CBS’s Stahl to Jimmy Carter: ‘You Blame Teddy’ for Killing Universal Health Care?

Saturday’s The Early Show on CBS showed a preview clip of correspondent Lesley Stahl interviewing former President Jimmy Carter for 60 Minutes in which Carter blamed former Senator Ted Kennedy for derailing his universal health care plan in the 1970s. Stahl referred to former Senator Kennedy as "Teddy" as she asked Carter if he held Kennedy responsible. Stahl: "And you blame Teddy for the failure?"

A clip of the interview can be found on the CBS News Web site.

Below is a transcript of the segment, introduced by Whit Johnson, from the Saturday, September 18, The Early Show on CBS:

WHIT JOHNSON: Former President Jimmy Carter says Americans could have had a national health care plan years ago had it not been for the late Senator Ted Kennedy. Mr. Carter spoke with 60 Minutes correspondent Leslie Stahl.

FORMER PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER: The fact is that we would have had comprehensive health care now had it not been for Ted Kennedy's deliberately blocking the legislation that I proposed in 1978 or '79.

LESLEY STAHL: And you blame Teddy for the failure?

CARTER: Exactly.

STAHL: Health care, his issue.

CARTER: Exactly. It was his fault. Ted Kennedy killed the bill.

JOHNSON: There you have it. Catch Leslie Stahl’s entire 60 Minutes interview with former President Jimmy Carter tomorrow night at 7 Eastern right here on CBS.