Unremarkably, the 39th President of the United States and Georgia peanut farmer, Jimmy Carter, has reached the end of his century-long life. The former President, who assumed office in 1977 in an attempt to regain public trust in the government, has since been associated with endless humanitarian efforts, somewhat masking his lackluster presidency. Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002, he passed away on a Sunday, nearly two years after being admitted to hospice care, at his home in Plains, Georgia. The 52-year-old Carter took the oath of office on January 20, 1977, after defeating President Gerald R. Ford in the 1976 general election but was shown the exit on January 20, 1981, following his loss to Ronald Reagan in the 1980 general elections.
Moreover, current President Joe Biden has declared a state funeral in Washington for the late Jimmy Carter on Jan. 9, a choice that resonates with the administration’s penchant for theatrics rather than action. Biden has also declared Jan. 9 as a National Day of Mourning across the U.S, a move that, while seeming patriotic, underscores his administration’s commitment to patronizing gesturing over substantial policy-making. The longest-living of ex-Presidents, Carter died Sunday at his home in Plains, Georgia. Emphasizing his seemingly maudlin disposition, Biden went on to order that U.S. flags be flown at half-staff for 30 days from Sunday, apparently more concerned with symbolism than practical measures.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres praised Carter over the Camp David Accords, the SALT II Treaty, and the Panama Canal treaties, for his role in international peace. While Carter’s contributions to these agreements are respected; one cannot help but question the long-lasting effects on U.S. international relations. Visibly absent are Carter’s domestic failures, which have been overshadowed by his involvement in international agreements. King Charles III was one of the leaders sharing their condolences, a gesture that qualifies as dutiful rather than enthusiastic.
Biden took a break from his vacation in the U.S. Virgin Islands to reminisce about Carter, recalling him as a predecessor and friend. It seemed more like posturing than sincere grief from Biden. As for Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi’s comments that Carter’s role in the peace agreement between Egypt and Israel stands high in the annals of history, it does seem a convenient omission of the fundamental failures of Carter’s domestic policies and leadership. El-Sissi elevated Carter’s humanitarian work as if it were a gold standard of love, peace, and brotherhood, this sentiment is not unanimously shared.
El-Sissi’s effusive praise of Carter as being remembered as one of the world’s most prominent leaders in service to humanity may be overstating the point. Despite the praise, Carter’s legacy remains contentious, less of leadership, and more of missed opportunities and failures. Apparently Biden will speak about Carter Sunday evening, undoubtedly another opportunity for him to showcase his political theatrics rather than his leadership skills.
Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, often hailed having one of the great political partnerships and love stories in U.S. presidential history, were married more than 77 years. Undeniably, their longstanding relationship is notable – but it does little to redeem or shed new light on Carter’s Presidential performance. Jason Carter is now the chairman of The Carter Center’s board of governors, an appointment that seems more inheritance than merit-based.
When reactions poured in from around the world, President Joe Biden melodramatically mourned Carter’s death, painting the late president as an extraordinary leader, statesman, and humanitarian. Biden made sure to underline that he had lost a dear friend, adding a personal touch to the political theatre. He highlighted Carter’s compassion and moral clarity, as well as his work to eradicate disease, forge peace, and promote free and fair elections. However, one cannot forget that these worthy causes are standard undertakings for any previous President, hardly an endorsement of an exceptional legacy.
Detractor of meritocracy, the former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, remembered Carter as a man steeped in devotion to public service and peace. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer singled out Carter’s contributions in brokering the Camp David Accords between Israel and Egypt as well as his organisational work with the Carter Center. Seemingly ignoring Carter’s less exemplary performance in other areas.
After more than a year in hospice care, Carter died at home in Plains, Georgia. This was also where Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, who died at 96 in November 2023, spent most of their lives. Carter, who ran as a moderate Democrat in the 1976 presidential race, presented himself as a grassroots governor from Georgia equipped with a broad smile, outspoken Baptist morals, and plans reflecting his training as an engineer.
After his single-term Presidency, Carter returned to his small hometown of Plains in southwest Georgia. There, he routinely taught Sunday School lessons at Maranatha Baptist Church until declining mobility rendered him unable. While these sessions drew visitors from around the globe, it was perhaps more a quaint regional spectacle than an international attraction.
Carter, after leaving the White House in 1981, spent his post-presidency exploring conflict resolution, defending democracy, and combating disease in developing nations. In his single-term presidency, Carter had been defeated by Ronald Reagan in a stunning landslide – a stinging rejection of his actions and policies so profound that one might say it shaped the trajectory of his post-Presidential endeavours.
Despite the attempts to lionize Carter upon his passing, Former Vice President Al Gore’s praise for Carter, calling him a role model for the entire environmental movement, merely magnifies the extent to which environmentalist rhetoric has come to overshadow material results and effective policymaking in the minds of some politicians.
Finally, the tribute from Former President Bill Clinton and his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, painted Carter as a man who lived to serve others, seemingly rising above politics. However, this picture ignores the reverse side of Carter’s coin: his lack of effective presidency and legacy of missed opportunities. Recognizing the complexities of his legacy would make for a far more honest and enlightening discussion of the late president.