I think Carter might have been too good of a person to make an effective president. I think, as much as I'd like that it were otherwise, someone who makes an effective president has to be a bit of a ruthless bastard.
I agree, except for the last bit. I don't know if you need more of a ruthless bastard, but the office does seem to need someone inspiring.
I love Jimmy Carter. He is, in my opinion, the best human to have sat in the Oval Office in my lifetime (which started during LBJ's tenure). I'd love it if Carter would be a chief influence on a charismatic Democratic President. Sadly, "charismatic" and "Democrat" have seemed to be an either/or choice as often as not, for the last couple of elections.
I don't think it was the media/Republicans labeling Carter as 'liberal' that gave Regan his opening. I think Jimmy left a lot of Americans feeling deflated. He didn't know how to use the bully pulpit, and Regan, for all his faults, could work it as well as Clinton.
You know though, Bush the lesser is making Bush the senior look better and better.
Mmmm. I mostly agree, but not entirely.
His duo act with Clinton has been fascinating to watch, though.
Yes. This shows way more class than I'd credited Bush Sr. with.
I think it shows a lot of class on Clinton's part. It was H.W.'s machine that worked so very hard to completely discredit Clinton. Sadly, he gave them the fodder. In my world, Clinton's still President, and the Bushes have all retired. Possibly on Guam.
I see a law has been passed to prevent protests at soldier's funerals from Fred Phelps, the least favorite son of my hometown Topeka.
Good. The hate mongering just...oof. I've been more political in this post than I intended to be until 2008. Never mind. Just. I wish they could muzzle Phelps, completely. Free Speech for everyone but YOU, Phelps.