Flagpoles in Portsmouth and around the country are at half-staff in honor of former first lady Rosalynn Carter, who passed away on November 19. Former President Jimmy Carter is in hospice care in his Plains, GA, home.
Mrs. Carter’s death has, for many, brought to mind her advocacy for mental health and the active role the couple played in public service long after President Carter left office in 1981.
Following their departure from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, the Carters established the Carter Center, a non-profit organization associated with Emory University. The Center’s work focused on peace, conflict resolution, health and democracy.
President Carter also taught at Emory University for three decades. He remained a vocal observer of American politics, and in 2002, he won the Nobel Prize.
Without a doubt, the Carters will be remembered for their commitment to public service and the high standards of character they demonstrated throughout their lives.
The former President and first lady showed a graciousness in politics and life that seem to be missing from much of public life today. It extended even beyond life. Before she died, Rosalynn Carter asked that all former first ladies – including Melania Trump – be invited to her celebration of life service, despite the differences between her husband and President Trump.
Of course, President Carter had to have a tough side sometimes. His post-presidential career stands in contrast to his time in the White House, when he was a respected but unpopular president.
The Iran hostage crisis and a spike in oil prices presented grave challenges, and his approval ratings dipped below 30 percent. Senator Edward Kennedy saw an opportunity, and declared he would run against Carter in the 1980 election.
Carter promised to “whip his ass.”
Carter made a campaign visit to Portsmouth in 1979, speaking at a town meeting and a reception at the high school. He was greeted by a marching band, as well as two organized protests, one by gasoline dealers and another by activists opposed to the building of the Seabrook nuclear power plant.
Meanwhile, Democrats in Nashua were organizing a statewide write-in campaign for Kennedy. At various Democratic events, Kennedy enthusiasts handed out blue and white buttons with the words “Write-in Kennedy in 80.” It could have led to Kennedy receiving the Democratic nomination.
Carter won in New Hampshire, but Kennedy took several other states in the primaries. Although he did not win the nomination, Ted Kennedy remains the last challenger who won in any state primaries against a sitting president from his own party.
Ironically, perhaps, sitting President Joe Biden will appear on the New Hampshire primary ballot as a write-in candidate.
When New Hampshire announced it would hold its primary first (as always), Biden removed his name from the ballot, in keeping with the Democratic National Committee’s decision to have the first Democratic primary take place in South Carolina. Only 8 percent of New Hampshire Democrats chose Biden in the 2016 primary.
Democratic organizers in the Granite State recently began a push to promote Biden as a write-in candidate. The effort was announced after Congressman Dean Phillips declared he would run against President Biden. Phillips will appear on the New Hampshire primary ballot.
Image courtesy: https://cdn.britannica.com/71/73671-050-0669643E/Rosalynn-Carter-1977.jpg
