Jimmy Carter 'Titillated' by Obama

Former President Jimmy Carter isn't going to make a formal endorsment in this election, but it's clear where his heart lies.

PLAINS, Ga. -- Former President Jimmy Carter lavished praise on Illinois Sen. Barack Obama during an interview at his home Monday, though he won't formally endorse any candidate in the race for the Democratic nomination.

"Obama's campaign has been extraordinary and titillating for me and my family," Mr. Carter said. The 83-year-old former president, who left the White House in 1981, compared Mr. Obama's speeches to those of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and said he believed the candidate could carry some southern states if he becomes the Democratic nominee.

[...]Mr. Carter said that his three other children and his 11 grandchildren support Mr. Obama. Mr. Carter's oldest son, Jack Carter, 60, who unsuccessfully ran for the U.S. Senate in Nevada two years ago, recently endorsed Mr. Obama. He originally backed Delaware Sen. Joseph Biden, who has since dropped out of the presidential race.

Mr. Carter said he has had limited direct contact with Mr. Obama but has been particularly impressed with the candidate's recent public appearances. "The speech he made after Iowa and the speech he made the other night after South Carolina are equal in eloquence to Martin Luther King Jr.," Mr. Carter said. "He has an extraordinary oratory ... I think that Obama will be almost automatically a healing factor in the animosity now that exists, that relates to our country and its government."

Jimmy Carter is a man of tremendous integrity and the last truly liberal president of our lifetimes.  As such, his words and thoughts and Obama are of great significance.