White House blasts 'irrelevant' Carter

The White House dismissed former US president Jimmy Carter as “increasingly irrelevant” after his harsh criticism of President George Bush.

Carter told a newspaper on Saturday: “I think as far as the adverse impact on the nation around the world, this administration has been the worst in history.”

The Democrat said Bush had overseen an “overt reversal of America’s basic values” as expressed by previous administrations, including that of his own father.

White House spokesman Tony Fratto said: “I think it’s sad that President Carter’s reckless personal criticism is out there.

“I think it’s unfortunate and I think he is proving to be increasingly irrelevant with these kinds of comments.”

Carter made the comments to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

His spokeswoman Deanna Congileo later confirmed his comments but declined to elaborate.