Carter Thinks A Gay President Would Be Progress

Former President Jimmy Carter did a recent series of video interviews with the website Big Think. He addresses a number of issues -- debt, Americans' addiction to consumption, his failings as the President.

One question posed to him is whether or not the United States is ready for a gay president. He responds, "I think the entire population of America has come tremendous strides forward in dealing with the issue of gays. And I would say that the answer is yes. I don't know about the next election, but I think in the near future."

"Step by step, we've realized this issue of homosexuality has the same adverse and progression elements as when we dealt with the race issue 50 years ago, 40 years ago," he continues. "So I would say that the country's getting acclimated to a president who might be female, who might obviously now be black and who might be, as well, a gay person. I would say the answer's yes."

CNN's "Situation Room" panel had some interesting responses.

Republican strategist Rich Galen says he's "spent his entire adult life not listening to a theory Jimmy Carter has, so [he thinks he'll] just stick to that," but he goes on to say, "I think at some point, sure ... I wouldn't have bet heavy money that we'd elect a black president in 2010."

CNN contributor John Avlon points out that we have openly gay mayors and members of COngress, eventually we'll have openly gay senators and governors and then eventually we'll have an openly gay president.

Liberal pundit James Carville cracks, "I'm pretty sure we haven't had a female president yet. I'm less sure we haven't had a gay one."

Carter remains one of the most unpopular Presidents in recent times, but President Obama has given him some stiff competition. Recently, even George W. Bush saw his popularity rise above Obama's sagging poll numbers. Promoting the idea of a gay President may be Carter's effort to win favor with the far left. See Chick's SIN CITY.