TDS Time Machine | Jimmy Carter on the Rise of Fundamentalism

Summary

The Daily Show: Ears Edition – Episode Summary

Episode Title: TDS Time Machine | Jimmy Carter on the Rise of Fundamentalism
Release Date: January 11, 2025
Host: Jon Stewart
Guest: Jimmy Carter, 39th President of the United States and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate

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Introduction and Guest Welcome

The episode commences with Jon Stewart warmly welcoming former President Jimmy Carter to The Daily Show: Ears Edition. Stewart highlights Carter's extensive contributions post-presidency, including international election monitoring, humanitarian efforts, homebuilding initiatives, and his prolific writing career, noting that Carter is the author of his 20th book, Our Endangered Values.

Notable Quote:

"I ask you this. Why are you busier? Why do you work harder than our actual president?"
— Jon Stewart [00:08]

Jimmy Carter responds by humorously acknowledging his busy schedule and the expectations placed upon him, even joking about his potential success being tied to an appearance on The Daily Show.

Notable Quote:

"All right. Thank you for that."
— Jimmy Carter [01:36]

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Discussion on Political Polarization and Fundamentalism

Jon Stewart steers the conversation towards the growing political polarization in the United States, specifically focusing on how Carter, a Southern Baptist conservative, has become a target for certain right-wing factions.

Notable Quote:

"It's a very small segment."
— Jimmy Carter [02:00]

Carter elaborates on the persistent mischaracterizations of his viewpoints, asserting that his book, Our Endangered Values, has been well-received without significant criticism. He emphasizes that his concerns transcend traditional political divides, framing the current political climate as marked by unprecedented and radical shifts in policies that diverge sharply from previous administrations, both Democratic and Republican.

Notable Quote:

"These are radical changes, and that's what I thought I'd devote my time to."
— Jimmy Carter [02:21]

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Rise and Impact of Fundamentalism in Politics and Religion

The conversation delves into Carter's analysis of the rise of fundamentalism over the past three decades, beginning with pivotal events like the Iran hostage crisis. Carter highlights the intertwining of religious and political fundamentalism, expressing alarm over the erosion of the separation between church and state—a cornerstone of American democracy as envisioned by Thomas Jefferson.

Notable Quote:

"There has been an increasing merger in this country, a fundamentalism on the religious side, fundamentalism on the political side, and the two have come together."
— Jimmy Carter [03:05]

He underscores the deliberate dismantling of the metaphorical wall between religion and government, which he argues is being eroded both overtly and covertly, leading to a dangerous amalgamation that threatens the nation's foundational values.

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Electoral Dynamics and the Challenge of Combating Extremism

Jon Stewart questions why the rise of extremism and fundamentalism hasn't been effectively countered through the electoral process, pointing out the widespread public concern over such trends.

Carter responds by analyzing past election results, noting that while there was Democratic success in the 2000 elections, the 2004 elections were skewed by a significant portion of the electorate voting based on patriotism rather than policy alignment. He attributes this to the powerful influence of patriotic sentiments, which the Republican Party adeptly harnessed, often to the detriment of democratic principles.

Notable Quote:

"There is a tremendous effect of patriotism in this country... the patriotic inclination was strongly savaged but also very greatly utilized by the Republicans."
— Jimmy Carter [04:17]

Carter suggests that this blend of patriotism and political strategy has altered the political landscape, making it challenging to counteract extremist influences through traditional electoral mechanisms.

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Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Although the transcript provided ends prematurely, Carter's insights throughout the episode offer a compelling examination of the intersection between fundamentalism and politics in contemporary America. His perspectives underscore the urgency of addressing these radical shifts to preserve the nation's moral and democratic foundations.

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Final Note:
Listeners interested in delving deeper into Jimmy Carter's analysis of America's moral crisis and the rise of fundamentalism can explore his latest book, Our Endangered Values. For more engaging discussions and exclusive content, tune into The Daily Show: Ears Edition available on Paramount+ or watch the weeknight broadcasts on Comedy Central at 11/10c.

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Highlighted Quotes with Timestamps:

• "I ask you this. Why are you busier? Why do you work harder than our actual president?"
  — Jon Stewart [00:08]

• "These are radical changes, and that's what I thought I'd devote my time to."
  — Jimmy Carter [02:21]

• "There has been an increasing merger in this country, a fundamentalism on the religious side, fundamentalism on the political side, and the two have come together."
  — Jimmy Carter [03:05]

• "There is a tremendous effect of patriotism in this country... the patriotic inclination was strongly savaged but also very greatly utilized by the Republicans."
  — Jimmy Carter [04:17]

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Additional Information:

• Promotional Offer:
  The Daily Show: Ears Edition listeners can use the discount code "TDS20" to receive 20% off all The Daily Show products available at ParamountShop.com.

• Viewing Options:
  Watch The Daily Show weeknights on Comedy Central at 11/10c or stream full episodes anytime on Paramount+.

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This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the episode, offering a comprehensive overview for listeners who may not have had the opportunity to tune in.

Transcript

[Comedy Central Announcer]

You're listening to Comedy Central.

[Jon Stewart]

My guest tonight, the 39th President of the United States, who is also a Nobel Peace Prize winner. His latest book is called Our Endangered America's Moral Crisis. Please welcome to the program President Jimmy Carter. S. Thank you, sir. Nice to see you. How are you? Nice to see you. Thank you for being with us. The book is called Our Endangered Values. It is your 20th book.

[Jimmy Carter]

Absolutely.

[Jon Stewart]

You have been traveling the world, monitoring international elections, doing wonderful missionary work, building homes. Sir, I ask you this. Why are you busier? Why do you work harder than our actual president?

[Jimmy Carter]

Well, one reason is that although I have been governor of Georgia, I have been president of the United States. I have won a Nobel Peace prize. I have 11 grandchildren. And they don't think I'll be a success in life until I've been on the Daily Show. And if I was president, and if I was president, I couldn't be here.

[Jon Stewart]

I understand, sir. And that's what this show is for. Give kids like you a break. We're here to help you out.

[Jimmy Carter]

All right. Thank you for that.

[Jon Stewart]

How did a Southern Baptist conservative really become the nemesis of the right in this country? There's a certain segment of the country that demonizes Jimmy Carter.

[Jimmy Carter]

It's a very small segment.

[Jon Stewart]

A very small segment.

[Jimmy Carter]

Well, I told the truth. And this book has now been out about six weeks. Nobody's found anything wrong with it. It points out, I think in very vivid terms it's still on sale.

[Jon Stewart]

That, yes, it is. And by the way, a lovely Christmas gift.

[Jimmy Carter]

This would absolutely. And there have been dramatic and unprecedented basic changes in America's policies that are deeply concerning to me. It's not. It's not Democratic versus Republican. It's not liberal versus Conservative. These are radical changes compared to what was done in all previous administrations, including George Bush Sr. And Dwight Eisenhower and Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan and all Democratic presidents as well. These are radical changes, and that's what I thought I'd devote my time to. It's my first book that's been about political issues.

[Jon Stewart]

A lot of the changes you pegged to the rise of fundamentalism, not just in this country, but around the world over the past 30 years, beginning with the hostage crisis in Iran.

[Jimmy Carter]

That's true in religion and in politics. And lately, what's been of great concern, in addition to what I've already said, is the merger of the two, the merger of religion and politics, because I happen to be a Christian, and I think my religion teaches me that you should render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's. Unto God the things that are God. And Thomas Jefferson, one of our founding fathers, said that we should build a wall between the church and state. That wall is being deliberately and ostentatiously not secretly broken down. So there's been an increasing merger in this country, a fundamentalism on the on the religious side, fundamentalism on the political side, and the two have come together.

[Jon Stewart]

Do you have a sense in your mind why that hasn't been stopped by the electoral process? Because there is, I see it everywhere, concern over that type of extremism or infiltrating itself into the government or these things. But every election cycle that comes around doesn't seem to reflect that dissatisfaction.

[Jimmy Carter]

Well, as a matter of fact, in the year 2000, I think the Democrats won.

[Jon Stewart]

So it did reflect that.

[Jimmy Carter]

Yeah. And in 2004, the results of election were predictably distorted because about 9 or 10% of the American people will tell you today that they vote for the incumbent president, even if they don't agree with him or his policies, as long as he is the commander in chief of our young men and women overseas with their lives in danger. So there's a tremendous effect of patriotism in this country. And I think that patriotic inclination was strongly savaged but also very greatly utilized by the Republicans.

[Jon Stewart]

And that changes the politics of it.

[Comedy Central Announcer]

Explore more shows from the Daily Show Podcast universe by searching the Daily Show. Wherever you get your podcasts, watch the Daily show weeknights at 1110 Central on Comedy Central and stream full episodes anytime on Paramount plus.

[Jon Stewart]

Paramount Podcasts.