Jimmy Carter: The Compassionate and Honorable Peacemaker America Needed | US News

In the late 1970s, America found itself struggling, grappling with the fallout from a contentious war and the Watergate scandal.

Then emerged a figure named Jimmy.

“Jimmy who?” was the bewildered response from many when a peanut farmer named Jimmy Carter declared his candidacy for the presidency.

Outside his native Georgia, where he had been Governor, James Earl Carter Jr. was largely unknown.

However, it soon became clear that Jimmy Carter was precisely what America needed in the 1970s.

Following the political upheaval of Nixon and Watergate, along with the tumult of the Vietnam War, the nation longed for stability, calm, and integrity.

The 39th president of the United States did not bring the drama associated with his predecessors or successors.

Nevertheless, throughout a remarkably long life, marked by a brief presidency, Jimmy Carter established a significant legacy that warrants extensive reflection.

Carter the healer

“Compassionate,” “honourable,” “peacemaker,” “healer.”

These descriptors frequently characterize the American leader with the longest lifespan to date.

Late 1970s America was a nation still reeling from the Watergate fallout and the scandalous presidency of Richard Nixon, followed by the unexpected presidency of Gerald Ford.

Read more: Former US president Jimmy Carter dies

The larger context included a lengthy and humiliating defeat in the Vietnam War, marred by a national tragedy.

In walks Jimmy Carter, aged 52; five feet seven inches tall—his unpretentious demeanor both physically and character-wise.

From peanut farmer to submariner to politician, he emerged as a representative of the populace, embodying the belief that any government is only as good as its people.

His healing attributes, deeply woven into his life, were evident from the very first day of his presidency.

In a courageous act, he granted unconditional pardons to hundreds of thousands of men who had dodged the Vietnam War draft.

He asserted that the pardon was essential “to heal our country after the Vietnam War.”

Amid the deep divisions incited by the war, he remarked: “We can now agree to respect those differences and to forget them.”

He set forth a bold vision for compassionate center-left politics, which would be emulated by later presidents like Clinton, Obama, and Biden.

Yet, his tenure as president lasted only a single term.

During those four years, he confronted significant challenges: an energy crisis, Soviet threats, and upheaval in Iran—issues that remain relevant today.

A childhood that shaped a presidency

Jimmy Carter was born on October 1, 1924, in the same town where he passed away—Plains, Georgia.

His formative years unquestionably shaped the man and leader he would grow into.

Georgia in the 1930s was steeped in segregation, a landscape where two Americas coexisted, divided by racism.

However, Carter’s mother, a nurse, bravely defied segregation laws, fostering an environment of coexistence in a time when it was scarce.

Years later, he would share with American talk show host Oprah Winfrey that all his childhood friends were black.

This upbringing profoundly influenced his mindset and ultimately his ability to change history in later years.

As a young man, Jimmy Carter joined the Navy, serving as a submariner—a role that demands a unique character.

The passing of his father in 1953 brought him back to Georgia, where he took over the family peanut farm.

Yet, politics called. Issues of race and racism spurred his activism within the Democratic Party.

By the 1960s, this drive propelled him into the state senate, ultimately leading him to become the Governor of Georgia by 1970.

The long-shot president

He emerged as an underdog candidate; a long-shot who made it all the way to the presidency.

His childhood experiences of coexistence over discord were woven throughout his presidency, leading to significant But frequently overlooked accomplishments.

President Carter understood and valued the impact of American leadership in the advocacy for human rights.

Global achievements

His direct message to the white leadership in South Africa played a pivotal role in catalyzing the end of Apartheid, paving the way for a peaceful future.

His influence in the Middle East was profound, albeit controversial.

The Camp David Accords stand as Carter’s most significant foreign policy triumph, successfully uniting Israel and its then-greatest adversary, Egypt.

The iconic image of Carter holding the clasped hands of Egyptian President Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Begin on the White House lawn in September 1978 symbolizes the foundational principles underlying Middle Eastern coexistence today.

With this agreement, he achieved more for Israeli security than any American president had in decades while simultaneously demonstrating compassion for the Palestinian plight, a sentiment largely absent from his predecessors.

In subsequent years, even after leaving office, he was among the first to accuse Israel of implementing an apartheid regime against the Palestinians.

A presidency overshadowed by ‘events’

His presidency saw the Cold War escalate. A cautious Carter abandoned a significant arms reduction treaty with the Soviet Union, raising tensions, but ultimately contributing to the USSR’s collapse.

With Britain, he nurtured a so-called ‘special relationship’; he was close with British Prime Minister James Callaghan.

However, unforeseen ‘events’ disrupted his vision, leading to the unraveling of his presidency.

In Iran, a revolution unfolded, and American hostages were taken. Diplomats endured over a year in captivity, and a daring rescue attempt ordered by President Carter ended tragically, resulting in the deaths of eight American servicemen, with Carter facing the blame.

After just one term, Carter exited the presidency. Economic struggles led the American public to turn to the Republican showman Ronald Reagan, seeking the optimism that had faded under Carter’s administration.

Misjudged by history?

History can often be unforgiving and skewed. Many of Carter’s accomplishments were credited to Reagan in the years that followed.

It was Carter who laid the groundwork for coexistence in the Middle East; though he faced disappointment from partners later on, his vision remains central to any potential resolution in the region. It could be argued that no other American president since has done more to address the complexities of the Middle East than Carter.

Regarding the Cold War, it was Carter’s choice to abandon the détente with the Soviet Union that ultimately contributed to its downfall. Reagan would not have been able to demand Gorbachev to ‘tear down this wall’ without Carter’s earlier leadership.

Democratic presidents since have frequently taken inspiration from Carter’s core principles, yet the party distanced itself from him.

A legacy beyond politics

This ‘involuntary retirement,’ as Carter would later describe it, left many aspirations unfulfilled; only after leaving office did he begin to forge the legacy he truly wanted.

Alongside his wife, Rosalynn, he established The Carter Center, a charity anchored in his principle of healing.

The charity’s initiatives—conflict resolution, disease prevention, and democratic promotion—continue robustly today, representing his legacy across 80 nations globally.

In 2002, this impactful work earned him the Nobel Peace Prize.

Furthermore, under his guidance, it has made significant strides toward the near-eradication of Guinea Worm Disease, with only 15 cases reported globally as of 2021—an incredible feat.

In America, the charity Habitat for Humanity was central to the Carters’ fundraising efforts. For many years, Jimmy and Rosalynn were seen helping to build and renovate homes for some of the nation’s most disadvantaged families.

Away from the public eye, at his lifelong residence in Plains, Georgia, President Carter pursued hobbies as a painter, furniture maker, winemaker, and author of an impressive 32 books.

The passing of his wife Rosalynn last year must have been a tremendous loss for him.

She was his constant companion, his best friend, his advisor, and his partner since 1946.

Throughout the years, he has frequently been asked to share the secret of their strong bond, with his response always being: ‘never go to bed angry.’

‘Always make peace,’ he advised.

In much more than just marriage, this principle defined President Carter’s approach to life.

He is survived by his four children: Jack, James (Chip), Donnel (Jeff), and Amy, along with 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.