His Very Best

1. Formative Years Forged a Unique Leader

Seven decades later, he was still mulling over Rickover’s question and its enduring meaning for him: “I’ve never been able to answer that question—why hadn’t I always done my best?”

Rural Roots and Strict Upbringing. Jimmy Carter's early life in Archery, Georgia, shaped his character profoundly. Growing up without electricity or running water until age eleven, he learned self-reliance and a strong work ethic on his father's peanut farm, where he was expected to contribute from a young age. His father, Earl Carter, was a demanding figure who instilled in him a relentless drive for perfection and a deep sense of accountability, often leaving young Jimmy yearning for praise.

Naval Discipline and Intellectual Growth. His eleven years in the Navy, particularly his time in the nuclear submarine program under Admiral Hyman Rickover, were pivotal. Rickover, a demanding and brilliant engineer, challenged Carter to always do his best, a question that resonated with him for life and became a personal motto. This period honed Carter's meticulous attention to detail, engineering mindset, and intellectual curiosity, while also exposing him to integrated environments that subtly challenged his Southern upbringing.

Early Influences on Character. Beyond his father and Rickover, several figures shaped Carter's moral compass. Rachel Clark, a black farmhand, instilled in him spiritual values and a connection to the natural world, while his teacher, Miss Julia Coleman, fostered his love for learning and the principle of "adjusting to changing times while holding to unchanging principles." These diverse influences, combined with his innate stubbornness and self-contained nature, laid the groundwork for a leader who would later prioritize integrity and tackle complex problems with unwavering determination.

2. Moral Evolution on Race Defined His Path

“I never claimed to have been courageous during the civil rights movement,” Carter said of the momentous events that unfolded before his eyes in the 1950s and 1960s. “I wasn’t.”

Silence Amidst Segregation. Despite his early exposure to integrated environments in the Navy and his personal belief in racial equality, Carter largely remained silent during the height of the Civil Rights Movement in Georgia. He acknowledged this period as a "secret shame" for white southerners, admitting that he prioritized his business and political ambitions over public advocacy for racial justice. This pragmatic silence, however, would later fuel his intense commitment to human rights and reconciliation.

Small Gestures and Growing Discomfort. While publicly cautious, Carter made subtle gestures against overt racism. He refused to join the White Citizens' Council, a decision that cost him customers, and he quietly challenged racial norms in his community, such as allowing a black woman to go first in line at his warehouse. His discomfort with the prevailing racial attitudes in Plains grew, particularly after his church voted to ban black visitors, a decision he openly opposed, albeit unsuccessfully.

Redemption Through Action. Carter's later actions as governor and president, and especially in his post-presidency, were deeply influenced by his past inaction. He saw his efforts to promote racial justice and human rights as a form of atonement, a way to live out the moral imperatives he had once suppressed. This journey from silence to action on race became a powerful, if complex, narrative that underscored his commitment to justice and reconciliation on a global scale.

3. The Outsider's Rise to the Presidency

“I’m Jimmy Carter, and I’m running for president.”

From Obscurity to National Contender. Carter's path to the presidency was a masterclass in outsider politics, leveraging his lack of Washington experience as an asset in a post-Watergate era hungry for integrity. His 1970 gubernatorial campaign, though employing "dog whistles" to appeal to conservative white voters, established his image as a populist reformer. This led to a Time magazine cover story in 1971, "Dixie Whistles a Different Tune," which introduced him to a national audience.

Meticulous Planning and Grassroots Strategy. His 1976 presidential campaign was meticulously planned, treating politics as an engineering project. Key elements included:

• Early Focus: Concentrating on early primary states like Iowa and New Hampshire long before other candidates.
• "Peanut Brigade": Mobilizing dedicated volunteers to canvass extensively, creating a powerful grassroots network.
• Personal Touch: Carter's ability to connect with voters one-on-one, remembering names and details, was a significant asset.

A Message of Trust and Decency. Carter's campaign resonated by promising honesty and a government "as good, and honest, and decent, and truthful, and fair, and competent, and compassionate, and as filled with love as are the American people." This message, combined with his "born-again" Christian identity, appealed to a broad spectrum of voters disillusioned with political scandal. Despite initial skepticism from the media and establishment, his disciplined approach and unique appeal propelled him from a virtual unknown to the Democratic nominee.

4. A Presidency of Unseen Domestic Transformation

“I handled the Cabinet changes very poorly.”

Ambitious Reform Agenda. Carter entered the White House with a comprehensive domestic agenda, aiming to tackle long-standing issues with an engineer's precision. He sought to professionalize government, promote efficiency, and address critical social and economic challenges. His efforts included:

• Civil Service Reform: The 1978 Civil Service Reform Act, the first major overhaul in a century, aimed to improve federal workforce efficiency and accountability.
• Ethics in Government: The 1978 Ethics in Government Act and Inspector General Act introduced new transparency, whistleblower protections, and independent oversight, directly responding to Watergate-era corruption.
• Urban Policy: The Community Reinvestment Act (1977) combated "redlining" and stimulated investment in low-income neighborhoods, laying groundwork for future urban revitalization.

Environmental Leadership. Carter's presidency marked a pivotal moment for environmental protection, driven by his deep personal commitment. He doubled the size of the national park system and preserved vast wilderness areas, most notably through the Alaska Lands bill, which protected 104 million acres. He also championed clean air and water legislation, banned harmful chemicals, and established the Superfund to clean up toxic waste sites, setting precedents for future environmental policy.

Challenges and Missteps. Despite significant legislative achievements, Carter's domestic policy was often overshadowed by political missteps and a perception of ineffectiveness. His "Cabinet purge" in 1979, intended to project vigor, instead created an image of disarray. His disdain for traditional political horse-trading alienated Congress, and his efforts at tax and welfare reform, though planting seeds for future policies like the Earned Income Tax Credit, largely failed to pass in their ambitious forms.

5. Diplomacy as a Moral Imperative

“Human rights is the central concern of my administration.”

Reorienting Foreign Policy. Carter fundamentally reshaped American foreign policy by placing human rights at its core, a stark departure from the realpolitik of his predecessors. He believed that American values should guide its international relations, rejecting the notion that supporting dictators was necessary to fight communism. This policy aimed to restore America's moral standing after Vietnam and Watergate, and it resonated globally with dissidents and emerging democracies.

Challenging Authoritarian Regimes. His administration actively pressured both communist and authoritarian allies to improve their human rights records. This included:

• Soviet Dissidents: Directly engaging with figures like Andrei Sakharov, despite Soviet protests, and increasing support for opposition groups in the Eastern bloc.
• Latin American Dictatorships: Conditioning military and economic aid on human rights improvements, contributing to a wave of democratization in the region.
• African Transitions: Supporting transitions from apartheid in Rhodesia and South Africa, and engaging with newly independent nations with respect.

Institutionalizing Human Rights. Carter institutionalized human rights within the State Department, creating a new bureau to issue "country reports" that publicly documented abuses. While the policy faced criticism for its inconsistencies and for sometimes clashing with strategic interests, it permanently embedded human rights into the global diplomatic discourse and inspired a new generation of international activism.

6. The Triumph and Torment of Middle East Peace

“The Camp David conference should be renamed,” Begin said, as Carter beamed beside him. “It was the Jimmy Carter conference. The president took a great risk for himself and did it with great civil courage.”

A Risky Personal Endeavor. Carter's most celebrated foreign policy achievement was brokering the Camp David Accords between Israel and Egypt, a feat he pursued with intense personal commitment despite widespread skepticism. He defied advisers who urged caution, believing that direct, sustained engagement was the only path to peace between two nations that had been at war for decades. His deep religious faith and interest in the Holy Land fueled this audacious diplomatic gamble.

Thirteen Days of Intense Negotiation. The Camp David summit in September 1978 was a grueling, thirteen-day ordeal marked by deep distrust and repeated threats of collapse from both Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin. Carter's unique approach involved:

• Isolation and Secrecy: Banning media and isolating the delegations to foster an environment of intense, private negotiation.
• Personal Diplomacy: Engaging in countless one-on-one meetings, often for hours, to build trust and break stalemates.
• Resourcefulness: Employing the "Single Text" technique to narrow disagreements and personally drafting key sections of the agreements.

A Durable Peace, an Unfinished Dream. The Accords resulted in two agreements: a specific peace treaty between Israel and Egypt, leading to Egypt's recognition of Israel and Israel's withdrawal from the Sinai Peninsula, and a broader framework for Palestinian autonomy in the West Bank and Gaza. While the Israel-Egypt peace proved remarkably durable, Carter's dream of a comprehensive regional settlement and a Palestinian homeland remained unfulfilled, a source of lifelong regret.

7. Global Crises Tested His Leadership

“It’s almost impossible to deal with a crazy man,” Carter wrote in his diary that night.

The Iranian Revolution's Fallout. The Iranian Revolution, which culminated in the fall of the Shah in early 1979, became Carter's greatest foreign policy challenge and a defining event of his presidency. The administration's response was hampered by:

• Intelligence Failures: A profound lack of understanding of the depth of anti-American sentiment and the Ayatollah Khomeini's intentions.
• Internal Divisions: Disagreements between his hawkish National Security Advisor, Zbigniew Brzezinski, and dovish Secretary of State, Cyrus Vance, on how to handle the crisis.
• Shah's Health: The fateful decision to admit the ailing Shah to the U.S. for medical treatment, despite warnings of severe repercussions.

The Hostage Crisis and Its Toll. The seizure of 52 American hostages at the U.S. embassy in Tehran in November 1979 became a 444-day national ordeal that captivated America and crippled Carter's presidency. His commitment to the hostages' safety led him to:

• Patient Diplomacy: Prioritizing negotiation and international condemnation over military action, which he feared would endanger the hostages.
• "Rose Garden Strategy": Remaining in the White House to focus on the crisis, which, while initially boosting his approval, ultimately made him appear impotent.
• Failed Rescue Mission: The disastrous "Operation Eagle Claw" in April 1980, which resulted in the deaths of eight servicemen and further cemented a perception of presidential ineffectiveness.

Reheating the Cold War. The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in December 1979 further complicated Carter's final year, leading him to adopt a more hawkish stance. He responded with:

• The Carter Doctrine: Declaring the Persian Gulf a vital U.S. interest, to be defended by military force if necessary.
• Grain Embargo: Imposing an embargo on grain sales to the Soviet Union, a move that hurt American farmers more than the Soviets.
• Olympic Boycott: Leading a boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow, a highly visible but unpopular decision among American athletes. These crises, combined with rampant inflation and a challenge from Ted Kennedy, created a sense of national "malaise" that ultimately cost him reelection.

8. A Post-Presidency Redefining Service

“I would not trade the Carter Center for a second term.”

A New Standard for Former Presidents. After his "involuntary retirement," Carter embarked on an unprecedented post-presidency, transforming the role of former chief executives. Rejecting lucrative corporate opportunities, he dedicated himself to global humanitarian work, often stating that these were "the best years of my life." This commitment set a new benchmark for his successors, who now face the "Carter standard" for post-White House engagement.

The Carter Center's Global Impact. Founded in 1982, the Carter Center became a "small Camp David," focusing on:

• Global Health: Spearheading the eradication of Guinea worm disease, reducing river blindness, and combating other infectious diseases in Africa and beyond, saving millions of lives.
• Democracy Promotion: Monitoring over 100 elections worldwide, often in dangerous regions, to ensure fairness and transparency, and advocating for democratic accountability.
• Conflict Resolution: Engaging in tireless, often controversial, diplomacy with dictators and warring factions to mediate peace, free political prisoners, and prevent violence.

Personal Growth and Continued Learning. Carter's post-presidency was also a period of intense personal and intellectual development. He became a prolific author, writing over 30 books, and a painter, creating more than a hundred works. He embraced new hobbies like fly-fishing and mountain climbing, and continued his lifelong pursuit of learning, often teaching Sunday school lessons that blended his diplomatic experiences with his deep Christian faith.

9. An Enduring Legacy of Integrity and Foresight

“We need a government as good as its people, and we are better than this.”

A Moral Compass for the Nation. Despite the political challenges and criticisms he faced, Carter's core decency and unwavering commitment to moral principles left an indelible mark on American public life. He consistently prioritized integrity, truthfulness, and human dignity, often at personal political cost. His farewell address, emphasizing "unchanging values" and "the inner strength of our country," resonated with a timeless message of national purpose.

Prescient Vision for Future Challenges. Carter's foresight on critical global issues, often dismissed or ignored in his time, proved remarkably prescient. His early warnings about climate change, his push for renewable energy, and his efforts to curb nuclear proliferation laid groundwork for future policy debates. He also championed judicial diversity and government ethics, creating institutional changes that continue to shape American governance.

A Life of Ceaseless Effort. In his later years, Carter's life became a testament to ceaseless effort and selfless service, earning him global admiration and a reevaluation of his presidency. He challenged his successors and the public to live up to America's ideals, reminding them that "silence can be as deadly as violence." His journey from a barefoot farm boy to a global humanitarian, marked by both triumphs and tribulations, ultimately solidified his place as a unique and profoundly impactful figure in American history.

Last updated: January 10, 2026