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Jimmy Carter Says McCain 'Milking' POW History

August 29, 2008 7:24 AM

Former President Jimmy Carter tells USA Today that Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., has been "milking every possible drop of advantage" from his 5 1/2 years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam. "John McCain was able to weave in his experience in a Vietnam prison camp, no matter what the question was," Carter told the paper. "It's much better than talking about how he's changed his total character between being a senator, a kind of a maverick ... and his acquiescence in the last few months with every kind of lobbyist pressure that the right wing Republicans have presented."

- jpt

August 29, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (69)

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Michael: That just goes to show you even Jimmy Carter was capable of making much better choises than Johm McCain. McCain has paid a price for every lousy choise he has made, and I don't want to pay a price for his lousy track record if he was to get elected.

Posted by: ronnieraygun | Aug 31, 2008 10:15:30 AM

markymark and "Carter is right!":

Carter had a Republican congress blocking his efforts to get things done? Really? Did you even bother to look to see if that was true before you decided to say it? Or did you find the truth and decide to tell an untruth instead? Did you just assume that you can do what the Left has done for years--repeat untruths until they become accepted, and rely on others not to waste time and energy checking the facts?

The fact of the matter: The Democrats won both houses of Congress in 1954, and held them both until the Republicans captured a majority in the Senate and held on to that.

Not surprisingly, the GOP's first majority in nearly thirty years came in the elections that ended the Carter presidency; the electorate was just that impressed with Carter that they tossed his whole party out.

Rodney: Please have someone show you how the caps lock key works.

Posted by: mgd | Aug 29, 2008 7:24:44 PM

Oh man the world these days...

Posted by: K | Aug 29, 2008 6:18:14 PM

Jimmy Carter was 18 in 1942. He did not enlist, instead he wrangled his way into the Naval Academy until he graduated in 1946. In 1953, in the middle of the Korean conflict he resigned from the Navy. I do not see how he is qualified to judge John Mccain who placed himself in harms way in service of his country and paid a dear price for it.

Posted by: Michael | Aug 29, 2008 3:55:13 PM

McCain has no shame when it comes to exploiting his POW background. There is no question he can be asked that he does not mention his POW status. What offends me, as a veteran myself (1970-72) is McCain's abysmal record when it comes to military and veteran issues. he postures himself as a supporter of the troops and veterans, and yet he votes against issues over and over again. The Disabled American Veterans gave him a 20% rating on veterans legislation. The Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America gave him a letter grade of D. He is a hypocrite. He should be ashamed of himself.

Posted by: DublBogey | Aug 29, 2008 2:33:32 PM

"Since I have to chose between these two McCain or Obama . I will vote for Obama."
-----
There's always Nader. And McKinney. AND, for Obamacan types, Barr.

If voters continue to reward the "Democrats" for selling the nomination to the highest bidder, they'll keep doing it.

Did Obama "change" anything in Illinois, other than his own net worth?

Posted by: Belle Starr | Aug 29, 2008 1:24:13 PM

Jimmy Carter is trying to milk him still being relevant. That's one empty milk carton!

Posted by: D'Obama | Aug 29, 2008 12:15:55 PM

Truth is We are sitting at the bottom of the ocean right now. I used to be republican.After the last 8 years I would rather have a bowling ball in the white house . The republican party has stooped to its lowest point ever Karl pig face Rove and Cheyne and Bush have done things that are beyond belief. 4,000 plus americans dead. 30,000 americans maimed and wounded. They talk about God and being christian etc. They are using religeon and any other means to con people. They all have millions invested in Oil. Wake up America. Truth is we could see the truth about McCain in 2004 if we opened our eyes.When push came to shove the republican party tore McCain to shreds. They spanked him and put him in his room. The fact that he is running now only proves to me and anyone with average or above IQ that They let him out of his room ,and he better do what he is told. No thanks, I will vote for Obama. I have two other men I would rather vote for . One guy is republican and one guy is a democrat. Since I have to chose between these two McCain or Obama . I will vote for Obama.

Posted by: Richard Sacco | Aug 29, 2008 11:58:56 AM

In short, McCain's foreign policy
is about making new enemies and
starting local and regional
conflicts or getting involved in
them with no clear mission while
weakening the economy therby
negatively impacting military
capability and national security.

His VP pick has zero foreign policy
experience. And, at first sight,
does not appear to have the
qualifications to step into the
highest office if events make it
necessary for her to assume the
role of President.

Come November, with this VP pick,
the Republican ticket will be DOA.


Posted by: anon | Aug 29, 2008 11:54:19 AM


Carter's problem is he is dumber than a coal bucket. He needs to tend to his peanut farm.

Posted by: Billw | Aug 29, 2008 11:48:16 AM

McCain is tough as nails and loves this country. He proved it.

How did Obama show his patriotism?
By listening to Rev Wright curse America and by praising William Ayers.

I don't care if McCain talks about being a POW everyday. He should be proud and we should be proud of anyone that served this country.

McCain/Palin 08 Hillary 2012

Posted by: riley | Aug 29, 2008 11:19:34 AM

Let's see...What does Obama use over and over again?

I'll debate anytime--(knowing he is afraid to debate)
I have a funny name, I look different, I'm black.

I was raised by a single mom, worked my way through college, just paid off my college loan.

There are no picture of Obama's life that are as powerful as McCain in that prison, or him limping off that plane.

The most powerful picture about Obama in my mind? His pastor of 20 years cursing America.

Posted by: riley | Aug 29, 2008 11:12:00 AM

Alaska's Governor now facing ethics-related probe
Submitted by crew on 24 July 2008 - 9:10am. Alaska Sarah Palin

It's never a dull moment in Alaska. You may recall that all three members of Alaska's Congressional Delegation, Senator Ted Stevens, Senator Lisa Murkowski and Rep. Don Young, made CREW's list of the most corrupt members of Congress, Beyond DeLay.

Now, the relatively new Governor, Sarah Palin, is in hot water and may be facing a legislative investigation. Via the ever informative Anchorage Daily News:

Alaska Senate leaders want an investigation of whether Gov. Sarah Palin pressured and then fired the public safety commissioner because he wouldn't get rid of a state trooper who had gone through a bitter divorce with Palin's sister.

Posted by: Owen | Aug 29, 2008 10:56:03 AM

And as far as dishonoring our service men and women, don't forget that it was the republicans who were parading around their convention in 2004 wearing purple bandaids mocking John Kerry's Purple Heart.

Posted by: Lou | Aug 29, 2008 10:40:38 AM

To set the record straight for all you blind-eyed Republicans who only watch Fox News and believe anything Karl Rove tells you...

The absolute worst post-war president is *TADAAAA*.....George W. Bush!

Lowest approval rating: 19%. Jimmy Carter is fourth lowest, he's preceded by Harry Truman (2nd place, 1952) and Richard Nixon (3rd place).

So that's one.

Second, it's FUN to watch the Democrats take a page from the Republican Attack text book! I'd like more of it

And rightly so.

No Democrat has ever had to endure what Max Cleland went through.

Posted by: Kaj | Aug 29, 2008 10:28:53 AM

those who say that Jimmy Carter had a failed presidency are quite wrong, but that's beside the point.

The point is that Carter's presidency has no bearing on what he is saying about John McCain s continually relying on his POW years to avoid answering tough questions or as a tool to refute honest criticism.

Posted by: Lou | Aug 29, 2008 10:27:46 AM

LOL, I guess Mccain thinks the POW thing is what the sheeple need to hear. Luckily, we aint listening! Surely no one with a single ounce of common sense would actually consider Mccain. I mean do we really need another for years of the Bush Regime?

Whistler

Posted by: the Whistler | Aug 29, 2008 10:14:40 AM

Carter was milking his 4 years of presidency. He did it again.

Posted by: Julian | Aug 29, 2008 10:12:00 AM

Carter is not dishonoring McCain's service or his 51/2 years as a POW by pointing to the fact that McCain uses his POW status as a crutch to avoid answering policy questions.

When McCain, for example, is asked what his economic plan is, I want him to explain what his economic plan is, not tell us that he was a POW.

In fact, it was McCain himself who said early on that he would not play the POW card in the campaign, but he seems to have forgotten that promise.

Posted by: Lou | Aug 29, 2008 10:08:46 AM

yah...right. Carter.

I can see why you like to see bambi in the WH....Bambi will erase the your record being the worst Democratic POTUS.

Posted by: bambi carter | Aug 29, 2008 10:00:04 AM

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