Former President Jimmy Carter marked his 90th birthday today with a lengthy interview on CNBC Meets where he discussed his one term in office and the one thing he would have handled differently – the Iran Hostage Crisis.
Carter suggested Operation Eagle Claw, a failed 1980 attempt to rescue the hostages taken by Iranian revolutionaries at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, could have been successful if he committed one more helicopter to the mission.
“I think I would have been re-elected easily if I had been able to rescue our hostages from the Iranians,” Carter said. “And everybody asks me what would do more, I would say I would send one more helicopter because if I had one more helicopter, we could have brought out not only the 52 hostages, but also brought out the rescue team, and when that failed, then I think that was the main factor that brought about my failure to be re-elected. So that’s one thing I would change.”
Operation Eagle Claw was aborted after three of the helicopters taking part in the mission experienced mechanical problems.
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I don’t know if that he would have been reelected President would have been better
“could have been successful if he committed one more helicopter to the mission”
Well guess what? You didn’t. You should be charged with MURDER for the deaths of eight American servicemen! But then again, you’re a Democrat so, oops my bad, no harm done.
He looks pretty good for an 90 year old man.
you could’ve would’ve should’ve but you DIDN’T
Jimmy, can you spare me some peanuts?
WHAT A JOKE!!!! ONE HELICOPTER WOULD HAVE SAVED THEM?????? ALSO , HE WAS DESTINED TO LOSE AGAINST A STRONG CANDIDATE LIKE REAGAN…… ONE CONSOLATION TO HIM.. HE MAY NOT GO DOWN AS THE ABSOLUTE WORST PRESIDENT IN MODERN TIMES!!! OUR CURRENT PRESIDENT MAY WIN THAT ONE…..
His next quote will be that if he had one more peanut to find in his farming experience, he would have been a better patriot. To bad Jimmy. The helicopters flying are not your sixth sense.
jimmy carter was told russia is attacking and did nothing ……..
he was lucky it was mistake
To #3: did u ever here the expression “a naar eltert zich nisht”?
Actually, that is not why Mr. Carter failed in his reelection bid. He lost because during the debate he mentioned that he asked his daughter Amy what in her opinion is the most important issue facing the world, and she responded that it was the increased threat of nuclear war. He lost because the American public felt insecure that the President of the United States was seeking guidance from a 13 year old.
His failure to act decisively against Iran at that time led directly to the fanatic brutal rule of Islamic theocracy not only in Iran but throughout the entire Moslem world.
Ironically, Mr. Carter’s inaction enabled a self fulfilling prophecy. Had he not played a tacit role in the removal of the Shah, the world would not be facing today the threat of a nuclear armed Iran under the leadership of terrorist Mullahs, which indeed is the single most important issue facing the world.
In short, Mr. Carter is responsible not only for the death of 8 American servicemen, but rather for the destruction of MILLIONS of innocent Americans, Europeans and yes, even Moslems at the hands of Islamic jihadists and other terrorists.
Yes, the Shah’s regime was oppressive, but at least it brought stability to the region. After the fall of the Shah that stability was replaced by bloodbaths not seen since World War Two.
Although one commentator suggested that the title of worst President in modern times is rightfully earned by our current chief executive, one ought to remember that inept as he is, Mr Obama has to play the bad hand dealt to him by Mr. Carter.
No, the failed mission didn’t do you in that year, it was your complete failure as a president that did that.
The failed mission only served to confirm what we already knew.
You and your kenyan buddy are the same person, and your commonality doesn’t stop with being presidential failures.