Carter Quote by William Safire
“Carter is the best President the Soviet Union ever had.”
About This Quote
Source Column: New York Times, 1978
The statement humorously claims Carter was the best Soviet leader, implying a critique of his presidency through irony.
In simple terms: Carter is jokingly praised as a great Soviet leader.
Key Takeaway
Understand political satire and its critique.
Themes
politics
irony
satire
Mood
witty
critical
Type
political
humorous
When to use this quote
- political commentary
- media analysis
- historical study
- debate forums
Key Concepts
leadership
Cold War
perception
humor
Questions to Reflect On
- What is the purpose of this irony?
- How does satire shape public opinion?
A Different Perspective
Satire may be misinterpreted as factual.
![“I am somewhat influenced by the years that I've spent trying to actually get things done, whether it was reforming education in Arkansas or a survey and Legal Services Corporation board when President [Jimmy ]Carter appointed me and trying to get lawyers for poor people. I have worked in these…” quote by Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6c7/hillary-clinton-51_action_i-am-somewhat-influenced-by-the-years-th_9078.jpg)
![“[A]n Obama presidency would be an amusing approximation of the Carter administration, complete with vaporous moralizing and foreign policy bungling.” quote by Emmett Tyrrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/212/emmett-tyrrell-42438_administration_a-n-obama-presidency-would-be-an-amusing_38310.jpg)
![“I've kept the people who've been in my career who I feel are my family. Kathy [Kennedy] had been with me since 1978. Janusz Kaminsky, my cinematographer, has made every movie with me since Schindler's List. Michael Kahn has cut every movie I've directed since 1976 when we made Close Encounters…” quote by Steven Spielberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/521/steven-spielberg-963_careers_i-ve-kept-the-people-who-ve-been-in-my-c_71893.jpg)
![“Here's a foolproof method for keeping America safe. Always do the exact 180-degree opposite of whatever [Jimmy] Carter says, as quickly as possible.” quote by Ann Coulter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/842/ann-coulter-469_america_here-s-a-foolproof-method-for-keeping-am_71978.jpg)
