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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsJimmy Carter's 'Crisis of Confidence' speech. Discuss....
I watched 20th Century Women, starring Annette Bening this afternoon. One of the themes is the difference in attitudes between generations of women in 1979.
There was an excellent scene where Bening, playing a middle-aged woman was watching Jimmy Carter's Crisis of Confidencespeech with her younger friends. Bening thought the speech was excellent, her young friends were saying: "Oh, he is so screwed now!" As it turned out, the younger people were right; Reagan and his bunch spun this as the 'malaise' speech.
I believe this is the excerpt from the movie:
Here's the transcript of the entire speech from PBS and the actual speech:
If you were old enough to remember that time, what was your reaction? Much of this was what the country needed to hear; but, was this a good move by a president nearing time for re-election?
Va Lefty
(6,252 posts)He was roundly criticized, but it rang true. He ran in '76 promising "I'll never lie to you." Often the American public is not very happy to hear the truth. They would much rather believe a lie that makes the feel good about themselves. Carter was not a good speaker but, an honest man.
HassleCat
(6,409 posts)Too many Americans thought they built it themselves, and didn't appreciate the president reminding them of their debt to society.
roamer65
(36,747 posts)yallerdawg
(16,104 posts)it was always inspirational to hear from a president who cared about the people. I always found my head nodding in agreement with this good, virtuous man who led us during some real rough times.
All the traditions of our past, all the lessons of our heritage, all the promises of our future point to another path, the path of common purpose and the restoration of American values. That path leads to true freedom for our nation and ourselves...
Truer words have never been spoken.