Jimmy Carter, Somewhat Bitter

Former President Jimmy Carter appeared yesterday, May 12th, before the Senate Foreign Relations committee, giving testimony about the American energy crisis. Carter reminded the panel that he was, "the fifth president ever to testify before a Senate committee and the first one since Harry Truman," and was greeted by applause and encouragement from a Code Pink demonstrator, normally known for their heckling of witnesses. Sen. John Kerry, the committee chairman said, "The record will reflect that that is the first time before a hearing that any witness that I can remember has been applauded."

Carter's testimony was somewhat bitter and defensive. He began by reminding the panel that he had installed 32 solar panels on the White House in 1979, which were quickly removed by his successor, President Reagan. He also pointed out that his Administration had laid out a mandate to double the average miles-per-gallon of passenger vehicles by the end of his term, another initiative that ultimately failed, stating, "But President Reagan and others didn't think that was important, and so it was frittered away." He also pointed out that he was the President who created the Energy Department, and that he had inherited a doubling of oil prices from Presidents Nixon and Ford. His testimony stretched over 90 minutes, and several people, including Chairman Kerry and members of the press corps were seen yawning.

President Carter left the Senate after his testimony and boarded a plane for Lebanon, where he will join an international group in the country to oversee elections and ensure fairness.