Jimmy Carter

Jimmy Carter was the 39th President of the United States. His presidency, from 1977 to 1981, was marred by several crises including the Iran Hostage Crisis, fuel shortages, and the Russian invasion of Afghanistan. At the same time, other policies related to the environment, energy, and foreign policy are considered noteworthy if not wholly successful.

According to reports in mid June of 2009, Carter escaped an assassination attempt by Palestinian militants during his visit to the Gaza Strip. Hamas forces were said to have been seen detonating two bombs planted at a border crossing between Gaza and Israel meant for Carter's vehicle. Hamas Interior Ministry spokesman Ihab al-Rassin denied the reports stating that "the group's forces had engaged in routine activity and had no information of an assassination attempt."Haaretz: Hamas foiled plot to assassinate Carter in Gaza' (June 16, 2009)

Jimmy Carter has softened his stance that criticism of President Obama is based on racism.

"If you read the remarks carefully, you'll see that's not what I said. I said those that had a personal attack on President Obama as a person, that was tinged with racism. But I recognize that people who disagree with him on health care or the environment, that the vast majority of those are not tinged by racism."

Jimmy Cater has stated in an interview on September 15, 2009 that Rep. Joe Wilson's "You lie!" outburst was based on racism.

He went on to say that "There is an inherent feeling among many in this country that an African-American should not be president."

Since leaving the presidency Jimmy Carter, along with his wife Rosalynn, has been active in various charity and humanitarian groups including Habitat for Humanity. Carter has also been extensively involved in foreign policy, and it is for these efforts that he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.

Carter officially endorsed Democratic Senator Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential race on June 3, 2008.

In April of 2008 Jimmy Carter traveled to Israel, the Gaza Strip and The West Bank to work on mediations in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict. His choice to speak with leaders of Hamas generated criticism that he was overly sympathetic to the more aggressive factions within Palestine. This criticism follows the publication of his controversial book Palestine Peace Not Apartheid, in 2006.

Despite these criticisms, the peace process saw a small success with the April 21, 2008, announcement that Hamas would accept 1967 Borders established after the Six Day War. This announcement was the first statement made after meetings between Hamas leaders and Jimmy Carter.

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