Jimmy Carter to Address Democratic Convention: Good Move by DNC?

The Democratic National Committee will honor former President Jimmy Carter with a prime-time speech during its national convention on September 4, 2012. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, the 2012 convention chairman, released a statement: "A lifelong champion of human rights and investments in education and energy to spur economic development, President Carter will provide unique insight into President Obama’s ability to move our country forward and why we need his vision and leadership for a second term."

Mayor Villaraigosa and other Democrats must have overlooked how President Carter recently accused fellow Democrat President Obama of violating human rights. Carter wrote in the New York Times that Obama violated 10 of the 30 articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Carter considered it “disturbing proof of how far our nation's violation of human rights has extended.”

President Carter will make the address via video. Carter joins a growing list of Democrats who won't attend the Democratic National Convention this year. Kevin Price of the US Daily Review speculates that the candidates don't want to appear associated with unpopular Democrats including President Obama (D), Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Representative Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)

The list includes: Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.VA.), Rep. Nick Rahall (D-W.VA.), Rep. Mark Critz (D-PA), Rep. Kathy Hochul (D-NY), Rep. Jim Matheson (D-UT), Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT), Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin (D-W.VA.), Rep. Bill Owens (D-NY), Rep. John Barrow (D-GA), Rep. Betty Sutton (D-OH) and Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX).


THEHILL.COM reports:
Former President Jimmy Carter will address the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina by video. The Democratic National Convention Committee announced Tuesday that Carter would address the convention by video on September 4.