Honestly, Carter wasn’t that bad a President. He was dealt a poor set of cards and did what he could with them. Changes his administration did would later pay dividends for Reagan. That’s how it works out in politics. One President makes the right moves whose results the next President takes credit for.
Carter was also kind of a mild palate cleanser from the distasteful Nixon administration, but he doesn’t get enough credit for his political skills. In the 1970 governor’s race, Carter ran as a segregationist proxy. That’s not to say he publicly supported segregation, but he let voters believe he did. The moment he got into office he immediately denounced it. By immediate I mean in his inauguration speech. It takes some talent to walk that fine a line in Southern politics and come out clean on the other end. While President Carter may not have been right for that job, he is a spectacular example of how to live a post-Presidency life of service, commitment and humility. You don’t see him giving multi- thousand dollar speeches and living high on the hog. A true gentleman and humanitarian. Roslyn, as well.
Ah! Let us remember at the start of 2021, the entire U.S. and really the world was blessed with this image of former President James and First Lady Rosalynn Carter.
A picture is worth 1,000 words, right? What might this image represent? The image certainly shows the best of the former U.S. president with his wife of 74 years, who since leaving the White House in 1981 has been a global force for human rights and goodness and has won the Nobel Peace Prize. For U.S. citizens, it shows an example of the greatest of U.S. ideals and strength as history’s oldest former living president and his wife still are going strong into their mid-90s. For humanity, it shows a rare glimpse of the human spirit at its best as a man who has survived so many health crises is still living life to the fullest.
That depends on how do you define “right for the job”?
America’s international partners and allies had nothing but respect for the US in those days… and by “respect” I mean the real article, not fear of reprisals if we did not do as we were told.
Jimmy Carter was one of America’s best presidents, ever. IMHO.
The only reason this enchanting and inspiring couple cannot make it to the Inauguration is because of the coronavirus pandemic. This will be the first swearing-in the couple has missed since their own event in 1977, but the couple does send their “best wishes,” and “look forward to a successful administration.” Certainly, they will be there in heart and spirit.
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