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Carter Will Not Endorse Until The Convention
April 13, 2008 5:59 AM
ABC News' Mary Bruce Reports: Former President Jimmy Carter confirmed in an exclusive "This Week" interview with George Stephanopoulos that he will not be endorsing any time soon. "The only thing I know is that, I have not made an endorsement, and don't intend to, until the time of the convention."
Despite previously dropping hints in favor of Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., Carter said "I'll let you make your own judgment...about my inclinations. I've told you what I -- as much as I intend to reveal."
On the state of the Democratic race, Carter said he agreed that superdelegates should not overturn the will of the people but that "any superdelegate who wishes to deviate from that opinion should be perfectly free to do so." He went on to warn that "it would be a very serious mistake for the Democratic Party... if a candidate had the majority of popular votes, the majority of delegates and a majority of states -- all three -- were the superdelegates to vote contrary to that, I think it would be very difficult to explain."
Carter harkened back to his own experience in 1980, when asked whether the lengthy 2008 nomination process is hurting the Democratic process. "The Democratic Party, unfortunately, was split very badly. And maybe it was my fault, because I didn't hold it together while I was president. But you may or may not remember that on the reviewing stand at the convention, after I clearly defeated Senator Kennedy two-to-one, he refused to shake my hand, ostentatiously, and made it clear to his supporters that he was not supporting me." So, you know, that was a situation that I think, I hope was unique in American Democratic politics. And I don't have any doubt, at this point, that no matter who wins at the Democratic convention, that the other candidate and all of the Democratic delegates will fully support the one who is finally chosen."
April 13, 2008 in Tancredo, Tom | Permalink | User Comments (195)
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Democratic leaders are cowards standing by as the Clinton"s destroy the party...
Posted by: stan | Apr 13, 2008 6:22:39 AM
I think it is Obama who has destroyed the Democratic Party. Certain Democratic Party leaders supporting Obama just because of their jealous for not able to become President is evident. Kennedy and Kerry are just a few two to name.
FI and MI votes must be counted. I am surprised the super delegates have continued to support this inexperienced person even after the unpatriotic pastor news and his continued support to his pastor, and now this small town talks. OBAMA you should drop out, you are unelectable,
Posted by: GS | Apr 13, 2008 6:30:18 AM
If Obama is the democratic nominee, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY ADULT LIFE I WILL BE VOTING A REPUBLICAN FOR PRESIDENT.
Posted by: giz | Apr 13, 2008 6:37:19 AM
I respect you very much former Pres. Carter. However, you still have in mind what happened to you and still you do not step up and rescue the Party from spliting up.
All Super Delegates who haven't shown their role of putting things right, should be blamed in case things turn sour!
Posted by: Peace | Apr 13, 2008 6:45:13 AM
GS--You argument as to why certain Democratic Party leaders are supporting Obama seems a big childish to me. Those people have been in politics long enough to be able to accept all the hardship that come their way.
I know some of their decisions can be based on pure interest, but to simply tied their action to jealousy is dubious to me.
Posted by: Lance D. | Apr 13, 2008 7:04:22 AM
Jimmy Carter? Isn't he meeting with Hamas this week for Obama? Why not just endorse him and get it over with.
Posted by: Kenny from CT. | Apr 13, 2008 7:11:25 AM
Those who will vote Republican if Obama is the nominee you have another thing coming because many, and even more if Hillary steals the nomination with supers, Obama supporters will vote Republican if Hillary is the nominee. I despise that manipulative, say anything to win, destroy your fellow Democrat, flip-flop on war and Nafta, multi-million dollar, arrogant Hillary Clinton.
Posted by: Anthony | Apr 13, 2008 7:14:24 AM
So Carter is pro Obama. Ok
Obama is already endorsed by Carters arch enemy Kennedy.
Kennedy refused to drop out of the Democratic primary in 1980 (like Clinton) and took it all the way to the 2nd last day of the convention.
Kennedy wants Clinton to drop out.
Carter wants the delegates to follow the will of the people.
Kennedy the Sen from MA endorses the candidate who didn't win the state he represents.
Obama doesn't want old Washington politics but seeks former President Carters endorsement and celebrates the endorsement of the countries second longest serving senator - Kennedy.
This is like those relationships on the soaps.
Posted by: what to make of this | Apr 13, 2008 7:18:27 AM
Kenny from CT write:
Jimmy Carter? Isn't he meeting with Hamas this week for Obama? Why not just endorse him and get it over with.
----------------------------------
Where do you get your news? At the McDonald counter? Or maybe you believe in everything Newt Gingrich says.
You cannot compare a peace activist and a politician. In case you don't know Carter is a RENOWN peace activist and Obama is a politician.
By the way I found Gingrich's attitude very hypocritical. He says one thing to the republican audience and another thing to the rest of America. Isn't he the one who praised the race speech of Obama, then turned and said Carter and Obama had the same agenda?
That kind of hypocrisy from on part of Gingrich remind me the Lewinsky scandal. We just learned recently he had his own affair back then while pretending to have higher moral grounds.
Posted by: Lance D. | Apr 13, 2008 7:33:36 AM
What Carter fails to point out is that Kennedy is now a prominent Obama supporter - still feeling so-entitled, with that spoiled brat personality of his that he prematurely endorsed a candidate who has insufficient experience, hasn't been properly vetted and who now risks splitting the Democratic Party apart in 2008.
People have been blaming Clinton for the emerging divisions - that's not fair. Carter, in this interview, gives us the opportunity to place blame where it belongs - That spoiled brat Ted Kennedy et al who think they can hijack the Democratic Party and create a far left enclave.
There's still time in the Primary season to let the DNC know that traditional Democrats want their voices to be heard.
Hillary Clinton in 2008!!!!!!
Posted by: s, valenti | Apr 13, 2008 8:15:08 AM
Carter is a liberal. He always was. He is also from georgia and his neck of the woods supported Obama over Clinton.
He doenst mention that they will support Mc Cain over Obama, but thats another story.
I like Carter. He was a lousy president but great humanitarian. He can endorse Obama. It wont hurt Clinton. Carter doesnt have much clout for being president.
Carter is a true liberal democrat. These folks tolerated the Clintons. They never LIKED them. Clintons are too far to the center . But they won the white house for 2 terms, and they liked that.
Posted by: tomdavie | Apr 13, 2008 8:21:15 AM
It's cute how Obama supporters attack Hillary because she downed a shot and yet they say nothing about their candidates love affair with the Marlboro man.
If this is a big deal, the supporters are clearly bankrupt of any important issues.
Posted by: S | Apr 13, 2008 8:22:25 AM
So this morning Carter says someone has to encourage Hamas to stop attacks on innocent civilians in Israel.
Excuse me President Carter, Hamas is a terrorist organization, how about stopping all attacks on Israel!
How about if Al Quaeda just targets US millitary instilations in the US and abroad, or government buildings? Is that OK.
What Carter just said was that its ok for Hamas as a terrorist group to attack the Israeli military inside Israel.
That is not ok President Carter and you should be ashamed of yourself.
Posted by: s.b. | Apr 13, 2008 8:28:15 AM
And why do we care who Carter endorses - he was the worst president ever elected and anyone who would want his endorsement is nuts!
Posted by: Ravenhair49 | Apr 13, 2008 8:30:53 AM
What's wrong the Carter talking to terrorists? Obama is on record as saying he would do the same. Double standards?
Posted by: S | Apr 13, 2008 8:31:21 AM
The DNC and high powered Democrat leaders are the ones Destroying the Democratic Party.
They had ample notice of the States of Florida and Michigan Governing bodies, changing the voting dates. They failed the people and the democratic party by not Adapting and permit that.
They were playing God and Political fixers with peoples votes.
They told the people of those states, their votes do not count and that they do not care.
They tried to pressure super delegates to commit to a candidate publicly before the convention. Trying to sway voting.
They Talked down on certain candidates trying to sway voting.
So The DNC and high power Democrats and their boy toy Obama to thank, for the Strain on the party.
Posted by: seah | Apr 13, 2008 8:32:58 AM
Ravenhair...You say Carter was the worst President ever. Have you been in a coma the last 7 plus years?
Posted by: davis | Apr 13, 2008 8:33:55 AM
I suppose it means Obama begged Carter NOT to endorse him.
Posted by: geevill | Apr 13, 2008 8:46:03 AM
Lance D.
Republicans are responsible for Cuban oppression???
Remember -- Carter was president for four years and followed the same basic policies. Now he's your hero.
Bipolar?
Posted by: S | Apr 13, 2008 8:47:04 AM
So this morning Carter says someone has to encourage Hamas to stop attacks on innocent civilians in Israel.
Excuse me President Carter, Hamas is a terrorist organization, how about stopping all attacks on Israel!
--S.B.
----------------------------------
You argument is not very logical. The only way one can be certain that attacks from Hamas don't kill civilians is if they stop those attacks.
So to convince Hamas to stop killing innocent civilians means to convince them to stop their attacks all together.
There are many organizations around the worlds that were called terrorists but many of them are now part of the political process in their countries. I hope you know the history of North Ireland and ANC in South Africa to name a few.
Posted by: Lance D. | Apr 13, 2008 8:51:05 AM
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