walk down memory lane

Tonight will be a walk down memory lane with Rick Nolan as Jimmy Carter addresses the Democratic National Convention via video message. More than 30 years ago, Rick Nolan was in Congress, Jimmy Carter was President and the economy, like today, was in the tank. The shocking thing though is that after Rick Nolan originally supported Jimmy Carter for President, he then flipped and thought Jimmy Carter was “too conservative” for the Democratic Party. Yep, you are reading this correctly, the same Jimmy Carter that most regard as one of the most liberal presidents of all time was too conservative for our friend Rick Nolan.

“Nolan said he had hopes for something better when Jimmy Carter was elected president in 1976, but that Carter was a disappointment. “‘He campaigned as a liberal, but he operated as a conservative,’ Nolan said. (“Nolan, bridges burning, leaves Congress,” St. Paul Sunday Pioneer Press, Dec. 14, 1980)

It is understandable that Rick Nolan is out of touch with Minnesota values. When he was in Congress, The Bob Newhart Show was still on TV, Lee Iacocca became the President and CEO of Chrysler and Stayin’ Alive by the Bee Gees topped the charts.

So while Minnesota families may not understand why Rick Nolan thought Jimmy Carter was too conservative all those years ago, many wonder if Rick thinks our country is better off now than it was four years ago.

NRCC Statement: “Rick Nolan has proven that he is out-of-touch with Minnesota values. Minnesota families deserve to know if Rick Nolan believes we are better off today than we were four years ago.” – NRCC Spokeswoman Katie Prill