Good Man and Bad President Jimmy Carter
Jimmy Carter was a good man but a bad president. He was also unlucky. A one-term president, he served during a time of deep crisis—some of his own making, others beyond his control. The weak economy of the 1970s, hit by multiple shocks, defined his presidency. The oil shock of the decade led to high inflation and unemployment, causing widespread dissatisfaction with his leadership. One of his key decisions was appointing Paul Volcker as Chair of the Federal Reserve. While Volcker’s policies eventually reduced inflation, the benefits and credit largely went to Carter’s successor.
Carter’s style of governance was rooted in attention to detail, micromanagement, and telling hard truths—often to his detriment. He presented himself as an outsider and acted in a more human, smaller role, akin to a head of state. Above all, he prioritised public service and duty for the greater good—a trait that defined his post-presidential years. A reformer and a strong defender of civil and human rights, Carter did some of his most important work outside the White House. He never allowed his presidency to define him. Avoiding the lucrative path of paid speeches, he focused instead on the hard work of progress.
Above all else, Carter was a public servant—modest and honest. His biggest flaw was his stubbornness as an outsider, which left him isolated and unable to work effectively with his own party. However, this same quality became a strength after leaving office. While his presidency is widely considered a failure, he laid the groundwork for his successors’ successes.
The Iranian hostage crisis exemplifies his misfortune. Carter authorised a daring but failed rescue mission, yet he worked tirelessly until the final minutes of his presidency to negotiate their release. The hostages were freed mere minutes after Ronald Reagan took office. This incident highlights Carter’s bad luck and the potential humiliation inflicted by Iran—though whether the delay was intentional or coincidental remains unclear. Carter’s hard work often went unrecognised, but he never sought the limelight. Years later he did win noble peace prize.
He reminds me of the late Queen Elizabeth II: a public servant above all else, never seeking to enrich himself and always maintaining modesty, even while occupying a grand office. After leaving office, Carter never pursued wealth. Instead, he used his influence with a deep sense of public duty. His approach to leadership reflected a more European style—dignified and understated, though occasionally outspoken. It feels almost poetic.
His successor, Ronald Reagan, was his complete opposite—a pattern that seems to repeat in history. The contrast is evident today with Joe Biden and Donald Trump. The latter, a criminal, represents a bad man and a bad president. Biden, much like Carter, is blamed for issues largely beyond his control. High inflation has tarnished his reputation, and his party struggles to craft a positive narrative. Biden is passing on a recovered economy, but without receiving the credit. It feels tragically poetic that Carter passed away before Trump takes office again.
Jimmy Carter lived to the remarkable age of 100, serving as the 39th President of the United States and outlasting many of his successors. Trump, set to become the 47th president, underscores Carter’s extraordinary longevity. Carter was the oldest living former president, a title that now passes to Joe Biden—who originally endorsed Carter early in his career. This full-circle moment connects the oldest president, the oldest former president, and now the oldest to take office. Both men have been heavily influenced by Christian values and beliefs.
My knowledge of Carter was rather limited until his death. I knew about his work building homes and that he was an outsider. I never saw him giving speeches or trying to make money. He was a low-key public servant even outside of office, and he earned my respect. He is one of the great post-presidencies, redefining what it means to serve after leaving office. Carter created a blueprint for others to follow. There will not be another one like him—American politics is too toxic and dysfunctional now. The age of good chaps and gentlemen is over. A former peanut farmer, Carter was a good man but a bad president—a shining light for how politicians should conduct themselves out of office.