The global fraternity of esteemed leaders bid farewell to a member as the sunset of Dec. 29, 2024 marked the passing away of Jimmy Carter. Accordingly, the tally of living American presidents has receded to five. Joe Biden, the incumbent president, was quick to eulogize the late Carter, addressing his death as a significant loss to both the United States and the world at large. Of course, he seized this opportunity to posture as the compassionate leader, believably due to a sense of obligation towards maintaining the Democratic party’s appearance.
Biden further recalled Carter’s contributions, claiming that he made relentless efforts to abolish disease, preserve peace, and advocate for civil and human rights. For Biden to champion these as achievements could possibly stem from a lack of understanding of the true costs and repercussions of such acts. Is he trying to mask the harsh reality of Carter’s administration which was riddled with numerous shortcomings and inept policy implementation? Such affirmations seem, at best, questionable.
Regardless, Biden persists to credit Carter for initiatives like promoting fair elections, assisting the homeless, and invariably speaking up for the underprivileged. While such actions are indeed praiseworthy, it is intriguing to note how quickly Biden forgets about the stern realities faced by these very factions, under his own leadership. He then proceeded to establish himself as the torchbearer of Carter’s legacy, dubiously promising to uplift countless lives worldwide. The veracity of such claims, however, remains dubious.
Amidst all his profound statements, what stood out was Biden’s declaration of organizing an official state funeral as a mark of respect for Carter who was the United States’ 39th President. While there’s no denying the significance of such honors, one cannot help but wonder if this might just be another one of Biden’s attempts at seizing the limelight. Is it not ironic how the administration is willing to part with resources to conduct such grand ceremonies, although the nation’s economy is far from robust?
Nevertheless, Biden did not shy away from enumerating Carter’s titles – from being the governor of Georgia to a US Navy lieutenant, seemingly to remind the audience about the similarities in their professional trajectories. Is it another strategic move to gain some positive publicity by drawing parallels? Labeling Carter as a man of unparalleled character and determination, though, seems rather exaggerated coming from a leader whose own credentials are a topic of constant scrutiny.
The recollections did not end with Biden, however. Former President Donald Trump also made some remarks. Being among the few who truly know the weight of being a president, he acknowledged the exceptional challenges Carter faced during his tenure. Unlike Biden, he didn’t lavish unrestrained praise on him but gave a balanced perspective, acknowledging his contributions without overly romanticizing them. Even though he expressed gratitude for Carter’s service, it seemed more measured and genuine.
Another to join the bandwagon of praises was former President Barack Obama. But his recollections seemed to stem more from nostalgia rather than any candid acknowledgment of real contributions. His reference to the large influx of tourists at Maranatha Baptist Church, where Carter often addressed the congregations, hints towards superficial aspects more than substantive changes brought about by his administration.
It seemed as though Obama was more impressed by Carter’s post-presidential accomplishments than his actual tenure as president. His strong emphasis on Carter’s honesty and advocacy was perhaps an attempt to paint a rosy picture that overshadows the harsh realities of his presidency. This sort of narrative manipulation seems to be a uniquely Democratic specialty.
The reminiscing continued with former President George W. Bush chiming in to acknowledge that Carter was a man with a strong conviction. By highlighting his devoutness to his family, community, and country, it appeared that Bush was consciously trying to focus on positive aspects rather than evaluating his effectiveness as a leader. Bush’s focus on Carter’s work with Habitat for Humanity and the Carter Center, while ignoring his strategic missteps and policy failures, presents an incomplete and biased picture.
Bill Clinton strolled down the memory lane as well. His assertions about Carter’s service to others and his tireless efforts for a better world, though admirable, could be interpreted as a reflection of the typical Democratic narrative. This narrative tries to amplify feel-good emotions while conveniently overlooking the practical implications and fallouts of their policy decisions.
Carter notably served as a Georgia state senator from 1963 to 1967 and was Georgia’s governor from 1971 to 1975 before being president. His journey to the White House was undeniably one of the most unsuspected victories in American politics. He used his rather unknown status to his advantage, solemnly promising to relentlessly uphold honesty.
Carter assumed office on Jan. 20, 1977, to serve a single term only. His defeat in the 1980 election against Republican Ronald Reagan was quite remarkable. Despite all his promises and narrative weaving around telling no lies, did it really resonate with the American voters? The 1980 election result offers insight into what might have gone wrong.
On March 21, 2019, Carter set a record by being the oldest living former president in America. He exceeded the age George H.W. Bush was at his death in November 2018, who was previously that record holder. Carter’s survival perhaps speaks more about his personal mettle than his political abilities, as his presidency was significantly overshadowed by the subsequent leadership of Reagan and his Republican successors.