"And if the US was just a little bit more sensitive to the Islamic terrorists (as I was during the Iran hostage crisis in the 1979 and 80) we'd really have no need to fight the war on terror--it is a useless war. It's about time everyone see it in a peaceful way....if we have to bend over and invite Usama bin-laden to the White House for 4-8 years so beit..." Jimmy Carter circa 2002
Mathews should have done a little studying if he really wanted to play hardball with Carter! (some excerpts below from Carter's 1980 state of the union address)
http://www.jimmycarterlibrary.org/documents/speeches/su80jec.phtml
Let our position be absolutely clear: An attempt by any outside force to gain control of the Persian Gulf region will be regarded as an assault on the vital interests of the United States of America, and such an assault will be repelled by any means necessary, including military force.
I believe that our volunteer forces are adequate for current defense needs, and I hope that it will not become necessary to impose a draft. However, we must be prepared for that possibility. For this reason, I have determined that the Selective Service System must now be revitalized. I will send legislation and budget proposals to the Congress next month so that we can begin registration and then meet future mobilization needs rapidly if they arise.