Final answer:
President Carter acknowledged in his "Crisis of Confidence" speech that the American people had lost faith in their government and proposed ways to address the energy crisis. Though initially well-received for its honesty, the speech was later criticized for lacking a detailed plan, leading to a decline in public perception of Carter and his presidency. therefore, option A is correct
Step-by-step explanation:
In President Jimmy Carter's "Crisis of Confidence" speech, he acknowledged that A. He said the American people had lost faith in their government, and he laid out a plan to address the energy crisis.
The address, more commonly referred to as the "Malaise" speech, although Carter never used the word "malaise", was delivered in July 1979. In it, he provided a frank overview of the nation's struggles, focusing on the lack of faith Americans had in their government's capability to handle the crises, including the energy crisis. While initially valued for its candor, the speech was later criticized for lacking a concrete plan and details on how to overcome these challenges, leading to a decline in Carter’s public perception.
Additionally, President Carter addressed the energy crisis, denouncing the irresponsibility around private and public debt, and called on Americans to acknowledge their role in the nation's issues. However, Carter also faced criticism for not providing a reassuring plan of action, which became a significant factor in the negative shift of public opinion towards his presidency.