Pushing back a liberal “Anyone But Carter” movement led by California Gov. Jerry Brown and Sen. Frank Church, D-Idaho, the nomination had wrapped up in June. Aided by a colossal mistake by the Republican vice presidential candidate, Senator Bob Dole of Kansas, who dismissed the American-led victories in both World War I and World War II as “Democratic wars,” Carter defeated President Ford with 50.1% of the votes. vote.
Carter strove to project a modest image to a scandal-weary nation. He walked down Pennsylvania Avenue during his inaugural parade. He carried his own suitcases on Air Force One. And there were his constant messages to Americans that he could not tackle the nation’s problems alone, often in modest public appearances and wearing sweaters.
‘Absolutely and completely at ease with death’
Throughout his busy post-presidency, Carter wrote… a lot. He wrote more than two dozen books, some with his wife. And as always, his faith and his humble roots remained his guides. He continued to teach Sunday school at his hometown church, Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, until the pandemic hit in early 2020, forcing him and his wife to forego most public commitments.
Carter still participated in church activities via video amid the pandemic.
“When I finished being governor, I came back to Plains,” he told the congregation in August 2015. “When I finished being president, I came back to Plains, and now no matter where we are in the world, I really want to get back to house in Plains.”
Carter was the only living president besides Donald Trump not to attend Biden’s inauguration in 2021 due to the pandemic. It was the first inauguration Carter missed as a former president.
Trump sent his condolences to the Carter family on Sunday afternoon, saying he owed “a debt of gratitude” to Carter for his work.
“The challenges Jimmy faced as president came at a crucial time for our country and he did everything in his power to improve the lives of all Americans. For that, we all owe him a debt of gratitude,” Trump wrote. “Melania and I think fondly of the Carter family and their loved ones during this difficult time. We urge everyone to keep them in their hearts and prayers.”
Biden and first lady Jill Biden visited the Carters in Georgia in April 2021. “We sat and talked about old times,” Biden said afterward.
Biden paid tribute to Carter on Sunday night, addressing the nation from St. Croix, where Biden is vacationing.
Biden praised Carter, whom he called “a dear friend,” for his “decency” and character.
“Jimmy Carter lived a life measured not by words, but by his deeds,” Biden said.
He recalled Carter’s work in and out of the Oval Office and said that Carter’s “compassion and moral clarity uplifted people and changed lives around the world.”
“Just look at his life, his life’s work. He worked to eradicate diseases, not only at home, but around the world. “He forged peace, advanced civil rights and human rights, promoted free and fair elections around the world, built housing and homes for the homeless,” Biden said.
Biden said in a statement Sunday that he and the first lady were saddened by the passing of Carter, whom they called a “dear friend.”
“Today, America and the world lost an extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian. For six decades, we had the honor of calling Jimmy Carter a dear friend. But the extraordinary thing about Jimmy Carter is that millions of people across America and the world who never met him also considered him a dear friend,” Joe and Jill Biden wrote.
Former President Barack Obama commemorated Carter in a post on X, saying that Carter “taught us all what it means to live a life of grace, dignity, justice and service.” In a longer statement, Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama said Carter had embodied those values.
“Every time I had the opportunity to spend time with President Carter, it was clear that he not only espoused these values. He embodied them. And in doing so, he taught us all what it means to live a life of grace, dignity, justice and service. In his Nobel acceptance speech, President Carter said, “God gives us the ability to choose.” We can choose to alleviate suffering. We can choose to work together for peace.” “He made that decision again and again throughout his 100 years, and the world is better for it,” the Obamas said.
Former President George W. Bush also sent his “heartfelt” condolences, as well as those of former first lady Laura Bush, to the Carter family.
“James Earl Carter, Jr., was a man of deeply held convictions. He was loyal to his family, his community and his country. President Carter dignified the office. And his efforts to leave a better world did not end with the presidency. “His work with Habitat for Humanity and the Carter Center set an example of service that will inspire Americans for generations,” Bush wrote.
“We join our fellow citizens in giving thanks for Jimmy Carter and praying for his family,” he added.
Habitat for Humanity issued its own statement mourning the death of the group’s longtime ally.
“President and Mrs. Carter began volunteering at Habitat for Humanity near their home in southwest Georgia more than 40 years ago, and soon brought global attention to the need for decent, affordable housing. We are grateful for the incredible impact the Carters have had on Habitat and the families who have benefited from their shining example. The Carters put Habitat for Humanity on the map and their legacy lives on in every family we serve around the world,” said Habitat for Humanity CEO Jonathan Reckford.
When Carter turned 100 in October, his grandson Jason Carter told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the former president had said he wanted to wait until November to cast his vote for the Democratic presidential candidate, Vice President Kamala Harris.
Harris added her voice to the chorus of mourners, saying in a statement Sunday night that “the world is a better place because of President Carter.”
“Jimmy Carter’s life is a testament to the power of service, as a lieutenant in the United States Navy, 76th governor of Georgia, and 39th president of the United States. He reminded our nation and the world that there is strength in decency . and compassion,” Harris said.
Carter was diagnosed with melanoma in 2015, a virulent form of skin cancer that had spread to the liver and brain. He underwent experimental treatment with the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab, also known as Keytruda, and a few months later announced that doctors had ended his treatments after finding no signs of tumors.
Carter spent much of the second half of 2019, just before the pandemic hit, in the hospital for brain surgery, infections and two falls that resulted in a fractured hip and pelvis.
He returned to teaching Sunday school at Maranatha Baptist Church two weeks after fracturing his pelvis. At the time he told the congregation that since doctors told him in 2015 that the cancer had spread to his brain, he had felt “absolutely and completely at ease with death.”
