WASHINGTON — A former aide to Jimmy Carter once conceded that his boss had no real understanding of the ceremonial aspects of the presidency or nuances of foreign policy.
Despite his achievements in bringing Egypt and Israel together at Camp David, Carter demonstrated the accuracy of that comment over and over again while in office and continues to do so when he isn't building houses for the poor.
His criticism of President Bush's "axis of evil" comment in the State of the Union address as "counterproductive" and "simplistic" not only breaks the solid front of support for America's war effort by former presidents, it exacerbates tensions between congressional Democrats and the White House over the conduct of the conflict. The last thing needed now is a crack in unity from anyone with the stature of a former chief executive, even one with Carter's shaky reputation.
Senate Democratic leader Tom Daschle of South Dakota reiterated Sunday that he believes Congress has a constitutional obligation to ask questions about the pursuit of the conflict. But even Daschle refused to support Carter's contention that the Bush statement was intemperate and would make it more difficult to resolve our problems with North Korea and Iran, which were lumped with Iraq in the "axis."
If anyone should know about counterproductive and simplistic policies in the Persian Gulf, it is Carter, whose own stumbling activities in that region helped bring about the current situation, particularly in Iran, where his failure to resolve the seizure of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and the hostage crisis that followed helped cost him re-election, seriously damaged worldwide esteem for America and established Iran as a key sponsor of terrorism.
For that reason alone, "Old Cut and Run," as he became known in some circles — including his own Democratic Party, should keep his opinions to himself. At least, that's what former Presidents Clinton, Bush and Ford have done when they disagreed. The only other living former chief executive, Ronald Reagan, is in no position to speak out, but there is no doubt whatsoever where he would come down on this matter if he could.
The danger is that Carter's remarks will be portrayed overseas as a break in domestic support for the president's policies, a concern that Republicans have almost hysterically expressed about Daschle's remarks, including his statement that success in the war depends on the elimination of Osama bin Laden. Carter's former White House status makes his comments far more exploitable worldwide than Daschle's.
The Senate Democratic leader said Sunday he is most supportive of the president's conduct of the war and that he will continue to be but that Congress has a special obligation to ask how the United States defines defeat and success, what is after Afghanistan and what are the goals. He said that spending nearly $4 trillion on defense in the coming decade requires such inquiries. He is correct. Undoubtedly those questions will be asked — probably more often in an election year, as this is.
On the other hand, Republicans are equally accurate in their concerns about the image overseas and in their contention that bin Laden is just one figure in a large mosaic. The worldwide network is so broad that destroying one man, while a severe blow to al-Qaida and a major morale boost for America and its allies, certainly would not mean an end to terrorism.
There also is irony in Daschle's sudden concern about defense spending and the drain it has on the domestic programs Democrats clearly see as their only real chance of winning back control of the House and strengthening their grip on the Senate this fall. In the immediate aftermath of Sept. 11, Democrats were seriously questioning whether Bush's budget for fighting terrorism both at home and abroad was sufficient. Over White House objections, they unsuccessfully sought to add billions of dollars to the effort.
As the war wears on, there is bound to be a significant strain on the post-Sept. 11 unity among Democrats and Republicans, particularly regarding a conflict that has no real borders or easily defined lines and stretches around the globe. Obviously, Afghanistan is far from over, with a major battle raging over the last few days against al-Qaida forces trying to regroup.
Daschle, in his legislative role, can legitimately ask questions without being seen as unpatriotic. He has done so. But he should make it abundantly clear that when it comes to the defense of this nation, he is as one with the president. At the same time, he should urge Carter to control his own pontificating impulses.
Dan K. Thomasson is former editor of the Scripps Howard News Service.