I often regret not voting for Jimmy Carter in 1980 after voting for him in in 1976. I guess I was caught in the political malaise and voted for a third-party candidate, a liberal Republican congressman from Rockford.
I have read about the accomplishments of Jimmy Carter, both as President and then as an amazing citizen who used the tool of being an ex-president to do great good (earning him the Nobel Peace Prize). He was the natural successor to another great former President, Jerry Ford. The two of them returned honesty, humility, and decency to the American presidency.
The two of them fought a brutal battle for the presidency, leaving Ford resentful over his loss, but Jimmy Carter could see how wonderful a friend Ford would be and kept reaching out in a humble and self-effacing way until they became close friends. These two great presidents were political moderates with a great respect for the office, who were more similar than different.
If we read newspapers and watch TV news, we hear the truly full and amazing life of Jimmy Carter, a life that most of us are only now learning about. Carter showed us true friendship and greatness, as he eulogized the life accomplishments of his good friend Jerry Ford at Ford’s funeral. At Carter’s state funeral Jerry Ford’s son re-read Carter’s eulogy for Ford from his state funeral to ensure that we never forget the greatness of his friend.
Jimmy Carter was a Navy officer of the highest sense of honor — he never let anyone be left behind.
Frank Vozak
Oak Park