Did Jimmy Carter criticize the spirit of the nation in his famous 1979 "malaise" speech?

Answer 1

Decide for yourself :

"I want to talk to you right now about a fundamental threat to American democracy.... I do not refer to the outward strength of America, a nation that is at peace tonight everywhere in the world, with unmatched economic power and military might."

"The threat is nearly invisible in ordinary ways. It is a crisis of confidence. It is a crisis that strikes at the very heart and soul and spirit of our national will. We can see this crisis in the growing doubt about the meaning of our own lives and in the loss of a unity of purpose for our nation."
...

"Little by little we can and we must rebuild our confidence. We can spend until we empty our treasuries, and we may summon all the wonders of science. But we can succeed only if we tap our greatest resources -- America's people, America's values, and America's confidence."

"I have seen the strength of America in the inexhaustible resources of our people. In the days to come, let us renew that strength in the struggle for an energy secure nation."

"In closing, let me say this: I will do my best, but I will not do it alone. Let your voice be heard. Whenever you have a chance, say something good about our country. With God's help and for the sake of our nation, it is time for us to join hands in America. Let us commit ourselves together to a rebirth of the American spirit. Working together with our common faith we cannot fail."

The "Crisis of Confidence" Speech, Jimmy Carter, televised speech, July 15, 1979, PBS, transcript : http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/carter/filmmore/ps_crisis.html

"Energy crisis" in "Jimmy Carter", Wikipedia : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Carter#Energy_crisis

Answer 2

Carter sensed a national malaise, a pessimism about the future. People were too busy being consumers to be concerned about the common good. Politics was too fractious and Washington DC too isolated from the concerns of the rest of the country. The main problem was an energy crisis which had been sparked by political problems with the oil producing countries of the middle east.

Carter's initial statements in this speech were were meant as constructive criticism. In the main part of this address,Carter proposed a comprehensive energy plan which included limits on oil imports, incentives to develop our domestic energy production, and an energy conservation program, all with an eye toward complete independence from imported oil,.

Answer 3

No, yet no one cares what Carter thinks. He replaced right into a lame duck, and no president, no longer even throughout watergate or the Clinton witch hunt, has ever spoken out against a sitting president, different than Carter against Bush. that's called admire for the workplace, if no longer the guy.