Wrong Then, Too

ON July 15, 1979, Pres. Jimmy Carter gave a televised address to the nation about America’s “crisis of confidence” and how that crisis was feeding “a fundamental threat to American democracy”-reliance on imported oil. It was derided at the time as the “national malaise” speech (Carter never actually used the phrase), and according to legend it was the most politically disastrous speech ever given by a sitting president.

But rehabilitation is in the air. If only we had listened to Jimmy Carter back then, we are increasingly told, we wouldn’t be in the energy mess we’re in today.

JT

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Jerry Taylor

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ON July 15, 1979, Pres. Jimmy Carter gave a televised address to the nation about America’s “crisis of confidence” and how that crisis was feeding “a fundamental threat to American democracy”-reliance on imported oil. It was derided at the time as the “national malaise” speech (Carter never actually used the phrase), and according to legend it was the most politically disastrous speech ever given by a sitting president.

But rehabilitation is in the air. If only we had listened to Jimmy Carter back then, we are increasingly told, we wouldn’t be in the energy mess we’re in today.