As I See It, Jimmy Carter, up close and personal

Americans are in mourning for Jimmy Carter, one of the country’s most out of the ordinary presidents in recent years. Mr. Carter died this weekend, just two months after turning 100. He’s our first president to reach that age. Carter was one of several World War Two veterans to reach the Oval Office, and he decided to run for president while still governor of Georgia in the 70’s. He was joked about often for being a peanut farmer, and I don’t know whether Jimmy Carter could have become president in any other era. His campaign came right after Richard Nixon resigned because of Watergate, and voters seemed to be eager for someone from outside Washington, a person who didn’t fit the mold of Cold War politicians. The country had inflation, and energy problems at that time, and Carter wasn’t able to get American hostages out of Iran. They were released as soon as he left office. I got to meet Carter on his first visit to La Crosse, and he visited my dad’s workplace, 3-M, in Prairie du Chien during his term. Jimmy Carter became more admired after being president, working for peace, and building homes, and it seems he has been inspiring to many people through his examples. I’m Brad Williams, on WIZM.