# Senile Jimmy Carter Explains Animosity Toward President Obama **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 17, 2009, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senile-jimmy-carter-explains-animosity-toward-president-obama/510464 "2009-09-17T17:43:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![Jodi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7feea3/32.png) [@Jodi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jodi)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2009, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senile-jimmy-carter-explains-animosity-toward-president-obama/510464/161 "2009-09-19T18:34:56Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > This whole thing sickens us. Without their being any prevalent, intelligence right wingers, we’re left without a balance for the left wing. We know that the left wing can’t be entirely right, so we actually are starting to become more conservative to fight what we see as a leftward bias. But this is faulty reasoning. It isn’t _really_ like a plank on a fulcrum (a teeter-totter), such that if the weight on one end moves further toward their end, you must move further towards yours in order to maintain the balance. If the middle represents your philosophy, then stick with the middle. You shouldn’t let anyone else force you or provoke you to move anywhere anyhow. This Board isn’t a good place to look for moderate liberals anyway, IMO, so you have to be careful not to generalize the political reality from what you read here. The problem is that the rational middle isn’t newsworthy, sexy, or strident. ---
**Author:** ![Punoqllads](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/d2c977/32.png) [@Punoqllads](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Punoqllads)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2009, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senile-jimmy-carter-explains-animosity-toward-president-obama/510464/162 "2009-09-20T23:29:09Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Jeffrey\_Lebowski](#): > > I would argue that they probably are (or at least much less likely to be a Dem), and that most likely _all_ voted R last November. Definitely not all: [http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2008/10/on-road-western-pennsylvania.html](http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2008/10/on-road-western-pennsylvania.html) > [@](#): > > So a canvasser goes to a woman’s door in Washington, Pennsylvania. Knocks. Woman answers. Knocker asks who she’s planning to vote for. She isn’t sure, has to ask her husband who she’s voting for. Husband is off in another room watching some game. Canvasser hears him yell back, “We’re votin’ for the n\*\*\*er!” > > Woman turns back to canvasser, and says brightly and matter of factly: “We’re voting for the n\*\*\*er.” ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2009, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senile-jimmy-carter-explains-animosity-toward-president-obama/510464/163 "2009-09-21T00:39:37Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Without their being any prevalent, intelligence right wingers, we’re left without a balance for the left wing. Why is one necessary? ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2009, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senile-jimmy-carter-explains-animosity-toward-president-obama/510464/164 "2009-09-21T02:58:21Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > There is no inconsistency there, m’kay? You’re trying too hard. No, not inconsistent. Just flat out wrong. You said Carter’s remark wasn’t about Wilson’s comment, when it clearly was. You’re not trying hard enough. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Jeffrey\_Lebowski](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_jeffrey_lebowski/32/215_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Jeffrey\_Lebowski](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Jeffrey_Lebowski)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2009, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senile-jimmy-carter-explains-animosity-toward-president-obama/510464/165 "2009-09-21T05:08:49Z")
> [@Punoqllads](#): > > Definitely not all: [http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2008/10/on-road-western-pennsylvania.html](http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2008/10/on-road-western-pennsylvania.html) :eek: ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2009, 10:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senile-jimmy-carter-explains-animosity-toward-president-obama/510464/166 "2009-09-21T10:06:04Z")
> [@Contrapuntal](#): > > No, not inconsistent. Just flat out wrong. You said Carter’s remark wasn’t about Wilson’s comment, when it clearly was. I’m afraid “clearly” isn’t going to be good enough. I’m holding out for “explicitly” Can anyone find (and link to) the raw footage of the remarks, so as to support that? Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2009, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senile-jimmy-carter-explains-animosity-toward-president-obama/510464/167 "2009-09-21T12:18:28Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Why is one necessary? Because we’ve seen what one-party states are like, and we’re not interested. Ideologues always pull too far unless restrained. Moderation is the essence of democracy, and with the opposing force of differing opinion, it is eventually consumed by radicalism. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2009, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senile-jimmy-carter-explains-animosity-toward-president-obama/510464/168 "2009-09-21T14:26:50Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Because we’ve seen what one-party states are like, and we’re not interested. > > Ideologues always pull too far unless restrained. Moderation is the essence of democracy, and with the opposing force of differing opinion, it is eventually consumed by radicalism. By global standards, most American “leftists” are centrists. If they have to have competition/counterbalance, why can’t it come from their left? ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2009, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senile-jimmy-carter-explains-animosity-toward-president-obama/510464/169 "2009-09-21T15:16:26Z")
There are no “global standards”: each political system’s left and right are unique. For instance, plenty of countries that you would consider to the “left” of America have such things as state religions, official languages and even monarchies - all right-wing concepts. Besides, if all you have is moderates and radicals from the same side, the radicals will soon take over the show - this always happens when a single political party has absolute control. Radicals need radicals from the opposite side of the map to neutralize them, leaving control in the hands of the political center, where it belongs. Radicalism is the enemy of democracy. Now, if you want to nudge the American political scene to the left, that’s fine. But the proper way to do it is slowly, by gradually changing perceptions in both major political parties. You don’t do it by eliminating the opposition. ---
**Author:** ![Alienhand](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8edcca/32.png) [@Alienhand](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alienhand)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2009, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senile-jimmy-carter-explains-animosity-toward-president-obama/510464/170 "2009-09-21T15:57:06Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > I’m afraid “clearly” isn’t going to be good enough. I’m holding out for “explicitly” Can anyone find (and link to) the raw footage of the remarks, so as to support that? > > Thanks. The only clip I’ve come across is [AP’s clip](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qA4W70E6krk) without the question. AFAIK AP hasn’t posted a longer clip and no one else has posted the full video of the conference. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2009, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senile-jimmy-carter-explains-animosity-toward-president-obama/510464/171 "2009-09-21T16:16:01Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Now, if you want to nudge the American political scene to the left, that’s fine. But the proper way to do it is slowly, by gradually changing perceptions in both major political parties. You don’t do it by eliminating the opposition. **BigT’s** complaint, in post #158, seems to be that the opposition is eliminating itself. ---
**Author:** ![Dick\_Dastardly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c4cdca/32.png) [@Dick\_Dastardly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dick_Dastardly)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2009, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senile-jimmy-carter-explains-animosity-toward-president-obama/510464/172 "2009-09-21T16:27:51Z")
> [@ralph124c](#): > > Where does Carter get off lecturing us again? He just KNOWS that anybody who disgrees with Obama is a racist! > I wish Carter would stick to Habitat for Humanity. I am getting tired of his senile ravings.:eek: I don’t think it’s true that the overwhelming majority of the animosity towards Obama is fuelled by racism. A Democratic President doesn’t need a black skin to become the target of looney-tune vilification as Bill Clinton proved, but racism plays a big part in the American political psyche and it’s definitely a constituent part of the hate directed at Obama. When Obama was elected President he deprived millions of Americans of their right not to have a black President, that has to generate a reaction somewhere and we’re now seeing it. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2009, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senile-jimmy-carter-explains-animosity-toward-president-obama/510464/173 "2009-09-21T16:34:49Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > **BigT’s** complaint, in post #158, seems to be that the opposition is eliminating itself. True. You and I seem to disagree on whether this is a good thing. I happen to believe that all elected officials should be good at what they do, even those I disagree with. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2009, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senile-jimmy-carter-explains-animosity-toward-president-obama/510464/174 "2009-09-21T16:43:43Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > True. > > You and I seem to disagree on whether this is a good thing. I happen to believe that all elected officials should be good at what they do, even those I disagree with. But, does that also apply to all political parties? ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2009, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senile-jimmy-carter-explains-animosity-toward-president-obama/510464/175 "2009-09-21T16:50:42Z")
I do not see the problem. There is a racist component in the anti Obama rhetoric. Does anyone actually believe racism is gone? Where would you look for a racist ? Start at Fox and then head toward the Republican party. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2009, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senile-jimmy-carter-explains-animosity-toward-president-obama/510464/176 "2009-09-21T17:15:44Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > But, does that also apply to all political parties? Yes, absolutely. I think the political class as a whole should be as capable, talented and intelligent as possible. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2009, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senile-jimmy-carter-explains-animosity-toward-president-obama/510464/177 "2009-09-21T17:26:15Z")
I’d kinda prefer that people working against what I see as our interests be incompetent at it. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2009, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senile-jimmy-carter-explains-animosity-toward-president-obama/510464/178 "2009-09-21T17:28:56Z")
Doesn’t matter, the rich can hire the ruthless, the cynical, and the talented. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2009, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senile-jimmy-carter-explains-animosity-toward-president-obama/510464/179 "2009-09-21T17:50:37Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > I’d kinda prefer that people working against what I see as our interests be incompetent at it. I wouldn’t, if only because a decent rival raises the bar and forces my side to do better. Call me naive, but I refuse to see my fellow citizens as the enemy. The bottom line is that we all want what’s best for the country. And yes, I’m going to keep on saying that until people start believing it. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2009, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senile-jimmy-carter-explains-animosity-toward-president-obama/510464/180 "2009-09-21T17:51:32Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Yes, absolutely. I think the political class as a whole should be as capable, talented and intelligent as possible. But, you do not believe, do you, that every political ideology or viewpoint is equally intelligent (even allowing for extra- or pre-intellectual differences between cultures, traditions and values)? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senile-jimmy-carter-explains-animosity-toward-president-obama/510464.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senile-jimmy-carter-explains-animosity-toward-president-obama/510464.md?page=10)