Jimmy Carter To Pass “Worst President” Torch To Current Title Holder At DNC Convention

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At least, that’s the most likely reason for Jimmy Carter to accept the invitation by the Democratic National Convention Committee and Obama for America to speak at the upcoming Democrat National Convention. As this poll shows, Carter is the holder of the worst job approval ratings of any President since the 1950s, Carter is hopeful that Obama’s close second to his record will rid him of the “worst President” title.

When you think about it, the reason Obama and the Democrats might want Carter to speak could be found in those same polling numbers, because they could argue that as bad as Obama is, there is someone who was worse. And when you add the “Blame Bush Part Duex” strategy, they could make America forget all about how pathetic Obama’s Presidency has been.

However, the strategy could backfire on both of them. A closer look at the issues each President dealt with show that they have been equally inept at performing their duties:

Energy – both administrations attempted to “change” America’s energy habits. Both promoted alternative energy that resulted in higher energy prices and shortages for consumers. In fact, Obama’s energy positions are simply recycled ideas from the Carter Administration. The similarities are eerie Democrat politics as usual:

Carter: We can’t substantially increase our domestic production. The cost will keep going up.
Obama: We can’t just drill our way to lower gas prices.

Carter: We must face an unpleasant fact about energy prices. They are going up, whether we pass an energy program or not.
Obama: Anybody who says we can get gas down to 2-bucks a gallon just isn’t telling the truth.

Carter: We must start now to develop the new, unconventional sources of energy we will rely on in the next century.
Obama: With more research and incentives, we can break our dependence on oil.

Carter: If we fail to act boldly today, then we surely face a greater series of crises tomorrow.
Obama: We have to make a serious, nationwide commitment to developing new sources of energy and we have to do it right away.

Carter: These efforts will cost money, a lot of money, and that is why Congress must enact the windfall profits tax without delay.
Obama: It’s time to end the taxpayer giveaway to an industry that’s never been more profitable, (and) invest in clean energy that’s never been more promising.

Carter: This is an effort which requires vision and cooperation for all Americans. … I can’t tell you that these measures will be easy.
Obama: Energy independence will require an all-hands-on deck effort from America. … This will not be easy, and it will not happen overnight.

Of course, Barry did have one original idea. He did come up with the “tire gauge” concept so that Americans will have properly inflated tires, which supposedly would save more oil than drilling will produce.

Reorganizing Government – Carter “successfully” reorganized many branches of the government – successfully being a relative term considering the problems we have with the bloated Departments of Energy and Education – and Obama has recently made a similar commitment.

However, I don’t think we realize that Obama has already reorganized the Executive Branch, at least as far as the Constitution is concerned. His record-breaking use of the Executive Order to usurp Congress has become legendary, and his appointment of a myriad of government oversight staff – commonly referred to as “czars” – has set records.

Issues of war – Carter made dealing with war around the world a top priority. Besides the continuing “cold war,” which was ended by the Reagan/Bush administration, he had civil wars and other conflicts to deal with in the Middle East. Besides his failure after Russia invaded Afghanistan – he responded by boycotting the 1980 Olympics and destroying US farmers by ending a wheat trade agreement – Carter will be most remembered for his failures in dealing with Iran. His policies toward the Shah, along with defunding covert operations in Iran, led to the rebellion led by Ayatollah Khomeni, and ended with 52 Americans being held hostage for 444 days. Carter’s lack of leadership in the region directly led to the rise in power of radical Islam.

Obama has had similar experiences in the region. His lack of leadership has empowered radical Islam in almost every nation in the Middle East. The “Arab Spring” has put members of the Muslim Brotherhood in positions of elected power, causing the entire region to become less stable. Like Carter, he has also failed in dealing with Iran. He refused to support the post-election protesters in 2009, which could have led to the overthrow of the radical government Carter helped gain power, and he is allowing them to become a nuclear power.

While we’re on the subject of the Middle East, there’s one more similarity between Carter and Obama – they are both pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel. See links here and here.

The Economy – Carter took office after the recession that ended Gerald Ford’s chances of reelection in 1976. He pledged to reduce the deficit, bring inflation under control, and lower unemployment.

By 1980, the deficit had increased from $53.7 billion in his first year to $73.8 billion when he left office in 1980. Inflation rose from 4.8% in 1976 to 12% in 1980. Unemployment was 7.5% in 1977 when he took office, and while there was a dip mid-term, it returned to 7.5% in January 1980. And let’s not forget 18% mortgage rates and 70% marginal tax rates on income just over $200,000.

Obama came into office after the recession that cost Republicans a chance to keep the White House. He pledged to cut the budget deficit in half in his first term, keep unemployment under 8%, and lower health and gasoline costs.

As we near the end of his first – and hopefully last – term, the budget deficit has not been cut in half. In fact, Obama’s budget deficits have been record-setting, as he has increased the national debt as much as all prior Presidents, from George Washington to George Bush, COMBINED! Even after a $787 billion stimulus package, unemployment has never been below 8%. Healthcare costs have increased under Obamacare and gasoline prices are the highest they have ever been.

One more thing on the economy. Both Carter and Obama are “tax the rich” liberals. If Obama succeeds in raising taxes an those who make over $250,000 as he wants, the economy will stagnate and we will have another recession or depression. There’s also the little issue of the Obamacare “tax” which will be a tax increase on taxpayers in all tax brackets.

So, why did the Obama and the DNC invite Jimmy Carter to speak at the convention? It could be because they want America to think that Obama may be bad, but not as bad as Carter.

And why would Carter expose himself to the scrutiny of his pathetic record? It could be because he wants America to forget about how bad he was as a Commander-in-Chief, and have America look at how much worse Obama is.

At least that way, Jimmy Carter could pass the “Worst President” torch to the current title holder – or maybe they can share the title, just like they share everything else.

 

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