Watch President Carter's interview on CNN's American Morning Friday.
WASHINGTON (CNN) - Democratic presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich caused heads to turn earlier this week when he acknowledged he once saw a UFO.
But if elected to the White House, Kucinich wouldn't be the first president to have such an encounter.
"When I was back as a peanut farmer in southwest Georgia, I and about 25 others saw something in the air that changed colors and was round and came and left," former President Jimmy Carter said in an interview with CNN’s John Roberts on American Morning. "We couldn't figure out what it was."
But while he couldn't identify the object, Carter said he doesn't think it was space aliens.
"It was unidentified as far as we were concerned, but I think it's impossible in my opinion, some people disagree, to have space people from other planets or other stars to come to us - I don't think that's possible," he said.
At Tuesday's presidential debate, NBC’s Tim Russert asked Kucinich, a congressman from Ohio, about a recent account from actress Shirley MacLaine that he saw a UFO at her home in Washington State.
“It was an unidentified flying object, OK? It's, like, it's unidentified. I saw something," Kucinich responded.
Related: A UFO lands in the '08 White House race
– CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney
From CNN Politics
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Boy, are the Republicans gonna have fun with this one! Get ready for the lunatic facter from the extremist Republicans who noses are like pigs , rooting even the mud they stand on.
There are a million reasons not to vote for this guy...not just this one
People are nutty. Who cares? At least they aren't claiming to have seen an alien aircraft! How is this news?
The worst thing about all of this is that these "questions" about who saw UFOs are clearly designed to put negative impressions on voters regarding particular people. I'm glad Jimmy Carter laughs off the question and still admits he saw something (though he doubts it was little space men).
I'm more worried about people who have conversations with an imaginary bearded man in the sky.
I can't wait to see the Carter-haters drooling and foaming at the mouth for Carter saying Bush's words on Iran were foolish. Regardless of what the hate mongers will say, Carter is absolutely right. The words were and are foolish, as is Bush and the majority of his followers.
Carter and Kucinich both saw "something". Not suprised at all.
I wonder if Carter is his role model?
I saw a huge red triangle in the night sky years ago. Everyone was pulling their cars over to get out and look. It was like a huge arrow, glowing red like neon. It actually was neon, being released from a weather satellite on purpose, and lighting up like a neon bulb from the ionization in the upper atmosphere. I didn't think I was being contacted by space aliens or being given a message from Cthulhu, but there was definitely something weird up there.
President Carter: Your a crazy old man. I remember during your term the following: high interest rates, high inflation, weak on defense, unemployment rate wasn't good, and then allowing our people to be held hostage for over a year in Iran. I heard many people say that you couldn't do anything about the hostage crises. Funny thing, Reagan took care of that issue on his first day of office.
Oh, btw, I do remember you making that comment about you seeing a UFO. That pretty much sealed it for me that you weren't just a former peanut farmer, but just a nut altogether.
Mark
WatchingHillary.com
First, this headline is a *bit* misleading, since in the story Carter says he didn't actually see what most people would define as a UFO.
And second, to the guy who thought Jimmy Carter was crazy, well you are. He was probably one of the best presidents we've had.
I love how ALL of the candidates claim to be religious, which is filled with all sorts of strange tales people are supposed to believe in, from "miracles" to coming back from the dead, and yet everyone's jumping on Kucinich for seeing something that, if real, is nothing more than *physical* phenomena. Never mind the fact that he himself confirmed nothing more than that it was unidentified.
I also love how in every debate, Kucinich addresses all kinds of hard-hitting, important issues, and yet THIS is the only thing that makes mainstream news. At the same time, why isn't the media freaking out over Huckabee's statement that illegal "aliens" are taking away jobs that *aborted fetuses* "could have" had??
Kucinich is the only presidential candidate with a not-for-profit, single-payer health care plan. He is the only candidate who has consistently opposed the war from the very beginning. He is the only candidate who is truly pro-workers' rights, including repealing NAFTA. Let's STOP TALKING about UFOs and see how right he is on the *actual issues*.
Everybody's seen a UFO.
An object that's flying that someone can't identify.
It could be a blimp, a plane, a helicopter, a jumbo jet, something the military is playing with, anything that is unidentifiable due to eyesight, weather conditions, interference, whatever. Just because someone says they saw a "UFO," it doesn't mean they're saying they saw a flying saucer or aliens.
It just means an object they saw in the sky that they couldn't identify.
Wonder how many of the people here also believe man never made it to the moon? And the world is flat? And there are actually WMD's in Iraq?
A GREAT AMERICAN STATESMAN. A NOBLE AND CARING MAN, THE EPITOME OF A TRUE CHRISTIAN. TOUCHE' MR PRESIDENT, TOUCHE'.
Thanks Bob from San Fran for confirming what many others think of you and your ilk in that city. Must be nice living in such a wonderfully perfect city with such a great mayor. Thanks for teaching us all a lesson on how foolish we are.
How is seeing a UFO any crazier than believing there's a guy sitting on a chair somewhere in space, listening to our thoughts and meting out punishments? At least some can say they've actually SEEN a UFO, unlike this irrational belief in a supreme being.
Ex-President Carter is irrelevant.
He does however help the GOP.
Well that is becoming a standard for Cleveland, Ohio. Kuchinich see UFO's and now we have the first in Cleveland history a recall of a Cleve. City Councilperson. It's all up there with LeBron wearing a Yankees cap during a playoff game. Bill Mahr should be loving Cleveland.
If President Carter says that he saw an object in the sky which he could not identify, then he saw it. Mr. Carter would be the ideal candidate for vice president or Secretary of State, but at his age I don't think we can impose upon him to take all that stress and criticism. It is unfortunate for the nation that we don't have 500 more just like him to fill Congress, the White House, and the Supreme Court.
He is a good man, a good Christian, and a patriot. The votes I cast for him for President and later for Ann Richards as governor were my proudest moments as a voter.
He is the only great man that Georgia has ever produced.
To Mark from Columbus Ohio:
Funny how Reagan took care of the American hostages on his first day in office. Yeah, funny alright! I just wonder how he did that and on his very first day!!! Iran-Contra???? We are in this mess in Iraq because of Reagan involvement with Hussain!
Watch Hillary! She'll be your President.
As for the UFO, I'd say there is a better chance out there that we are not alone than chance that we are!
Why does CNN give Pres Carter so much air time. He was one of the worst US Presidents ever and has done nothing but try to destroy the US.
President Carter had his time in the spotline and failed...Move on.
Mark, I remember the hostage crisis. The Ayatollah said he was holding hostages until America dumped Carter and elected his friend Ronald Reagan. The day Carter left office, the hostages were freed. Did you vote for the Ayatollah? A lot of people did, and nothing happened to Iran at all. They had a good laugh and told us who to elect president, and we did it.
It's one thing to say you saw something in the sky and didn't know what it was. And it's another thing to say you saw a UFO in the sky and didn't know what it was. does anyone but me hear spooky muzak from the 50's horror movies here?
Sometimes you feel like a nut. Sometimes you don't.
Carter will go down in history as one of the most highly educated and most statesmen like Presidents in history.
He has been an outstanding ambassador and elder statesmen. All with class.
Barack Obama may lack the (work) experience that most Americans are eager for, but that does not count in politics.
Secondly, Obama does not owe the Clintons any loyalty; yes, he should respect them
Since race is a hidden factor in American politics, he WON'T win the US elections.
In him, Americans should be glad they produced one of the best contenders for the top job.
Thanks,
Mazwi M
Shame on anyone who slams Kucinich for being honest about seeing a UFO. No wonder this country is going down the drain. I guess Kucinich is a nut for opposing the Iraq War from the start right?
OK, even as a conservative, even I have to ask, is the RNC writing these headlines/stories???
This is just too good to be true.
I can already imagine the funny photo montage that will apprear on RushLimbaugh.com on Monday.
Did President Carter of Kucinich claim to have communicate with the aliens in the UFOs like the current president who was told by God to strike Iraq? Why is this news worthy? CNN focus on the issues !!
we all know that jimmy is and always will be known as the worst President ever, but he keeps proving that he is an even worse ex-president. PLEASE go AWAY and leave America alone..
Even if Carter saw aliens, they could not have been searching for intelligent life on Earth if they were anywhere near this one-term joke.
Melissa - If you think that Carter was one of the best presidents we ever had, you need your head examined. I am a lifelong Democrat and have never voted Republican but that guy is one sandwich short of a picnic. He is possibly even a worse ex-President than he was President but at least he is now more easily dismissed as a demented, loony and senile old man.
My problem with Kucinich's UFO sighting isn't so much that he experienced a "connection" of some kind. I have a much bigger problem that he was hanging out at Shirley McClaine's house at the time.
Posted By Bob, San Francisco, CA : November 2, 2007 1:31 pm
Bob from Califreakenfornia, you can believe in whatever you want, no problem at this address, but do not demean the beliefs of others to make some type of point.
It is better to be perceived a fool, than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt.
People read the title and then comment its sad. I do believe Kucinich believes it was aliens...while Carter, who is sensible, just says he doesn't know what the hell it was.
I can't identify certain things in the sky, I don't think they're aliens, I just can't tell what they are, but I figure they must be hot air balloons.
Jimmy Carter thinks he saw "something", ok, but thinks it's impossible it could have been alien life form. Huh!?! What a narrow minded way to think. Does he or anyone else truly believe we are all alone. This coming from a man that was attacked by not only an enraged rabbit but a swimming one too. Now, what's more likely, Carter being attacked by a killer rabbit while he was fishing in a boat or space aliens visiting a planet that is the size of a dust particle in the grand scheme of things?
I can tell the Carter hypocrites, the man could give a flying farkle less what you post.
The MAJOR difference, Jimmy, is that Dennis Kucinich not only saw a UFO – but that he also heard messages from it.
I certainly hope Dennis will soon share with us all the special message he received from the aliens!!
The video link doesn't work–i.e., browser brings up a new page with a video pane that is inert.
This is common with most of CNN video features.
Carter's a loon just like Kucinich. They just need Ron Paul to join the club to make them a modern day Three Stooges.
Figures they send the peanut farmer to save that nut job kucinich.
If you're more likely to believe
"Mission Accomplished", "They're jealous of our freedoms", or "We've found the WMD" than you are to believe there may be alien aircraft in our skies, then your thinking capacity must be questioned.
People who believe, without question, that which is known for a fact to be untrue are surely crazier than those who believe something unknown is possible. However, one thing we all know, is that Neocon supporters are incapable of thinking on their own. Now run along and be good sheeple.
Round, and to the went to the left....thats not a UFO, that's Hillary Clinton!
It's a known fact that Jimmy Carter, Ron Paul, and Dennnis Kucinich are from another planet. All you need to do is listen to them speak and you will be convinced they are all from a galaxy, far, far away.
Question for all Presidential candidates. "What will be your national policy on the Nevada Test Site?" Skeptics - Go visit Rachel or Mercury, NV.
Okay, Melissa, Carter may not be crazy, but he was far and away one of the worst presidents (except Bush) in recent American history. Don't know how old you are, but you need to reread the Chapter 1976-1980 in you rhistory book.
Another NON STORY by CNN.
WOW.........more wasted space.
Why is this traitor in the news again???Oh yea he says he saw a UFO while smoking a blunt with Willie Nelson on the top of White House...This man by far is the worst President in our history . George W has more class and guts then this guy ever had.
Gee, so many harping over such a little thing. Our government investigated UFOs for over 50 years and came to no real conclusions.
What is a UFO, if you see something in the sky (flying), it has what appears to be physical mass (object) and you can not tell what it is, you have an unidentified flying object. Get off it you dont need to be nuts to see something in the sky and not be able to tell what it is.
The caustic comments really irk me.
I saw something in 1979 and reported it and it went into the records and one of the "un-explained" cases. It was a softly glowing green orb hovering over the fields off I-5 in central California. It shot from almost a dead stop to about 1500 mph in a snap. When you see something like that it doesn't leave you with much but to report it and wonder. That doesn't make us liars or wierdos. It just makes us one of many, many people who have seen these things.
Well BUSH saw WMD in Iraq, and Axis of Evil in NK and Iran, etc and yet few recognize him for being a bit off the wall!
UFOs are mild in comparison, they are not sinking your country deeper into debt.
Seeing a UFO is not that big a deal as far as I am concerned when evaluating a candidate for office. The media just loves to blow this kind of thing up and make the candidate (in this case, Kucinich) look ridiculous (MSNBC's Chris Matthews did exactly that). I would rather support a smart guy who saw a UFO admit to it than a guy who believes in Mormonism, frankly. Check out what Mormons believe (or Christians and Muslims, for that matter) and tell me what you think sounds silly or strange. UFOs pale in comparison to religious doctrine.
I don't believe we ever landed on the moon. I believe that it was all staged in a room with props. Even the flag was blowing and we know that there is not suppose to be any wind on the moon.
UFO = Unidentified Flying Object. If you can't Identify it – it could be considered a UFO. This has nothing to do with politics and it seems like CNN is trying to just draw more attention to it than there should be.
One thing that I would like to clarify – Almost nothing is impossible, only very very improbable. In Carter's case he should have said that it was improbable, not impossible.
OOHHHHHH Illegal Aliens!! Dennis thought the question was about Space Aliens.
Either way – Dennis wants open borders to welcome ALL aliens to the USA. I can just see Dennis's VP (Mike Gravel) calling up Dennis to discuss the economy after amnesty, "Ay Capt'n – she's gonna blow!!"
First Kucinich and now Carter with the UFO's. Give me some of what they are drinking! Next they will blame it on Bush like every other moment in their delusional world! And some want to turn "all" of America over to this ilk!
At least someone noticed the true issue here... He's hanging out with Shirley MacLaine.
At least he doesn't think he can talk with God, like our current President
First of all the correspondents who ask such questions, and give lots of coverage have some hidden agenda behind this. Naturally, this coverage gives right wingers somthing to talk about and bash Carter and Kuscinich when they have nothing positive to comment on their presidential hopefuls. At least, when people like Carter make statements on UFO, no harm is done to the nation as such. But, when Bush gets his instructions from his "Big Father", he goes to war in Iraq and sacrifices 4000 men, 100,000 Iraqis, and billions of dollars, and a real harm to the nation is done. Why are then our right wingers are quiet?
The fact that Kucinich rubs elbows with someone like MacLaine speaks volumes in my book...and that's not a good thing.
How appropriate for President Jimmy to say, "I and about 25 others saw something..." Wouldn't that be, "25 others and I saw something," using correct English? Ain't nobody got no good way to says things like ol' Jimmy!
Always a leader, Jimmy likes to put himself first, doesn't he?
Dennis k. said the alien he saw talked to him. sure wish he would of told us what they said. Aliens for Kucinich in 08 ? Remember back to that picture of McGovern wearing that stupid hard hat that might have been his presidential race ender ? Sorry Dennis
Just another couple of good ole nuts! I can't wait to hear what Jay Leno and David Letterman have to mark the occasion. For Carter, it just confirms the worst Presidency in the last 100 years. For Kucinich, well, he really wasn't a serious candidate anyway, he just wanted to show off his trophy wife.
It just amazes me that people hear what they want to hear. He did not say he got a message from it, that was Shirley McLane who said that and the message came from her. Also why does everyone think when someone says they saw a UFO that they are talking about spaceships. A UFO is just that an Unidentified Flying Object, period.
Let's see former President Carter speaks out on some very touchy subjects and he gets smeared. Is this type of article just political payback for speaking truth to power? You know something like this, "don't listen to him when it comes to war and peace and tolerance, he believes in UFO's, what a nut" or something to that effect. The war mongers knives are long.
I've seen a UFO as well. This year actually, in Myrtle Beach, SC. There was five orb-like objects hovering over the ocean. They appeared and then disappeared. Twice. Over the atlantic ocean. Try googling it, there are articles and a video from this summer. Why is it sooooo unbelievable that something else exists other than us? Consider the size of our universe, and all the other universes. I think you have to be a moron if you think that we're all alone.
For a very long time, citizens from all walks of life and all parts of the planet, have been observing and reporting unidentified aerial phenomena. It strikes me as odd that an ongoing, worldwide event of such possible magnitude to all of humanity, is routinely treated by virtually all media in a tongue and cheek manner. Could it be the elephant in the room??
Kucinich just said he saw something he could not identify that flied – nothing too outrageous there. He is not running around shouting "there are aliens! I have seen their craft!" – if he were it would be a different story and he would be acting like a nutjob. As things stand I think he is the candidate with the most sincere desire to help others and the ability to speak what he thinks and means to do. Clinton has made it clear she is just as much on the take as any of the R candidates and is well-versed in politicospeak (dancing the fine line between lies, truth, and ambiguity enough to cover her butt). My personal dream ticket would be Obama P and Kucinich VP. Stop making mountains out of molehills CNN.
I see that most of the people on this board are incredably naive. Does ANYONE on this board know ANYTHING about the subject of UFO's??? Apparently not!
The evidence for UFO's visiting Earth is overwhelming and extensive. There have been countless eyewitnesses from Mililtary personnel in the airforce, navy, army to the marines. Pilots, air traffic controllers, Intelligence officers, police officers, and countless other reputable witnesses. Including the governor of Arizona and many more.
Not too mention the government extensive government documentation and involvement. (highly classifided and only on a need to know basis. Most are all kept it the dark regarding these matters).
We have recovered muliple crashes as well as other governments, including Canada and Russia.
Educate yourselves people there is so much information out there.
Hey Dave: Don't give me that crap that the Iranians held them until Reagan was sworn in just to make Carter look bad. The Iranians were scared to death of Reagan and afraid of what he would do. Last year, the story came out that the Reagan camp made a few phone calls before "Ronny" was sworn in. They warned the Iranian government that if the hostages were not released by the time Reagan was in office, they would face dire consequences. You see, Reagan was a hawk and didn't mess around. Jimmy Carter was a dove and that's why he couldn't get the hostages out of Iran. I remember Carter saying that the Iranians were are brothers as well. What a stupid statement.
Oh, by the way, if you want to compare the nation's domestic situations during the time Carter was Prez. and when Reagan was Prez – Carter...high inflation, high interest rates, high unemployment, hostage crises, and a weak defense. Reagan...strong defense, low interest rates, low unemployment, low inflation, and a strong defense.
So Dave, who was the better Prez.? Carter who only lasted one term, or was it Reagan who served out w/ two terms and walked out w/ high approval ratings in 1989? I believe it was Reagan.
Mark
WatchingHillary.com
This is not as wild as Bush believing GOD picked him to be President and that he talks to GOD all the time. Talk about CRAZY!!
Excuse me, how can all these people call Carter the worst president of all time? Haven't y'all noticed the moron that's currently in the White House? He wins that title hands down without a question!!!!
I love how ALL of the candidates claim to be religious, which is filled with all sorts of strange tales people are supposed to believe in, from "miracles" to coming back from the dead, and yet everyone's jumping on Kucinich for seeing something that, if real, is nothing more than *physical* phenomena. Never mind the fact that he himself confirmed nothing more than that it was unidentified.
I also love how in every debate, Kucinich addresses all kinds of hard-hitting, important issues, and yet THIS is the only thing that makes mainstream news. At the same time, why isn't the media freaking out over Huckabee's statement that illegal "aliens" are taking away jobs that *aborted fetuses* "could have" had??
Kucinich is the only presidential candidate with a not-for-profit, single-payer health care plan. He is the only candidate who has consistently opposed the war from the very beginning. He is the only candidate who is truly pro-workers' rights, including repealing NAFTA. Let's STOP TALKING about UFOs and see how right he is on the *actual issues*.
I have no problem with the political differences here, but a lot of American and foreign military/government officials have seen UFOs. My brother, retired Army pilot, saw one. I've seen one towards my home air force base. Gov. Fyfe Symmington and President Carter have seen them. The only thing political about UFOs is public disclosure and small minds.
Jimmy Carter was definitely not an outstanding president, but all of these claims that he was the worst president have no basis in scholarly studies. Since it's unlikely that any of us are experts on presidents, we should listen to those who are. A compilation of evaluation of presidents by historical studies with leanings toward each party, show that Carter ended up tied with Republican Gerald Ford as the 28th best president, 4 positions ahead of Republican Richard Nixon and 3 behind Bush's father. No survey put him near the bottom. With possibly the SEVEN largest deficits in history and a hypocritical, scandal-ridden administration, Bush might end up in the bottom 3 with his relative Franklin Pierce.
Ronald Reagan fans should be aware that EVERY year of Reagan's administration, our "conservative" president generated deficits that were higher than ANY of Carter's.
After Democrat Carter was president, he has worked extensively for charity and won a Nobel Peace Prize. After Democrat Bill Clinton was president, he formed an organization to bring top minds from the world together to find problem solutions and donate to charities. After Democrat Al Gore was vice-president, he worked to oppose global warming and got a Nobel Prize. After being president, Bush has told his biographer that his plans are to make a lot of money giving speeches (if anyone wants to listen to elementary school grammar) and move to Crawford, Texas. No joke.
I swear it seems so many Americans are used to being lied to by politicians that that's what they actually want now! Dennis Kucinich's honesty is truly refreshing!
It's ridiculous how this has been turned into Kucinich claiming to be abducted by aliens. I think most people have seen something in the sky they couldn't identify. If you have, then you've seen a U.F.O.! Should we all get taken to a funny farm? Give me a break!
I am voting for the only presidential candidate that doesn't double-talk, speaks from his heart, and won't lie to us. If this isn't what you want, I urge you to PLEASE change your mind, for this once-great country's sake!
KUCINICH- ~Strength through Peace!~
Remember that Jimmy also valiantly defended himself by beating a killer rabbit with an oar that was swimming toward his canoe while on a fishing trip.
HOW DID THIS IDIOT GET ELECTED???
This discussion on "UFO's" is coming up at a time when we should be concerned with the identified flying objects like bombs, and bullets in Iraq. What is wrong with the media? Is there not enough famine, poverty, human abuse, Global warming, dying polar bears (due to the ice melting)-sea levels rising etc.-Opra Winfrey's African school child abuse issue....etc., etc., to talk about-then to ponder the musings of ex-presidents, and presidentcial hopefuls on "UFO"S? I've seen what appeared to be shooting stars, halos, etc.-so what? If this stuff could save others...then I am all for it-if the presdent, and those running for the office of president are "seeing things"-either get them some glasses or some stress managment or both!
President Carter may not have been the most skillful President in history, but he also struggled with problems that might have brought down even the greatest of presidents. There is no need to review his presidency and evaluate how he might have chosen other options that might have been more successful. That would not change anyone's mind.
But, he is obviously and undeniably an intelligent, good man: patriotic, honest, and interested in the welfare of everyone on earth. He is a good Christian for what that is worth because I am not generally impressed with the goodness of church goers. He doesn't lie and to the best of my knowledge he doesn't hallucinate.
What he says he saw was something I would have seen if I had been there with him at the time, I am sure. The smaller, more mischevious spirits among us enjoy taking potshots at better men.
...He ate one too many peanuts..
Gerry,
I'm sure Carter beat the killer rabbit ONLY after consulting with Amy.
You're right, what a complete idiot!
It's funny how many of you hold an absolutist-skeptical view on this subject. You need to brush up on you archeology reading, as well as your modus operandi of thinking. The "ad hominem" statements do not make evidence disappear, and while there are many on the net and in the news who deliberately spread garbage, the history will never wash away. Read some of your cherished doctrines, and see the many indicators within.
Peace