Jimmy Carter actually said...

"We hope and we expect that the conflict between Iran and Iraq will not have any effect on the safety or lives of the hostages."

"The worst thing I could do as President would be to escalate this disruption or altercation between Iran and Iraq to an even greater international crisis because of ill-considered decisions by myself."

"I pray to God that I'll go out of office, hopefully at the end of 5 more years, still with our Nation at peace."

"The office of the Presidency is a major and vital force in the life of every human being in this country and every family, perhaps in the entire world."