Carter to Obama: Stay Away From Clinton

Former President Jimmy Carter offered Barack Obama some serious campaign advice late Tuesday. He is quoted in an interview to be published Saturday saying that an Obama-Clinton ticket would be “the worst mistake that could be made.” Citing opinion polls that show 50% of U.S. voters with a negative opinion of Clinton, Carter spoke to The Guardian about the barriers Obama already faces in his bid for the presidency, and the additional problems that Clinton as his running mate would bring.

The Guardian:

Barack Obama should not pick Hillary Clinton as his vice-presidential nominee, former president Jimmy Carter has told the Guardian.

“I think it would be the worst mistake that could be made,” said Carter. “That would just accumulate the negative aspects of both candidates.”

Carter, who formally endorsed the Illinois senator last night, cited opinion polls showing 50% of US voters with a negative view of Clinton.

In terms that might discomfort the Obama camp, he said: “If you take that 50% who just don’t want to vote for Clinton and add it to whatever element there might be who don’t think Obama is white enough or old enough or experienced enough or because he’s got a middle name that sounds Arab, you could have the worst of both worlds.”

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