Post # 359, Bob McKnight's Florida Commentary
Carter was a Southern gentleman but with the determination of steel. It was an honor to meet him.
In 1976, I was a member of the Florida House of Representatives in Miami. I had been re-elected without opposition, so Susan and I took the liberty of attending campaign rallies for others in my Southwest Miami district. One I wanted to attend was at the home of a Young Democrat supporter who was hosting a long-shot candidate for President, Georgia Governor Jimmy Carter. He was rapidly climbing in the national polls and whichever Democrat won the nomination, was likely to beat President Gerald Ford after his pardon of President Richard Nixon.
Unlike most famous people, President Carter was right on time and completely organized. After circulating and greeting those in attendance, President Carter gave an impressive presentation of why he was running and what he wanted to accomplish if elected. He did not sweep Susan nor I off our feet, but he did make a strong and positive impression.
Later in 1980, I was in the Florida Senate and then President Carter invited me to a White House Briefing on the Strategic Arms Limitation Agreement (SALT II). His advisor Dr. Zbigniew Brzezinski gave the briefing to about 100 American Guests. President Carter answered questions for almost an hour, all without notes. While at the White House, I had a chance to say hello to a Senior Carter Aide, former Florida Speaker and Senator Dick Pettigrew.
President Carter lost his re-election in a landslide to President Ronald Reagan. The economy had deteriorated with record gas prices and Carter could not get the hostages released from Iran. He turned to an impressive agenda with the creation of the Carter Center in Atlanta, which focused on fighting hunger, housing shortages, and corruption in foreign countries' governments. President Carter won the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize for his wonderful work with the Carter Center. He started Habitat for Humanity and built homes for the poor into his nineties. He was known universally as a world peacemaker.
President Jimmy Carter, rest in peace, your work here is done. It was a pleasure to get to meet you.
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