AMY GOODMAN: And back at the convention, tonight’s headlining speakers include former President Bill Clinton. While Clinton is being given a prime-time slot, controversy still surrounds former President Jimmy Carter’s diminished role at the convention.

Carter was removed from Monday’s speakers’ list in what appeared to be a last-minute change. Instead, Carter was shown in a three-minute videotaped address focusing on his work around Hurricane Katrina. He was then brought onto the stage for a ninety-second ovation for the crowd with his wife Rosalynn. The move immediately fueled speculation Carter is being sidelined for his outspoken criticism of the Bush administration and Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and Gaza.

I asked President Carter about his apparent demotion in the halls of the convention center afterwards.

AMY GOODMAN: We were hoping to hear you tonight. What happened?


JIMMY CARTER: Well, I was on the program.


AMY GOODMAN: Did you speak?


JIMMY CARTER: No, I had a —-


AMY GOODMAN: I know. I saw you wave.


JIMMY CARTER: —- video. No, well, we had a video ahead of time. You didn’t see the movie.


AMY GOODMAN: Yeah, I saw the video. It was very good.


JIMMY CARTER: That was it.


AMY GOODMAN: What message do you have for Barack Obama, how to avoid getting swift-boated?


JIMMY CARTER: I think he’s going to be immune from that, because the truth will emerge no matter how much the Republicans try to distort the truth. So I have confidence in him.


AMY GOODMAN: And what do you think of the choice of Biden?


JIMMY CARTER: Perfect.

AMY GOODMAN: President Jimmy Carter, after he did not address the Democratic convention on Monday night. I spoke to him in the halls of the Pepsi Convention Center.