Here are some quick facts, opinions, quotes and other information on President Jimmy Carter:
Personal Information on Jimmy Carter:
- Thirty-ninth (1977 – 1981)
- Birthday: October 1, 1924 (Wednesday)
- Birthplace: Plains, Georgia
- Birthplace Website: President Jimmy Carter’s Birthplace
- Zodiac Sign: Libra
- Length of Retirement: 13,430+ days
- Presidential Library: Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum
Interesting Jimmy Carter facts:
- According to Wikipedia, Jimmy Carter is one of the seven Presidents listed as a farmer. In addition, Polk is listed as a plantation owner (but not as a farmer) and Teddy Roosevelt is listed as a rancher. The other six farmer Presidents were: Washington, John Adams, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, and Truman.
- The Noble Peace Prize was first awarded in 1901. Henry Dunant (for his role in founding the Red Cross) and Frédéric Passey won it that year. Since then, four US Presidents have won the Nobel Peace Prize: Teddy Roosevelt (1906), Woodrow Wilson (1919), Jimmy Carter (2002) and Barack Obama (2009). Carter is the only President not to receive the award while he was President. He received his award twenty-one years after he left office.
- Jimmy Carter was the fifth of five Presidents (Kennedy to Carter) in a row to serve in the US Navy. That is the longest consecutive streak of one branch of the military in Presidential history. George HW Bush also served in the Navy. There was a set of thirteen Presidents in a row (WH Harrison to Chester Arthur) who basically served in the Army, but six of those actually served in state militias. The longest streak of Presidents who have not served in the military at all is also five (Wilson to Franklin Roosevelt).
My favorite Jimmy Carter Quotes:
The best way to enhance freedom in other lands is to demonstrate here that our democratic system is worthy of emulation.
We should live our lives as though Christ were coming this afternoon.
Only at night can we see the stars, and the darker the night gets, the more stars we see.
I have often wanted to drown my troubles, but I can’t get my wife to go swimming.
I’ve looked on many women with lust. I’ve committed adultery in my heart many times. God knows I will do this and forgives me.
America did not invent human rights. In a very real sense human rights invented America.
Jimmy Carter blogs (click the title to go to that page):
Jimmy Carter page on Presidential Crossroads (click “Jimmy Carter” below):
Jimmy Carter
Jimmy Carter Blogs:
Joining the Naval Nuclear Submarine Program
Didn’t Forget His Campaign Workers
Son of a Peanut Farmer, Being Ex-President
Fearless Pursuit of the Presidency
What similar traits do I have with Presidents Nixon through Obama
Personal thoughts on Jimmy Carter:
Strengths:
Charisma, Christian Values, Lack of Washington Experience, Intelligent
Weaknesses:
Lack of Washington Experience, Pride, Stubborn
Presidential Greatness Scale (1-poor to 5-great): 1.2
Comments:
Today, Jimmy Carter is probably best remembered for his positive “after the Presidency” activities. No question, seeing a ninety-year-old man out there swinging a hammer for Habitat for Humanity has to soften even the most hardened heart. But the opinions here are based on Jimmy Carter as President. In my opinion, he has been the worst President in my lifetime. Just moving into the work force when he became President, those were some very tough years for me. Inflation was high, interest rates were through the roof, there was a deep recession, and an energy crisis (gas shortages) were just some of the stings of his years in office. Controversial headlines during his term included: amnesty for Vietnam War-era draft evaders, a Chrysler bailout, giving back the Panama Canal early, creation of the cabinet level Education Department, his interest in pulling our troops out of South Korea and letting them protect themselves, the Three Mile Island nuclear accident, the International boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow, and the Iran hostage crisis. In addition, being a Washington outsider, he refused to play by the “Washington rules” and this really upset Congress. Problem was, Congress was the same party as he was. Carter was pretty much thrown out of office in the Election of 1980. Carter would only win six states (Georgia – his home state, Minnesota – Vice President Walter Mondale’s home state, West Virginia, Maryland, Rhode Island and Hawaii). He would also win Washington DC. In an Electoral College rout, Ronald Reagan would defeat him 489 electoral votes to 49. Reagan would capture 50.7% of the popular vote and Jimmy Carter could only garner 41.0%. Independent John Anderson claimed 6.6% of the popular vote and many believe Anderson probably took more votes away from Reagan than he did from Carter.
Favorite Jimmy Carter book:
Why Not the Best? by Jimmy Carter
Favorite Jimmy Carter story:
When I was younger, there was a couple who taught me in Sunday School and led our youth group for awhile. They were from Plains, Georgia and at one time they attended the same church Jimmy Carter attended.
Most memorable Jimmy Carter memory:
The story of the interview he had with Admiral Rickover when he was younger and trying to get into the Navy’s nuclear program. Carter boasted of all his great accomplishments up to that point in his life. He was very proud of all he had been able to do. Rickover listened in silence as Carter described his achievements. When Carter finished, Rickover asked Carter one brief question, a question that forever changed Carter’s life. Rickover asked, “Did you do your best?” Carter, a man of honesty, even at that point in his life, had no answer for the Admiral because he knew that the answer was no. He just sat there, not giving an answer and the interview was over.
Favorite Jimmy Carter possession (see picture at the top):
Large 11″ x 14″ portraits of Jimmy Carter and Walter Mondale with Inauguration Day stamped cancellations in a nice display folder. One of the first “big” purchases I made to my stamp collection a long time ago.
