WAS: What Adults are Saying about former Presidents
Jimmy Carter was a virtuous man who showed a Gold Standard of decency
As we lay to rest our 39th President we are hit smack dab in the middle with an uncomfortable truth. No former President spent his post-White House era unfurling as much goodwill and positive leadership than he—or for that matter—than all surviving Presidents combined.
This is prone to make many feel squeamish. Other Presidents must surely understand that Carter’s longevity is the least of the standards against which they will evaluated. Yes, he lived longer than any other President, and yes, he spent more post oval office time on earth than any other Commander-in-Chief. But its what he did with that time and how he did it that makes him one of the rare, if not sole “Mount Rushmore” figures of Presidential good after Washington.
Few American leaders from any stripe-of-life who were “former” anything approach his standard. Perhaps Bill Gates was to be one—he is mostly former and has used tons of his money for good—but a recent, messy divorce and questions about past pals dog him. Warren Buffett is the poster-child of fabulous, self-made wealth. He has widely discussed what good will become of his riches when he ceases breathing, but for now, continues to be the Oracle of Omaha. Even the remarkable Steven Van Zandt, who has led some amazing charitable efforts to both preserve and avail new generations to the history of rock-and-roll, can’t compare. That’s because in his 70s he’s working harder then in his 20s when with Springsteen made historic records while wrapped in holey jeans and cheap plaid shirts. These are just a few examples suggesting within the cultural or political elite, Carter would seem to have no peer.
The rest of America’s millions hold thousands of folks who perhaps have done as much good as Carter without the bully pulpit and following media. That’s good. That’s the type ethos that once predominated in a flourishing America. It was seldom called out in any special fashion because it was so widely presumed as a bell weather of daily life. Then just like credit troubles—gradually at first then at the end, quickly—it foretold a collapse. Virtue became too passe’ and messy—interfering with new technologies and their commerce. Nonetheless many continue to press on in a shared, Jimmy Carter-like credo where doing good is paramount to doing vanity, selfishness, self-service, unfair profiteering, exploitation of others, self-promotion, Tik-Tok preening, dehumanizing others, being a social media influencer and idolizing the famous or wealthy.
Carter’s modus operandi of life (in and out of politics) was of course deeply tied to his faith. He and wife Rosalyn lived it and its values…uhum…religiously for their entire adult lives. As a devout Christian he was seldom hesitant to invoke its principles or the teachings of Jesus Christ. But with a couple of exceptions, he was never preachy nor converting. He simply led by example with an endlessly affectionate, grandfatherly vibe all the while withholding judgment and offering tangible good.
None of this was staged nor accidental. In the most classical sense of the phrase, Jimmy Carter may have been our last virtuous President. His life and how it manifested itself in public service was meant for a purpose higher than simply his own benefit. In ways both tangible and not, the virtuous person is committed to values that stress doing well for the common good over personal enrichment. Such philosophy was common in a number of religions but starting in the 19th century a new, secular branch of thought emerged adopting these same ideas. Tons of parochial school kids from the 60s and 70s can attest to various Catholic sub-”orders” plying them with endless lessons wrapped around the concept. Regardless of status or wealth, to pursue a virtuous life was righteous—something Carter did as naturally as smiling broadly or cultivating peanuts.
What other post-war President can we possible place on a step even close to him in this regard? Truman was the Peter Principle in action and dropped the bomb. The military hero Ike was perfectly made for the 1950s, but was of and about war and enemies (his administration led the last widespread deportation of recent immigrants). Only late in his term did he seek virtue by warning about the danger of the “military industrial complex” all the while plotting the Bay of Pigs dumped upon his successor. Kennedy with his intelligence and charisma might have had a shot until murdered—and if lived—would had to have adapted to a new press that no longer would be broadly complicit in his peccadilloes.
Johnson too, in his pursuit of The Great Society, flashed chops of virtue but was such an ogre at retail and backroom politics he presented two faces that could never be squared. Nixon was a very complicated and troubled man and desired to do much good for others but was too addicted to McCarthyism politics. Ford was simply a connecting flight. Reagan was the anti-Christ to virtue and an act, and no virtue can be had without being real.
Old man Bush tried to be kinder and gentler but came from a background of national intelligence—a place where virtue is more likely a hindrance. Ironically, Clinton was well-poised to be a man of virtue. But he seriously compromised some virtuous Democratic Party principles in the name of political expediency and his desire for the flesh was unseemly even by non-Victorian standards. Until the 45th President, young Bush was the only President to never graduate beyond an eight-pack of Crayolas all the while his co-President created war. Obama too, was poised for virtue but his initial eight years post-office, have been focused more on building his brand—the antithesis of anything Carter-like. Biden seems to have the heart for it but might be getting whipped by Father Time. Finally President 45 and 47 couldn’t even spell virtue if you spotted him the ‘Vir” and the “chew.” So then, where is Carter’s peer?
That’s not to say he was bigger than life nor escaped the mortal fate when feet sometimes become clay. He was a politician after all, and that precludes a life in pursuit of pure altruism regardless of values or sincerity of intent. But within his all too human flaws, Jimmy Carter was as authentic as they get. He was as giving as they get. He was as humane as they get. Finally, he was solidly comfortable in his own skin, belief and values and lived then in a way that benefited many. His goodness will be missed.