(CNN) - Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter said Tuesday on a visit to Gaza that he had to "hold back tears" when he saw the destruction caused by the deadly campaign Israel waged against Gaza militants in January.
Carter was wrapping up a visit to the region during which he met representatives of all sides of the Arab-Israeli conflict.
Among the sites he visited was the American school that was destroyed by the bombings Israel initiated in response to rocket attacks launched from Gaza into southern Israel.
"It is very distressing to me. I have to hold back tears when I see the deliberate destruction that has been raked against your people. I come to the American school which was educating your children, by my own country.
"I see it's been deliberately destroyed by bombs from F16s made in my country and delivered to the Israelis. I feel partially responsible for this - as (do) most all Americans and Israelis," Carter said at a news conference.
In an interview set to air Monday night, Carter told CNN's Campbell Brown some of President Obama's supporters are disappointed in him. "Most of his supporters were hoping that he would be much more open in the revelation of what we've done in the past," said the former president, although he added that he still respects Obama's judgment on the issue: "I don't agree with him, but I certainly don't criticize him for making that decision."
Earlier this month, Obama asked government lawyers to stop the release of photos showing prisoner abuse in Iraq and Afghanistan, a reversal of an earlier White House position. Hundreds of photos were set for release after a Freedom of Information Act request was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union.
Carter also seemed to disagree with Obama on what should happen to Bush Justice Department officials who signed off on waterboarding and other harsh interrogation tactics. Carter stopped short of calling for immediate prosecutions, but did suggest they might be appropriate in the future.
"What I would like to see is a complete examination of what did happen, the identification of any perpetrators of crimes against our own laws or against international law," he told Brown. "And then after all that's done, decide whether or not there should be any prosecutions."
The new administration has not definitely ruled out any prosecutions, but President Obama said on several occasions that "we need to focus on the future."
Campbell Brown's full interview with Former President Carter will air Monday night on CNN at 8 pm ET.
WASHINGTON (CNN) - You don't see this every day. A former President of the United States will testify on Capitol Hill.
The man in the spotlight this afternoon will be former President Jimmy Carter, who is scheduled to appear before a congressional panel looking into energy security.
Carter, in office from 1977 to 1981, is no stranger when it comes to energy concerns. The long lines for gasoline during an Arab oil embargo are lasting memories of his presidency for many people.
But Carter created the Department of Energy, and, in one of his most famous speeches, he talked about the need for energy efficiency and a reduction in oil imports.
Carter pursued policies involving conservation, price controls, and the use of technology, and now, the Senate Foreign Relations committee is asking for his advice on the country's current problems. Committee Chairman
John Kerry is asking Carter to offer a "historical review" of U.S. energy security policy at a hearing looking at the security implications of U.S. dependence on foreign oil.
WASHINGTON (CNN) - Former President Jimmy Carter met Wednesday with National Security Adviser Jim Jones, White House officials said.
Carter spokeswoman Deanna Congileo said the private briefing was planned in advance. "This is a general briefing as he has had with past administrations," she said in an e-mail.
During the meeting, President Barack Obama "dropped by" to greet Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, National Security Council spokesman Mike Hammer said.
(CNN) - Former Attorney General Griffin Bell, who served in the Carter administration, has died, according to the Carter Center in Atlanta. He was 90.
Former President Jimmy Carter said in a statement that he and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter were "deeply saddened" by Bell's death.
"A trusted and enduring public figure, Griffin's integrity, professionalism, and charm were greatly valued across party lines and presidential administrations," Carter said.
"As a World War II veteran, federal appeals court judge, civil rights advocate, and U.S. attorney general in my administration, Griffin made many lasting contributions to his native Georgia and country. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family."
(CNN) - Is there a connection between big oil and Republican politicians?
Former President Jimmy Carter certainly thinks so. In an interview with CBS’s Harry Smith, the former president said the November election is to thank for lower oil prices.
“Between now and November, I predict that the oil companies will hold out on oil prices a little bit,” Carter said with a laugh, “you know, to try to get the Republicans the ticket.”
In July, after the Senate voted to crack down on oil speculators, Republicans vowed to block any further measures until the Senate came to a vote on energy-related issues—in particular, the GOP push to increase oil production.
With the economic outlook dim, and prices at the pump still high, Carter said Wednesday the economy will be the deciding factor for voters come November - just as it was during Bill Clinton’s first campaign for president.
“I’m afraid that by the time January comes along the economy will be the most serious problem in America,” Carter said.
Accusing John McCain of being in the pocket of big oil has been a consistent line of attack from Democrats in the past few months. Moveon.org along with the Obama campaign, have released ads spotlighting what they call the Arizona senator’s “ties” to oil executives.
DENVER (CNN) - Another theme you’re going to notice tonight is constant references to Hurricane Katrina and the devastation of New Orleans. That is the point at which George Bush’s presidency began to fall apart at the polls. Americans were shocked at the inability of the federal government to respond. That’s why you’re going to hear a lot of references - and it has a special resonance for African-Americans.
The catastrophe is being highlighted in a video featuring former President Jimmy Carter, who has a strange legacy among Democrats. He was not a successful president, his Middle East views have become more and more controversial. Nevertheless, he remains a figure of respect because of his personal morality and integrity.
They’re not highlighting his views on the Middle East, they’re highlighting what Americans remember most and best about Carter — his humanitarian work, his work with Habitat for Humanity, his personal integrity.
In fact, I would say he is regarded, because of his acts of charity, as one of the most successful ex-presidents in American history - in many ways the model of an ex-president.
He’s more admired for his ex-presidency than his presidency.
Interesting that he didn’t give a speech. I’m not sure what that means. Perhaps they didn’t want to remind people of a failed presidency.
WASHINGTON (CNN) - Jimmy Carter reiterated the sentiments of many Democratic Party leaders on Sunday by saying that it would be a “serious mistake” for superdelegates to choose the candidate with fewer total delegates.
“I think it would be a very serious mistake for the Democratic Party…if a candidate had the majority of popular votes, the majority of delegates and a majority of states - all three - were the superdelegates to vote contrary to that, I think it would be very difficult to explain,” the former president told George Stephanopoulos on ABC’s “This Week.”
Carter is the latest in a series of prominent Democrats to say that nullifying the popular vote would be a flawed approach. He said that he “basically agreed” with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who on March 15 stated "if the votes of the superdelegates overturn what's happened in the elections, it would be harmful to the Democratic party.”
Heading into the key Pennsylvania primary on April 22, Hillary Clinton trails Barack Obama by 171 pledged delegates. Even well-known supporters of Clinton have declared publicly that she needs to come first in the popular vote to win the nomination.
WASHINGTON (CNN) - The Bush administration has urged former President Jimmy Carter not to go forward with plans to meet with the leader of Hamas, the State Department said Thursday.
Carter may meet next week in Damascus, Syria, with Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal, as part of a trip to the Middle East.
Carter spokeswoman Deanna Congileo told CNN she could not confirm or deny whether any specific meeting might take place during Carter's trip.
However, a Hamas official told CNN that Carter plans to meet with Meshaal, who lives in exile in Damascus to avoid being arrested or killed by Israel.
(CNN)—Democrats continue their money race following the release of their March fundraising totals. In the latest installment of CNN=Politics Daily, CNN’s Dan Lothian reveals Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton’s totals.
Regardless of who Democrats eventually pick to be their nominee, they have made history with a female candidate and an African American candidate. Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider reports on new poll numbers which show whether Americans are ready to make history electing a woman or an African American.
Meanwhile, John McCain continues his “biography tour,” but how effective is his message. CNN’s Dana Bash reports from Florida on how well McCain’s background pitch is working.
Finally: it’s clear who former President Bill Clinton is supporting this election cycle, but today former President and superdelegate Jimmy Carter hinted he may support Obama. Brian Todd reports on what Carter said.
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–CNN's Emily Sherman
From CNN Politics
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