Most people who think about these things tend to view Jimmy Carter’s 1979 “malaise” speech as an self-inflicted disaster that showcased his least winning qualities — his (un-American) pessimism, his self-righteousness, and his political tin ear — and gave an opening to Ronald Reagan to ride in to victory the next year as the can-do candidate of American optimism and self-confidence. Kevin Mattson argues convincingly in What the Heck Are You Up To, Mr. President?, that this is a misreading of history.

America in the summer of 1979 was beset by an energy crisis featuring soaring gas prices as well as endless lines and sporadic violence at the pump, runaway inflation, and economic stagnation. (Plus, the recent Iranian revolution demonstrated the limits of American power in the world, further denting self-confidence.) What Carter did in his speech was, one, to acknowledge all of this frankly and, two — more controversially — to argue that the crisis, and the nation’s inability so far to rally an effective response, was evidence of a larger moral decline, a failure of nerve. What people tend to forget is that Carter, far from scolding from on high, was every bit as hard on himself as on the American people; and that the immediate public reaction was positive — as measured by a double-digit jump in Carter’s approval numbers.

It’s true that Carter proceeded to undermine whatever good his speech had done by firing his cabinet a few days later, which made him look unstable, and that subsequent events, most notably the Iranian hostage crisis, further eroded public’s belief in him. But for a moment, Mattson contends, Carter had an opportunity to turn things around, and the public was still willing, if only just, to give him one last chance. In any event, the “malaise” speech stands as a great piece of truth telling, virtually without parallel in American political history. See for yourself, below.

Good evening.

This is a special night for me. Exactly 3 years ago, on July 15, 1976, I accepted the nomination of my party to run for President of the United States. I promised you a President who is not isolated from the people, who feels your pain, and who shares your dreams and who draws his strength and his wisdom from you.

During the past 3 years I’ve spoken to you on many occasions about national concerns, the energy crisis, reorganizing the Government, our Nation’s economy, and issues of war and especially peace. But over those years the subjects of the speeches, the talks, and the press conferences have become increasingly narrow, focused more and more on what the isolated world of Washington thinks is important. Gradually, you’ve heard more and more about what the Government thinks or what the Government should be doing and less and less about our Nation’s hopes, our dreams, and our vision of the future.
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Below is the full text of President Obama’s address on health care to the Joint Session of Congress:

Madame Speaker, Vice President Biden, Members of Congress, and the American people:

When I spoke here last winter, this nation was facing the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. We were losing an average of 700,000 jobs per month. Credit was frozen. And our financial system was on the verge of collapse.

As any American who is still looking for work or a way to pay their bills will tell you, we are by no means out of the woods. A full and vibrant recovery is many months away. And I will not let up until those Americans who seek jobs can find them; until those businesses that seek capital and credit can thrive; until all responsible homeowners can stay in their homes. That is our ultimate goal. But thanks to the bold and decisive action we have taken since January, I can stand here with confidence and say that we have pulled this economy back from the brink.

I want to thank the members of this body for your efforts and your support in these last several months, and especially those who have taken the difficult votes that have put us on a path to recovery. I also want to thank the American people for their patience and resolve during this trying time for our nation. Read More