Nobel prize winner Jimmy Carter’s push for peace ‘set a powerful model’ for ex-presidents despite brutal political blows
JIMMY Carter set a powerful model for ex-presidents despite the political crises he faced in the White House.
The beloved leader's legacy extended far beyond his one term in the Oval Office with his sad passing at the age of 100 marking the death of one of America's kindest souls.
James Earl Carter Jr. came from humble beginnings, born and raised on a peanut farm in Plains, Georgia,
He was also the only US Naval Academy graduate to be elected to the White House before he took public office.
But it was Carter's background that was part of his appeal, according to political scientist and professor at the University of Oregon, Daniel Tichenor.
Tichenor exclusively told The U.S. Sun, “[Carter] was kind of relatively inexperienced, but that was also his enormous appeal because most Americans had lost trust in government and the presidency in particular and feeling that it had been corrupted."
Carter ran for president in 1976, just two years after Former President Richard Nixon resigned from office following the Watergate scandal.
Tichenor added that Americans also felt as if there were "a lot of deceptions surrounding the Vietnam War," which ended in 1975 after two decades of fighting.
“The national spirit was low and here was somebody who was coming in with fresh ideas who wanted to make human rights and American morality front center in our foreign policy," the expert said.
"And [Carter] also was promising unprecedented transparency and honesty as an elected official.”
Carter was "very popular at the outset," according to Tichenor.
One of the highlights of Carter's presidency was the Camp David Accords, a pair of political agreements signed in 1978 by Egypt and Israel that aimed to bring peace to the Middle East.
"Last year there were only 13 cases of Guinea worm disease in humans," he said. "He may have succeeded."
Carter and his wife have also contributed to Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit which builds houses for people in need across the world.
The former president was “somebody who was ready to roll up his sleeves and give back in a powerful way," Tichenor said.
In 2002, Carter was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, which the Chairman of the Nobel Committee believed the former president deserved as early as 1978 after the Camp David Accords.
This award has only been given to three other presidents and Carter was the only one to be handed the award after his presidency.
Tichenor believes Carter was given the award for “a long tenure as a states person who tried to resolve conflicts around the world and to be a constructive force to encourage lasting peace."
From peanut farmer to noble prize winner, Jimmy Carter committed his life to the well-being of not only the American people, but those in need around the globe.
His son Chip Carter confirmed the former leader died at his Georgia home on Sunday around 3:45 pm ET.
Carter peacefully passed away surrounded by his family who paid an emotional tribute to the former leader.
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Carter is survived by his children, Jack, James, Donnel, and Amy, as well as 22 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A state funeral is expected to be announced in the coming days.