1979: President Carter 'malaise' moment

In the summer of 1979, a frustrated President Carter made that famous “malaise” speech that probably sank his presidency:

“On the evening of July 15, 1979, millions of Americans tuned in to hear Jimmy Carter give themost important speech of his presidency. After sharing some of the criticism he had heard at Camp David — including an unattributed quote from the young governor of Arkansas, Bill Clinton — Carter put his own spin on Caddell’s argument. “The solution of our energy crisis can also help us to conquer the crisis of the spirit in our country,” the president said, asking Americans to join him in adapting to a new age of limits.   
But he also admonished them, “In a nation that was proud of hard work, strong families, close-knit communities and our faith in God, too many of us now tend to worship self-indulgence and consumption. Human identity is no longer defined by what one does but by what one owns.” Hendrik Hertzberg, who worked on the speech, admits that it “was more like a sermon than a political speech.
It had the themes of confession, redemption, and sacrifice. He was bringing the American people into this spiritual process that he had been through, and presenting them with an opportunity for redemption as well as redeeming himself.”
Though he never used the word — Caddell had in his memo — it became known as Carter’s “malaise” speech.”

Fair or unfair, the speech and the word he didn’t use defined President Carter.  He spoke of a “new age of limits” and that just exposed him to attacks from then Governor Reagan, the ultimate optimist about the US.  The US is not a country of “limits.”  It does not seem to like leaders who tell them to “downsize” their dreams.

P. S. You can hear CANTO TALK here & follow me on Twitter @ scantojr.