Carter promotes new book
Ex-president signs latest work for eager Bruins, fans
By Phillip Carter
Daily Bruin Senior Staff
Former president, peanut farmer, senior statesman and now poet
Jimmy Carter came to UCLA yesterday to publicize his new book
titled "Always a Reckoning" in Ackerman Grand Ballroom.
Nearly 2,000 Bruins met Carter and had their books signed during
the two-hour event, sponsored by Random House, Carter’s publisher.
This event is part of a tour the former president is making to
promote his new book.
Those at the front of the line, including Mike Perman, the
campus representative for Prentice-Hall publishers, waited for an
hour and a half, in a line that stretched out of the ballroom and
around the corner of Ackerman Union.
Perman, who was first in line, said, "I came early because I
wanted to make sure I got my book signed  he’s someone who is
a genuine hero."
He added that the book of poetry was very touching and that it
showed a very personal side of the former president.
Carter’s book includes works of varying nature, from those
describing an experience as a peanut farmer to poems about his wife
and children. Many students said they were most deeply moved by his
poem about segregated Georgia, and how it felt to live there.
An overwhelming number of those who came to the event said they
were impressed by Carter, and were honored to be able to meet him.
One student said that he would carry this memory with him for the
rest of his life.
"I had this phrase rehearsed for when I went up there: I said,
‘Thank you for being such a good mentor to me and the rest of the
world,’" said Ivan Osuna, a fourth- year political science student.
"He responded, ‘Thank you very much son, that really means a lot
for me.’"
Carl Weber, a 62-year-old resident of Palos Verdes, echoed
Osuna’s sentiment, saying that he was very touched by Carter’s
visit.
"We didn’t have a chance to chat, but I had a chance to shake
his hand  he seemed very cordial," Weber said.
Students’ association officials and UCLA police officers hurried
students and others through the line to greet Carter, and some
students said that the event felt rushed and impersonal.
"I wish he spent more time with each person  I wanted him
to personalize my book," said Javier Zamora, a fourth-year
political science student. "I was rushed through like it was an
assembly line, and it was very disappointing."
Another student agreed that meeting Carter was a hurried
experience, and also added a critique of his poetry.
"(The signing) was going by so fast, and it’s only once in a
lifetime you get to meet a president," said Khai Nguyen, a
first-year microbiology student. "I think he should keep his day
job  he’s a great leader, and he’s a good man, but I didn’t
think this (poetry book) was vintage Carter."
Despite some critics, most students expressed positive
sentiments after meeting the former president from Georgia.
"His book shows that he’s very personal and in touch with his
feelings and not afraid to express his opinions and feelings," said
second-year law student Marina Llata.
Another student joined Llata in expressing her pleasure at
meeting Carter, saying that though she wasn’t here strictly for
personal reasons, she enjoyed the event nonetheless.
"I’m here for my parents, because my dad is really into
politics, and I’m getting this book signed for him," said Abi
Karlin-Resnick, a first-year psychology student.
"But it’s pretty cool to meet him, because I was only 4 years
old when his administration ended. Carter in person … wow," she
mused.