Former Democratic president Jimmy Carter said Wednesday that he would choose Donald Trump for the Republican presidential nomination over Ted Cruz.
"I think I would choose Trump, which may surprise some of you," Carter, 91, who was in the White House from 1977 to 1981, said in taking questions after speaking to the British House of Lords in London.
Carter's remarks, in response to a question about American politics, brought laughter from the audience,
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
"The reason is, Trump has proven already he’s completely malleable," the former president explained. "I don’t think he has any fixed positions that he’d go the White House and fight for.
"On the other hand, Ted Cruz is not malleable," he added. "He has far-right wing policies he'd pursue if he became president."
Regarding the Democratic contest, Carter referenced Bernie Sanders' strong showing Monday in the Iowa caucuses.
"Bernie Sanders has had a remarkable showing, particularly among young people," he said. "In Iowa, he had 85 percent of young people’s support.
"I don’t know what the final result will be," Carter added, but "my own personal opinion is that it's very likely Hillary Clinton will still prevail in the Democratic Party.
"Of course, I’m a Democrat and I will support the nominee."
Carter was in London to speak about the Carter Center's efforts to eliminate Guinea worm disease worldwide, the Journal-Constitution reports.
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