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PLAINS, Georgia — Newly wed and officially a Naval officer, Jimmy Carter set out in 1946 from his modest hometown, eager to advance in his career and explore the world.
However, the unexpected passing of his father, a farmer known locally as “Mr. Earl,” compelled Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, to return to the rural lifestyle they thought they had left behind.
Although he may never have achieved the rank of admiral, he made his mark as commander-in-chief, and later, earned worldwide recognition as a Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
James Earl Carter Jr. passed away Sunday at the age of 100 in the town that played a crucial role in shaping his journey—Plains.
This small town not only marked the rise of the 39th president of the United States but also provided solace after his political fall and supported him during four decades dedicated to humanitarian causes around the globe.
Drawing on an optimism borne from his Baptist faith and an engineer’s unwavering confidence, Carter approached problem-solving with a mission-driven zeal and sought to make a significant social impact.
“We shouldn’t judge presidents merely by their popularity during their time in office,” stated Jonathan Alter, a biographer of Carter.
“Rather, we should assess them by their contributions to improving the nation and the world. By that measure, while Carter may not rank among the very elite of American presidents, he certainly holds his ground well.”
Many Americans, however, perceived his presidency as ineffectual, critiquing his inability to resolve an energy crisis, revamp the economy, or swiftly secure the release of American hostages from Tehran.
Nevertheless, his legacy shone through the establishment of The Carter Center in 1982, which has championed issues related to public health, human rights, and democratic governance, along with the years he and Rosalynn dedicated to Habitat for Humanity.
Carter’s allies appreciated that he and his wife, who passed away on November 19, 2023, lived long enough to witness a shift in historical perspectives regarding his presidency.
“He doesn’t neatly fit into today’s polarized political spectrum,” remarked U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, a frequent visitor during his own presidential campaign.
Buttigieg added, “While he identified as ‘progressive’ or ‘conservative,’ there’s something radical about his profound commitment to advocating for those sidelined by society.”
Carter aimed to restore America’s ethical standing after the disillusionment brought on by Vietnam and Watergate with a transparent government approach, which resonated poorly with Republicans who perceived government as the issue itself.
Ironically, his focus on efficient governance occasionally placed him at odds with fellow Democrats.
In spite of this, he achieved significant advancements in environmental policy, education, and mental health services; expanded federally protected areas; initiated deregulation in transportation; emphasized human rights in foreign policy; and notably, his tenure increased the national debt by only a small margin compared to subsequent administrations.
In 1976, Carter had won the hearts of voters with his affable demeanor and promises of honesty.
However, upon taking office, he was often perceived as a rather stern engineer, prioritizing rationality over charisma and insisting that political success ought to follow factual decision-making.
This unyielding nature allowed him to broker peace between Israel’s Menachem Begin and Egypt’s Anwar Sadat at Camp David, but it hindered him in energizing the nation, as he sought to lead Americans through what he termed a “crisis of confidence.”
Ronald Reagan, his Republican challenger, cleverly capitalized on Carter’s earnestness, famously responding “there you go again” during a debate, ultimately leading to Carter securing only six states in the election.
Carter later expressed a disconnect with Washington insiders who viewed his team as merely “country come to town.”
His closest advisor remained his wife, who actively participated in Cabinet meetings.
When she advised him to delay ceding control of the Panama Canal, Carter maintained that he was committed to doing what was ethically right, even at the cost of political repercussions, as recalled by her aide, Kathy Cade.
“She would remind him that you need to win to govern,” Cade noted.
Carter skillfully bridged divides around race, class, and ideology, presenting himself as an outsider from a small-town background—the peanut farmer who carried his own bags.
Born on October 1, 1924, in a household lacking running water and electricity, he had a progressive mother and a father with deeply ingrained racist views.
Although he and Rosalynn quietly supported desegregation in the 1950s, he did not actively pursue school desegregation, and there is no evidence that he advocated for the 1965 Voting Rights Act while serving as a state senator.
Carter positioned himself strategically to win the 1970 gubernatorial race by navigating the political landscape to his advantage.
He gained national attention by asserting “the time for racial discrimination is over,” yet only formed relationships with the family of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. during his presidential campaign.
“He cleverly leveraged his Southern identity,” remarked Amber Roessner, a University of Tennessee professor and author of a book detailing Carter’s campaign.
Carter was the last Democratic candidate to sweep the Deep South, and his presidency was marked by an unprecedented number of nonwhite appointments compared to previous administrations.
Reflecting years later, Carter expressed disbelief at not consulting Rosalynn before relocating their family back to Plains or during his bid for the state Senate, recognizing her as a “full partner” in both governance and family life.
“I just loved it,” she recalled fondly about the campaign trail, despite the sting of losing.
Despite the label of a failed presidency influencing many leading Democrats to avoid him for years, Carter maintained his relevance over the decades, engaging in diplomacy, authoring over 30 books, and addressing pressing societal issues.
Following Donald Trump’s ascent to the presidency, he asserted that America was no longer fully functioning as a democracy, yet he cautioned Democrats against veering too far left, as it could inadvertently aid in Trump’s re-election, noting that many failed to appreciate the populist resonance of the former president.
In recent years, visits to Plains have again drawn aspiring presidents, and well into their 90s, the Carters warmly welcomed attendees at Maranatha Baptist Church, where he taught Sunday School and where he will be laid to rest.
During his final presidential address, Carter urged all Americans, regardless of their stance towards him, to contribute positively as citizens.
“The fight for human rights transcends all distinctions of color, nation, or language,” he emphasized.
“Those yearning for freedom and dignity, those suffering for justice—they are the true patriots in this struggle.”
Carter affirmed his intention to stay engaged as he returned to the South, the land of his upbringing—where he had ultimately achieved the status of “a fellow citizen of the world.”
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