Jimmy Carter says he's backing a 'quite unpopular' Hillary Clinton

Former President Jimmy Carter, center, works on a Habitat for Humanity construction project in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Adrian Sainz)

Credit: Greg Bluestein

Credit: Greg Bluestein

Former President Jimmy Carter, center, works on a Habitat for Humanity construction project in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Adrian Sainz)

"Everybody knows that I'm a Democrat and I'll be voting Democratic."

That not-so-shocking statement came from former President Jimmy Carter, who confirmed Monday he would vote for Democrat Hillary Clinton. But then he added in a bit of a dig.

"It's been an exciting and unprecedented kind of campaign this year, and unfortunately, the way it's turned out, both choices in the major parties are quite unpopular," Carter told The Associated Press in Memphis. "But I don't have any doubt that one of the candidates is better qualified than the other."

The 91-year-old Georgian, an unofficial Habitat for Humanity ambassador on the mend after being treated for melanoma cancer, made the comments after his 33rd Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project - a five-day campaign to build 19 homes near downtown Memphis.

"Even if you just have one talent, don't underestimate it," Carter said as hundreds of people in toolbelts and Habitat T-shirts munched on bagels and listened raptly to the Nobel Peace Prize winner. "Use it to the fullest."

Oh, and for good measure, Vejnoska reported that Carter wasn't too eager to take more questions about a familiar topic. From her piece:

"Anybody who asks about Donald Trump will be disqualified from the occasion and will have to leave," Carter said with a wide grin. "So, I just want to give that one premise for the question and answer period. We want to stick to Habitat, if you don't mind."