Is it 1976 all over again? Is Obama the new Jimmy Carter?
I get this idea from, of all people, Democratic strategist Bob Beckel. Beckel was on TV the other day saying that Obama was looking a bit like Jimmy Carter in 1976. Beckel intended this as a compliment. After all, Carter came out of nowhere to steal the Democratic nomination and then went on to win the election. Obama too has vanquished a woman who was thought to be invincible for the Democratic nomination.
I think Beckel has a point with his Carter analogy, although Beckel does not seem to have thought it through deeply enough. Actually it goes even further than he imagines. Obama, like Carter, has had no preparation for the high office he seeks. Carter's background was in peanut farming; Obama's is in community activism. Yes, Carter was governor of Georgia and Obama has served briefly in the Senate. But no one can seriously argue that either brings to Washington anything like the experience necessary to run the United States of America.
Second, Obama, like Carter, tries to be all things to all people. Carter campaigned largely on vacuities like "change" and "cleaning out Washington." Sound familiar? Of course Americans after Watergate wanted Washington cleaned up and they wanted change. And of course Carter gave it to them, although it wasn't exactly the change they sought: stagflation, economic recession, runaway interest rates, U.S. hostages in Iran, a Soviet bear on the prowl, and what Carter himself called a national "malaise."
Obama is hoping that once again Americans will fall for his content-free campaign. And so far he seems to have the white liberal intelligentsia completely fooled. A classic example is my former debate opponent Alan Wolfe, who has endorsed Obama on the sole grounds that it's about time America let a black man into the Oval Office. Wolfe is not the brightest light in the academic firmament--I think of him as white America's answer to Cornel West--but he is one of the biggest opportunists this side of the Nile. Consequently his support of Obama shows which way this academic weatherman thinks the wind is blowing.
I don't know if Obama, like Carter, will make it to the White House in November. But the best thing about Carter was that, by being a complete disaster, he helped Reagan get elected in 1980. Even so, America paid a high price for Carter's foolishness--several countries fell into the Soviet orbit, and Iran fell into the clutches of the radical mullahs. Who knows how costly an Obama presidency could be? I for one hope it's not 1976 all over again.
Reader Comments ( Page 5 of 25)
61. Godless Heathen Brian
Why do you describe expecting parents to take care of their children as a 1950’s "white utopia"? It was not too long ago that most children, including African-American children were born to two parents. The parents worked, educated their kids, and provided discipline and moral guidance in the home. African-Americans had more obstacles to overcome, but we still managed to avoid a current 70% out of wedlock birth rate! Yes, I am pro-life! I am unmarried. I am not financially able to support a child. Guess what; I practice celibacy. Unintended pregnancy problem solved. It is time that irresponsible behavior was condemned.
janesophie1 at 1:42PM on Jun 18th 2008
62. Keith J. Mohrhoff,
Don’t put your email out there; too dangerous, just an FYI. I think that the jobs shipped overseas should be brought back to the US. Why can’t Americans manufacture toys and make medicines? Think of how many jobs could be provided at home if companies employed Americans.
janesophie1 at 1:53PM on Jun 18th 2008
63. Jane, people do stupid things all the time. The problem is that you cant regulate stupidity by law. Out of wedlock babies will happen no matter what you try to do. Your reasons for not being a single mother are the right ones, however you cannot force your way of life on other people.
The 1950's were not even close to being a "white utopia", why? Because everyone was living a self-repressed lifestyle. Everyone was paranoid about communism(terrorism), women were expected to be at home making dinner, and kids were expected to be perfect. Just look at TV shows of the time.
You cannot compare Carter to Obama. They are nothing alike. Its just one more desperation attack by the right. Why? They dont want to lose power. Thats it.
CaptainCack at 1:56PM on Jun 18th 2008
64. "Think of how many jobs could be provided at home if companies employed Americans.
janesophie1 at 1:53PM on Jun 18th 2008"
Janesophie1, for the first time ever, I find myself agreeing with you!
brandon at 1:58PM on Jun 18th 2008
65.
Uhhhh, jane-youignorantslut-sophie, my guess is that your celibacy is not just one of choice....
Of course like most fundi-wackjobs, you could take a discussion about the distance between the earth and the sun and turn it into an abortion argument. Get away from the piano - you only know one note and you're boring the rest of us.
T.Brough at 2:02PM on Jun 18th 2008
66. Obama will make Carter look good.Obama is not ready to tackle all the problems we have now . He is a fraud with flowery speeches but little else. I am astonished that so many people see him as the second coming of jesus. Goes to show you what a nation of sheep you are.If you took a really good look at him, his associates and his policies, you would never vote for him.He will be a disaster folks.
audrey hobbs at 2:03PM on Jun 18th 2008
67. janesophie says; It was not too long ago that most children, including African-American children were born to two parents. The parents worked, educated their kids, and provided discipline and moral guidance in the home. African-Americans had more obstacles to overcome, but we still managed to avoid a current 70% out of wedlock birth rate!
Seven out of the last ten elections have secured the white house for republicans. Why don't you hold their feet to the fire over the collapse of the family?
Jerry Brown at 2:08PM on Jun 18th 2008
68. Guess what; I practice celibacy.
-------------------
I bet that's easy for you. You seem the frigid type. And being a christian, you probably haven't ever had really good sex, so you're not missing it...
Hey, if it's 1950s or 1970s, it's still the past you're living in here. You offer as solutions better education and both parents getting involved, but you expect that to happen HOW? And WHEN? And with WHAT MONEY? And how soon will all that HELP the situation??? I mean, I actually agree with you that it would be great to educate parents more and encourage the family unit, but people aren't the same anymore, they've changed, and even if we started NOW it'd take twenty years for the beneficial effect of the education to take effect in the communities... So what's the answer NOW, since you want Roe V Wade repealed NOW? You have practically admitted that to repeal it now would throw many more unwanted babies into the mix and onto the streets.... Are you gonna adopt them? Hope so...
Godless Heathen Brian at 2:10PM on Jun 18th 2008
69. Obama is not proof that we are sheep. bush is proof that we are (or rather, at least, were) sheep.
Obama will surround himself with experience. If he inspires so many people, why do you call those people sheep? Why not see something good in that inspiration? Perhaps a synergy...the exact type of synergy that can possibly rescue our economy, and turn around our horrific self-image, and image to the world...and help restore what makes us great: our infrastructure, our laws, our constitution, our health. All of the things that bush tore asunder.
No, any one man, with one year, or 50 + years experience cannot possibly accomplish that turnaround. Only a nation of people can accomplish that. So instead of seeing sheep, why not see inspired people ready to act?
America's Most Gangsta at 2:11PM on Jun 18th 2008
70. Actually, what am I saying? PLEASE continue to practice celebacy!
PLEASE!
Godless Heathen Brian at 2:12PM on Jun 18th 2008
71. T.Brough
I did not bring abortion up. Someone asked me a question. I choose to be celibate because God commands that we abstain from pre-marital sex.
janesophie1 at 2:13PM on Jun 18th 2008
72. My son is 18 this year. He's voting for Obama. Now, I mentioned to him that McCain is comparing Obama to Jimmy Carter, and his reaction was telling...
"Jimmy Carter? Who's he? Oh, yeah, the old president a long time ago... Why? Was he bad or something?"
Good tactic, McCain. Hey, next time compare him to charlemagne...
Godless Heathen Brian at 2:18PM on Jun 18th 2008
73. Once I'm married, I'll be having ordained sex in my Lords name, Ah, AH, Jesus Christ, Ahhhhhhhh.
Jan1 at 2:18PM on Jun 18th 2008
74. Hey! What if life begins before conception? I mean, gametes are alive, and human...
That means that every time a woman says no to sex, she's potentially killing a child! JS, you're a mass-murderer for being celibate!
And I'm Pol Pot every time I jack off... Whoa.
Godless Heathen Brian at 2:22PM on Jun 18th 2008
75. Jan, all the atheists I've ever slept with were christians between the sheets...
Oh God! Oh Jesus! Jesus Christ! Alleluia!
Guess it's like the foxholes thing.
Godless Heathen Brian at 2:25PM on Jun 18th 2008