What is the role of former Presidents?

There was a time when former Presidents were statesmen and held in high regard by Americans as they took a back seat after their time in the White House. They did not meddle with current Presidents and kept their opinions to themselves.

Name a former Republican President who has criticized a sitting President. You cannot because it has not been done.

Name a former Democrat President who has criticized a sitting President. Jimmy Carter immediately comes to mind.

Jimmy Carter has been particularly out-spoken, calling President George W. Bush "the worst president in history." He has been critical of the war in Iraq, speaking out when he should have remained publicly silent. After all, his single term in office was nothing to gloat about.

Now we have Bill Clinton on the campaign trail for his wife and, very often, not acting very presidential or gentlemanly. Would it have been better to remain behind the scenes and let people remember him from his glory days as President? He has now replaced those memories for many in what is becoming an increasingly bitter race between his wife and Barack Obama to gain the democrat nomination for President.

Former presidents have always had an unwritten code of silence, a kind of gentleman's club of gentility and understanding of the heavy burden that falls on the shoulders of the leader of the free world. They have been there, done that and have a unique understanding that has prevented criticism in the past.

This May 2007 U.S. News and World Report article commented:

Will the modern presidential code of silence hold up? Probably not. It's very likely that as former presidents live longer (given the overall trend toward longevity), they will be tempted to get into tangles with their successors as more and more differences of opinion pile up. If they see their images, legacies, or pet projects threatened, they are likely to defend themselves or go on the attack. Just like Jimmy Carter.

I hope this conclusion is wrong. With only one year left in his presidency, we will soon see how George W. Bush will handle private life after the White House. Knowing his upbringing in the Bush family, my belief is he will conduct himself like a gentleman, just as his father has done.

Too bad I can't say the same about Jimmy Carter.