama campaign paid $832,000 to an ACORN subsidiary earlier this year. Most ominous for the future is Obama’s statement to the Heartland Presidential Forum - which consists of ACORN and other leftist “community organizations” - that as soon as he wins the election, “we'll be calling all of you in to help us shape the agenda.”
Perhaps most incriminating of all is Joe Biden’s Seattle speech. In words that received less media attention than the “international testing” remarks, Biden asserted that an Obama administration would make unpopular decisions, because “if they're popular, they’re probably not sound.” As a consequence, “You all are going to be sitting here a year from now going, ‘Oh my God, why are they there in the polls, why is the polling so down?’” In other words, Obama’s poll numbers will fall once Americans learn that his popular promises of 2008 have been supplanted in 2009 by actions that most Americans oppose.
Before casting a vote for Obama, Americans must consider the likelihood that he will follow the path of Jimmy Carter - that he will wreck the fragile economy by reneging on promises to cut taxes and spending, that he will be tough on America’s allies and soft on its enemies. The odds of Obama staying true to his current rhetoric are so poor that not even the boldest gambler should bet on it.
By Mark Moyar
Reprinted with permission from National Review Online.





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See all 71 CommentsIt must really frustrate the NRO to see a poltical tsunami coming and know that it is too late to do anything about it. Its now not a question of who, but of how much.
Did he raise the taxes of people living today? Cuz thats what Reagan did, to much NRO applause, by tripling the national debt. And we''ve spent $1 trillion of our tax dollars just paying the INTEREST on the Reagan debt since he left office. The Reagan debt is the gift that TRULY keeps on giving.
Carter raised taxes because he believed in paying his way. It cost him reelection. His loss cost us MUCH, MUCH more. The debt is now $10 trillion, and is going to enslave an entire generation of Americans just coming into their earning years. I hope Reagan and the NRO rot in h*ll for their populist advocacy of debt as a vehicle for ''economic growth''. Profoundly unAmerican.
It won''t work. Everyone with half a brain knows the "new" McCain is NO GOOD FOR THIS COUNTRY! Even his advisors are starting to bail!
Face facts, guys: the GOP is toast!
McCain is old and confused. Every day he says something that flat out contradicts what he previously said. Flip, flop, flip, flop...
By his own admission, he doesn''t know ANYTHING about the economy. He still thinks "Joe the Plumber" is a "typical hard working middle class guy", rather than the lying, tax-evading, unlicensed, republican plant who, nevertheless, would SAVE taxes if he voted for Obama.
Palin is young and confused. And a religious nut-case. She thinks she''s "joe six-pack", but how many average joes do you know who spend $150,000 in 6 weeks for clothes and makeup? How many do you know that are under investigation for ethics violations? How many do you know who want to get their hands on the nuke buttons to blow up the entire world to "bring back jesus"?
This election, let''s all say NO THANKS to McCain and Palin. They just aren''t good for America. Vote for Obama. At least he SANE!
Whichever duo wins, we the people need to limit their ability to undercut all of the constitution, and strap them with a congress of the opposing party at our earliest convenience to keep them in check.
Faith-based funding; failed (and unconstitutional) gun control; unconstitutional and illegal spying on citizens, searches, and seizures all need to go. We need to move away from autocracy and back to our democratic republic and our constitution.
Carter was one of the most effective negotiators for middle east peace, in fact he won a Peace Prize.
I think the difference with Obama is that we have had 8 years of stomping on the constitution and very damaging cowboy diplomacy. The right wing ideology of privatization and fascism have progressed to a huge degree. I think Obama is more dynamic and has the younger energy to get things changed in the right direction. I don''t envy his situation, especially with the right wing fascist media blasting away at him.
GTH
The fact is, Jimmy Carter was an extremely good man and a great President who was simply overpowered and over-slimed by the far-right and it''s lap dog media.
Mark Moyar might be right, but it is as big a logical fallacy as any I''ve seen. His conclusion jumps so far from a few possible coincidences that the author not only undermines his narrow reputation, but flirts with behavior that has typified not only the wildly irresponsible statements by the GOP of late and the distortions that the Bush administration has been making since it started in office under the big W.
His thesis here is that because Jimmy and Obama were/are both relatively young to politics, with a liberal slant to their beliefs, and some changes of heart, Obama will follow Jimmy''s path. And lie and change and so on and he points to a few specifics where Obama seemed to change positions. As if nobody else has done at least as much changing as he supposedly did and which was supposedly just like Jimmy.
Mark Moyar might be right, but it is as big a logical fallacy as any I''ve seen. His conclusion jumps so far from a few possible coincidences that the author not only undermines his narrow reputation, but flirts with behavior that has typified not only the wildly irresponsible statements by the GOP of late and the distortions that the Bush administration has been making since it started in office under the big W.
His thesis here is that because Jimmy and Obama were/are both relatively young to politics, with a liberal slant to their beliefs, and some changes of heart, Obama will follow Jimmy''s path. And lie and change and so on and he points to a few specifics where Obama seemed to change positions. As if nobody else has done at least as much changing as he supposedly did and which was supposedly just like Jimmy.
Mark Moyar might be right, but it is as big a logical fallacy as any I''ve seen. His conclusion jumps so far from a few possible coincidences that the author not only undermines his narrow reputation, but flirts with behavior that has both typified the wildly irresponsible statements by the GOP of late and the distortions that the Bush administration has been making since it started in office under the big W.
on the sidewalk with the extra advertisement
"Vote Obama, I need the money".
I laughed.
In the restaurant,
the waiter had an Obama ''08 button with his Obama necktie.
Again I laughed.
When the $12 lunch bill came, I explained to the waiter
that I was testing the Obama wealth redistribution concept.
He stood there, dumbstruck and MAD, as I told him I would be
giving his tip to the homeless guy outside who needed it more.
The waiter trotted off pissed, while the homeless guy
was thrilled that he receieved money he didnt EARN!
Just a short lesson in Obama socialist economics.
Great story, huh? (and true) just happened
Try it yourself in the next few days!
ANYONE WHO THINKS I WAS BEING MEAN,
I got the "spread the wealth" idea from OBAMA
Where was the ''crystal ball'' that could''ve predicted the disaster that is the eight years of the Bu$h Presidency?
We could''ve used such a prediction that republicans were going to steal every dollar that wasn''t nailed down. But that''s what we wound up with,folks.
A vote for Obama will help end the lies, thievery,and skullduggery that has been the unspoken platform of the criminal republican party.....
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
........That''s exactly what we will get if McLAme is elected Pre$ident....
14. More 4 more years of Bush, even when Bush is not running.
Actually, you can blame that cretin Ronald Reagan for making it a big tax advantage for corporations to export American jobs overseas. REagan, the stupid,senile shill for big business actually duped the gullible american public into thinking he was on their side with his "service economy" B.S.
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Thank you Democratic Party for the great job you have done in Northeastern Ohio, 35 years ,mainly Mahoning County, all that open area now is great for the environmentalist, what used to be Steel Plants, pipe plants, industrial area, what a great use of the EPA. Also big spots of were homes used to be. Thank you Again Eco-Liberal Democrats.
Posted by KathySun at 09:19 PM : Oct 24, 2008
Jimmy Carter was a governor for 4 years and a state senator for two terms.
Clinton was a governor for 12 years.
Reagan was a governor for 8 years.
George Bush was in his second term as governor when he ran for the presidency. The record though probably demonstrates that he was not actually qualified or suited for the presidency.
Sarah Palin has been a governor for less than two years.
Which one of these is not like the other?
Why is%u2019 not Gov Sarah Plain, not qualified for VP, when Gov George Bush was a governor, Jimmy Carter was a Governor, Gov Bill Clinton was a Governor, Gov Ronald Reagan was a Governor. If these men can be President, Why can%u2019t Gov Sarah Plain be VP?
Posted by KathySun at 09:19 PM : Oct 24, 2008
Jimmy Carter was a governor for 4 years and a state senator for two terms.
Clinton was a governor for 12 years.
Reagan was a governor for 8 years.
George Bush was in his second term as governor when he ran for the presidency. The record though probably demonstrates that he was not actually qualified or suited for the presidency.
Sarah Palin has been a governor for less than two years.
Which one of these is not like the other?
Why is%u2019 not Gov Sarah Plain, not qualified for VP, when Gov George Bush was a governor, Jimmy Carter was a Governor, Gov Bill Clinton was a Governor, Gov Ronald Reagan was a Governor. If these men can be President, Why can%u2019t Gov Sarah Plain be VP?
Posted by KathySun at 09:19 PM : Oct 24, 2008
Jimmy Carter was a governor for 4 years and a state senator for two terms.
Clinton was a governor for 12 years.
Reagan was a governor for 8 years.
George Bush was in his second term as governor when he ran for the presidency. The record though probably demonstrates that he was not actually qualified or suited for the presidency.
Sarah Palin has been a governor for less than two years.
Which one of these is not like the other?
agreed.
ubrew12,
I also lived through the carter years. I rememeber that he wanted to raise taxes to pay for our expenses.I also rememebr a quote from Cheney saying Reagan proved one could run a government and win elections with deficits. Great post.
The democrats are indeed hoping for unions to once again energize the labor market. I hope there is a democratic sweep, perhaps we can all go to work.We need not implement just clean coal or nuclear power.
Wind power in Texas , solar power in Arizona. Money for a national grid would all create new jobs. In addition, the R&D behind such technology would create jobs. Wind and Solar can be implemented in other areas as well as these two alone will not power the grids. New battery technology for vehicles. Federal moey for hydrogen refueling stations for vehicles already created. These could also provide jobs. We have to be unafraid of the idea of federal money being the seed money for these projects. All of the GOP screaming about Carter, socialism, and the real fear of high taxes is stopping the country. Think about what will happen with more of the GOP policies in place... I have more faith in the american people than the GOP apparently. After all the GOP trusted the business moguels to practive "capitalism" ad where are we? Keep in mind that the credit scam was an admendmet to the bill allowing "lower income" to borrow. But thanks to the GOP the "lower income" are the bogeyman. I will gladly take a chance on the "regular joe or jane", thanks.
I think I still have our canning supplies and lanterns, and lots of canles. We have a wood burning stove with lots of wood, Oh yea, ready for the good old days to return. I just wish we still lived on our upstate Pennsylvania farm so we could grow our own food. It would be comforting to be back with those racist, rednecks. Thanks murtha, you''re a real sweetie.
Pres. Carter is one of the few morally grounded men
to have served in the White House. Obama''s history,
affiliations and 20 year relationship with Rev. Wright and his support of Wm. Ayers puts Obama in
a very different league morally and ethically.
Of course morals and ethics don''t sell newspapers or
on line advertising..........so the media is supporting Obama and all the money he is putting into
the media coffers with his ads.
ABC and the NY Times in advertising dollars??
I wish we had continued his energy policies. This country would be MUCH better off, and wouldn''t be throwing away trillions each year to purchase foreign oil. But they required an activist government, engaged in energy policy, not a policy written by the oil companies, which is what Republicans prefer.
Carter as prologue to Obama? Where in heaven (or otherwise) do you get that? Totally different people, totally different life experiences, totally different temperament, totally different times.
You''re so desperate for -anything- to bash Obama with, you''ll stretch things so far that rationality has no place in your highly-biased, hawkish, rich-white-men worldview.
I feel so bad for you. In less than two weeks, you will become what you really are: irrelevant.
Thank God.
AND the start of NOT BEING ABLE TO DRILL FOR OUR OWN OIL!!!
OBAMA the "SOCIALIST" in 08 for the 2nd CARTER TERM!!!
Thank you Democratic Party for not letting us drill for oil the unemployment RATE is 6.7%.
Thank you Democratic Party for the great job you have done in Northeastern Ohio, 35 years ,mainly Mahoning County, all that open area now is great for the environmentalist, what used to be Steel Plants, pipe plants, industrial area, what a great use of the EPA. Also big spots of were homes used to be. Thank you Again Eco-Liberal Democrats.
Posted by KathySun at 07:17 PM : Oct 24, 2008
None of this would have ever entered your tiny brain if you hadn''t heard it from the right wing mouthpieces. Your entire thought process consists of copy and paste.
Enough said.
Unlike Carter, Obama is a unifyer. He has already in his campaign shown a remarkable ability to inspire and bring together people of differing races, educational levels, and incomes together. There is no reason to believe that if he''s elected he won''t do that with his administration. Carter, by contrast, distanced himself from those in his own party. Loyal Democrats were made to feel that some how they weren''t as good as the Georgia gang that came into town with Carter. In that way, the candidate who''s most like Carter, is Gov. Palin. I mean no disrepect to former President Carter when I say that, I know that for all of his faults, he''s a much smarter, more decent and more honest human being than Gov. Palin.
In addition to not being as divisive a person as Carter, Obama is a much more inspiring leader and speaker. Honestly, even when I agreed with him, listening to a Carter speech was about as exciting as watching paint dry. I was invited to the Carter Inaugural and what stands out most in my mind was the odd sensation of almost falling asleep on my freezing cold feet on the Capitol grounds.
So, please, please, don''t equate Carter with Obama.
It seems that perhaps CBS is right and the GOP is getting just a little desperate.
King George W. Bush did Carter a favor by being the worst.
Carter is a genius in comparison.
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