Politics

Jimmy Carter to address the Democratic National Convention

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The Democratic National Convention Committee and Obama for America announced Tuesday that former President Jimmy Carter will be addressing the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte via video cast.

The former president is expected to focus on Obama’s attributes as a “global leader,” according to the DNCC and the Obama campaign.

“President Carter is one of the greatest humanitarian leaders of our time and a champion of democracy around the globe,” said 2012 Democratic National Convention Chair Antonio Villaraigosa in a statement Tuesday.

“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. President Obama is fighting for the next steps in our nation’s economic recovery, to reclaim America’s promise on behalf of hard-workers, the strivers, the dreamers, who ask only for a fair shot and a fair shake.”

While Carter — who was was elected in 1976 and served one term before being defeated by President Ronald Reagan in 1980 — will not be attending personally, the former president has already asserted his firm support for Obama’s reelection.

“Rosalynn and I regret that we will be unable to be at the Democratic Convention this year in Charlotte,” Carter said in a statement. “However, we remain steadfast in our support for President Obama and the progress he will make in the next four years.”

The former president’s address will air at the Time Warner Cable Arena on Sept. 4 in primetime.

Carter left office with a job approval rating of 34 percent.

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Caroline May