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Carter Endorses Gore, Says Former Veep Can Win More Than Oscars

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February 23, 2007 12:17 PM

ABC News' George Stephanopoulos Reports: In an exclusive interview with former President Jimmy Carter set to air on Sunday's "This Week with George Stephanopoulos", Carter lavished praise on "(his) favorite Democrat) former Vice President Al Gore.

Carter told ABC News, "If Al should decide to run -- which I'm afraid he won't -- I would support Al Gore."

The former Democratic President asserted Gore could accomplish much more in the White House than he ever could as a private citizen, saying to Stephanopoulos, "His burning issue now is global warming and preventing it.  He can do infinitely more to accomplish that goal as in the incumbent in the White House, than he can making even movies that get -- you know, that get Oscars."

"An Inconvenient Truth", a documentary based on a global warming lecture Gore has delivered around the world, is nominated for an Academy Award and the former Vice President will walk the red carpet at the Oscars this Sunday.

Despite public pressure from Carter and others, the former President does not believe Gore will make a second bid for the White House saying, "I don't think he will.  I've put so much pressure on Al to run that he's almost gotten aggravated with me."

Carter told Stephanopoulos that he had not called Gore "lately" adding, "He almost told me, the last time I talked, 'Don't call me anymore.'"

Carter joked that Gore had offered to support him in 2008 and referred to Gore as "my favorite" in the interview, concluding, "I really have not expressed any public approval or endorsement or preference for any of the Democratic candidates except (Gore)."

Tune into 'This Week' on Sunday, February 25, to watch George's full interview with former President Carter.  Click here to find out when 'This Week' airs in your town.

February 23, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (108)

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Re-Elect Gore in 2008

Posted by: Sellitman | Feb 23, 2007 4:46:57 PM

Why would you attack a man of peace? Regardless of his administration look at what he has accomplished since then. The guy does more with his free time than any of you would even think about, and he does it for the benefit of others. A man with his amount of dedication and selflisness deserves to be heard (Nobel Peace Prize recepient at that!)

Carter didn't usher in Khomeini anyhow, only someone silly would believe that. Our meddling with the right of Iran's sovereignity and self-determinitation with Operation Ajax set that course into action.

What's wrong with an activist anyways? Were our founding fathers not activists? Was Martin Luther King Jr not an activist? Was Gandhi not an activist?

Gore's focus on the environment could free us from our reliance on oil (ONE of the reason why I'm here in Iraq) which would solve more than one of our problems, not to mention the big money that is playing puppeteer with our current presidency.

I say: Go for it Gore!

Posted by: 2nd Term Iraq Veteran | Feb 23, 2007 4:49:17 PM

Clara, chill. This is America, where we don't worship our ex-presidents, especially the ones that are an embarrassment.
Carter is NOT the best ex-president ever. He has endorsed a number of fraudulent elections and helped tyrants consolidate their power. From Fujimori to Chavez, Haiti to Africa. His observers are a bunch of communists (I know, I've met some of them and debated a few and seen some of them in observations--not very sincere). Oh, and it's no small thing: Carter is an ANTI SEMITE. Carter is for Gore? Then I KNOW I can't vote for Al. I'd vote for Barack before Al, and Clinton before Gore, but I'll vote for Giuliani or McCain before any of them.

Posted by: Curtis | Feb 23, 2007 4:50:22 PM

Who are these morons calling Carter the Worst Presidnet Ever? EVERYONE knows that title goes to George W. Bush...not even a close contest.

Posted by: whoya kiddin | Feb 23, 2007 4:53:26 PM

Pure black and white conservative thinking:

"Oh my God, just based on the fact that the "Man" is a global warming activist is frighting. The biggest terroists that we need to face these days are the activist, the Health and Safety freaks, Big Pharma, and those that think that their way of thinking are enough to keep eroding our "Rights." Go back to farming Mr. Carter you've done enough damage to this country already by pardoning "Cowards." The blood of our brothers are still soaking the grounds and I in turn would give my blood so that their Honor can be Blessed. "

Posted by: Reason | Feb 23, 2007 4:57:10 PM

Say what you want about Jimmy Carter,
he was an honest man. That's a whole
lot more than can be said about the
current resident in the White House.

Posted by: grennels | Feb 23, 2007 4:58:12 PM

"TELL CARTER TO SHUT UP; HE WAS THE WORST PRESIDENT,WE EVER HAD."

Actually, he polls better than Bush. Carter did not invade Iraq with a lie.

Posted by: Reason | Feb 23, 2007 4:58:15 PM

"""Clara, chill. This is America, where we don't worship our ex-presidents, especially the ones that are an embarrassment."""


Hey, Curt. Pull your head out.
Jimmy Carter is respected all over
the world.

You want an embarrassment. Look
no further than the current simian
denizen of the White House. Just
for a laugh check out Shrubs international approval ratings.

Oh, that's right, world opinion don't mean squat to some people.

Posted by: grennels | Feb 23, 2007 5:04:56 PM

There have been worse presidents than Jimmy Carter - remember Richard Nixon - "I am not a crook"?

The Unites States of America needs a LEADER to guide this country back onto the right track and there is not a single candidate yet that has the type leadership qualities that will be required past 2008.

Al Gore or Colin Powell are the ONLY people that that have a chance. ANY OTHER CANDIDATE will create the same problems that Bush has and the United States Of America as we know it today will no longer exist.


Posted by: Omicron Delta | Feb 23, 2007 5:10:37 PM

Wow. This comment section is a perfect example of how we end up with the people we do in oval office.

Ignorant, closed minds, relying on media hype or heresay instead of fact - bah, it makes me sick to my stomach.

Jimmy Carter may not have been the nation's best president, but he is a good man, with good intentions and a good message - what are you people, in 5th grade?

I am by NO means a fan of "W" either, but the day I start acting like I'm 12 years old by name calling and slinging around incorrect information and my own unsubstantiated accusations, then PLEASE take away my voter card.

I wish Al Gore success in ANYTHING he does to help this country, in any capacity.

Posted by: Jennifer | Feb 23, 2007 5:21:36 PM

While Carter may have had his serious faults as President, he's one of the finest MEN on the planet. The guy builds houses for poor people, for God's sake. Gore already has my vote, I hope he runs.

Posted by: JJ | Feb 23, 2007 5:32:34 PM

Many seem to forget that during those years of the Arab Oil boycott in 1973, Carter vehemently proposed major conservation and environmental controls in order to save the nation from oil dependence on foreign sources. He was ignored and even mocked by the press and the public who cringed at the costs. Now look at us, mired in an oil war, and spending money like water to get us out of the miserable hole we're in globally. Thanks John q. public!

Posted by: Edward | Feb 23, 2007 5:38:05 PM

I particularly liked the "cowardly little weasel" comment in reference to a President who served in the military with distinction. Sounds oddly familiar to the cowardly John Kerry, the cowardly Senator Murtha, the cowardly congressman from Georgia who was crippled in the Vietnam war while neo-conservatives Bush, Cheney Wolfowitz, Libby et al were getting drunk at Happy Hour, flunking out of school and getting DWIs. The audacity of the neo-conservatives discrediting and calling Americans who fought for their country COWARDS is truly enlightening. Shut Up and Go Fight My Wars for ME!

Posted by: Richard | Feb 23, 2007 5:38:38 PM

"Well, Reagan's domestic program's hurt many of our most vulnerable. But ideology be damned, he lead and deregulation and tax cuts unleashed our economic engine while monetary policy under Volker completed a tour de force in removing Jimmy's "crisis of confidence" pep talk from memory.
Well, Reagan's domestic program's hurt many of our most vulnerable. But ideology be damned, he lead and deregulation and tax cuts unleashed our economic engine while monetary policy under Volker completed a tour de force in removing Jimmy's "crisis of confidence" pep talk from memory."


Ah yes.....

Such intense hatred, such ignorance of our own history.....

I also was disgusted with Carter by the end of his four years. I found him appallingly feckless, but you know something?

I know who appointed Volker in the first place, too.....


Oh, and one other thing.....

Reagan's prosperity was built upon deficit spending, just like every liberal president before him going back to FDR.

"Conservative" my backside!

Pfft!

Posted by: oddjob | Feb 23, 2007 5:43:25 PM

Gore won legally last time and SHOULD HAVE BEEN President. The world would have been better and the US where is should be - STRONG, RESPECTED AND LEADING THE FUTURE. All I can say is we lost the best then. I HOPE WITH ALL MY HEART THAT GORE RUNS!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Ann | Feb 23, 2007 5:52:39 PM

Spewing hate. That's what the hard right base are best at right now. Rather worry about a president for THE SEVENTIES, than the chump we have right now. Sad, sad, sad...

Posted by: Nick | Feb 23, 2007 5:55:04 PM

Good lord, are there really people who think Carter is a worse president than Bush? Sure, Carter didnt grab the reins in the way that he should have, but he is a decent, caring, intelligent man.

Bush, on the other hand, is a catastrophe in every sphere. The painful consequences of his decisions on war, energy and inaction on climate change will reverberate for decades.

I dont know if Gore would be allowed to make the changes necessary if he were president. But i'm doubtful anyone will. People, open your eyes. If even a quarter of the possible effects of climate change and "peak oil" materialize, we are in big, big trouble.

Posted by: AdamfromVan | Feb 23, 2007 5:57:49 PM

Al Gore please Run.........We need you. I will VOTE FOR YOU! and only you. I will not even show up for anyone else.

Posted by: kim | Feb 23, 2007 6:42:25 PM

Sheesh- what better way to lower a candidates chances to win- have Jimmy Carter endorse them. That loses him potential votes right there.

Posted by: reasonwarrior | Feb 23, 2007 6:51:40 PM

Michael Richter, do you seriously think the cold war would ahve ever ended unded the likes of Carter? Face it, contrary to what all the liberals said, Reagan did not bring us to nuclear war but rather eded the cold war due to America's superior strength that USSR simply could not match. It was a very prudent policy that clearly paid off. We are far better off withthe likes of Ronnie than all the Jimmys of the world!

Posted by: Duncan | Feb 23, 2007 6:56:23 PM

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