Kearns Goodwin Laments Carter, Clinton Won't Speak at Reagan Service

Democratic Party historian Doris Kearns Goodwin said Friday morning she was disappointed that ex-presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter haven't been invited to speak at Ronald Reagan's funeral.

"It would have been a good thing to have them speak, especially for Carter," she told radio host Don Imus. "I feel bad for him. It's been a bad week when you think about how many people have said, 'After the horrible Carter years, here came Reagan.'"

"Carter has so thoroughly re-established himself in his post-presidency," she added, that "having him have a chance to speak would have been nice, yes."

Asked about Reagan's death on Sunday, Carter refused to offer a statement to reporters, but later told his Sunday school class that Reagan was "a formidable communicator and campaigner." He added, "It was because of him that I was retired from my last job."

When Imus pointed out that having Clinton speak at Reagan's service was like "having Courtney Love talk at Mother Tersea's funeral," Kearns Goodwin sounded confused, asking, "You mean he might go on too long?"

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