Just as I thought they were going to start playing Johnny Mercer/Harold Arlen’s oldie “Ac-cent-tchu-ate The Positive (Mister in-Between)” in the convention hall, former President Jimmy Carter came out swinging. God bless him. Seems that Carter–party statesman, nearly 80 years old–didn’t have to run the gauntlet of DNC apparatchiks screening speeches for any harsh anti-Bush rhetoric. Carter spoke forthrightly, deploring the fact that the “Middle East is ablaze,” and blasting Bush’s extremism, deceit and exploitation of American’s fears.
As America’s 39th President, rightly insisted, “the Middle East peace process has come to a screeching halt for the first time since Israel became a nation. All former presidents, Democratic and Republican, have attempted to secure a comprehensive peace for Israel with hope and justice for the Palestinians.” That is until 43. (Click here to read the full text of Carter’s remarks.)
