ANDREA MITCHELL: Now, there's been a lot of criticism of his policy regarding drones and the NSA surveillance. And the N.S.A. has argued that this kind of intelligence gathering is critical to try to protect the American homeland?



FORMER PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER: That has been extremely liberalized and, I think, abused by our own intelligence agencies. As a matter of fact, you know, I have felt that my own communications are probably monitored. And when I want to communicate with a foreign leader privately, I type or write a letter myself, put it in the post office, and mail it. (LAUGH)



ANDREA MITCHELL: Old fashioned snail mail--



JIMMY CARTER: Old-- yeah. Yeah. Because I believe if I send an email, it will be monitored. (LAUGH)