We got excited about Carter too

Economic worries were widespread. The hangover from war and disgust with Washington saturated the political fabric. The desire for something different could almost be described as a craving.

An outsider appeared who promised change and it became a mantra. He was untainted by all that bothered us and we entrusted him with the most powerful job in the world.

Four years later, we tossed him out, unemployment and inflation both in double digits. Iran, emboldened by his promise not to involve the US in a war for any reason, daily humiliated us with hostages kidnapped from our embassy. He remains the worst president of the 20th century and perhaps the entire republic.

Is the ghost of Jimmy Carter hovering over the shoulder of Barack Obama?

There are differences of course. Certainly Carter was not as charismatic or articulate. Obama however is not even as experienced as the Great Bumbler.

In his short tenure in the Senate, a time spent mostly running for President, Obama has already acquired the record of having the most liberal voting record there, quite an achievement when you consider some of his colleagues.

He has zero foreign policy experience or for that matter, zero experience ever running anything. If he is prepared to be the chief executive, then it's time for the local student council president to run for governor.

Wake up, folks! Senator Prozac might make you feel good, but what exactly does he plan to do? There is one final thought to consider; the world is a far more dangerous place than it was in 1976. Just tossing him out in four years might not be an option.

Steve Quick

Arlington Heights