An Honorable Politician

The title “An Honorable Politician” may sound like an oxymoron to some people. Politicians have generally not fared very well when it comes to honesty, integrity and truth-telling. President Harry Truman once quipped, “My choice early in life was either to be a piano player in a whorehouse or a politician. To tell you the truth, there’s hardly a difference.” Unfortunately, Truman’s witty comment has been painfully true in the history of American politics.

Of course there are exceptions to Truman’s cynical view of politicians. George Washington, for instance, was an unquestionably honorable man who turned down a third term for president when it was offered to him. King George III, knowing the intoxicating effects of power, was surprised by Washington’s willingness to step away from the presidency and become an ordinary citizen, but such was the character of America’s first president.

Another politician of unquestioned integrity is Jimmy Carter. Regardless of what one may think about his politics, his character is unimpeachable.

President Carter became our nation’s president in 1977 when America was in turmoil. The Watergate scandal was still fresh in our nation’s psyche, eroding people’s trust in government. Oil prices were soaring due to American’s dependence on Middle Eastern oil, triggering President Nixon to sign a national speed limit law. The assassinations of President Kennedy, Bobby Kennedy, and Martin Luther King Jr. in the 60s had further destabilized American society. And the tragedy of the Vietnam War had undermined America’s sense of invincibility and moral high ground. When Carter took his oath of office, he was facing fierce headwinds.

One of the first things that stood out to me as I listened to his inaugural address was his humility and love of country. He did not use his bully pulpit, with the entire country listening and watching, to fan the flames of political partisanship. How easy it would have been for Carter to condemn former President Nixon and the corruption that had taken place during his tenure. Nobly, Carter did not choose that path.

He began his speech by thanking President Ford, whom he had defeated, “for all he had done to heal our land.” He then read Micah 6:8 from the Bible that George Washington used in his inaugurations: “He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God.” Whatever else Jimmy Carter did or failed to do during his presidency, he certainly lived up to the prophetic words of Micah. No one ever questioned President Carter’s honesty, his concern and care for people, and his deep devotion and humility when it came to matters of faith.

A Southern Baptist, President Carter made many southerners uncomfortable with his emphasis on racial equality. He knew that racism continued to stain our national character and worked tirelessly to bring understanding and respect between racial groups. Later, when his presidency ended, Carter left his church because it refused to accept Black people as members and started a church where everyone was accepted, regardless of the color of their skin.

Kai Bird, who spent considerable time with the former president and researched his life, writes that Carter often ignored what was politically advantageous, even if it cost him popularity among his constituency, in order to do the right thing. He appointed more African Americans, Hispanics, and women to the federal bench than anyone before him. He tripled the size of the nation’s protected wilderness areas, creating a backlash from those who wanted to exploit America’s natural resources. He warned about climate change and emphasized the need for America to become energy independent. He advocated human rights, not just in our country but around the world. His negotiating skills were put on full display when he brought together the nations of Israel and Egypt, countries that had been at each other’s throat for millennia. The signing of the Camp David Peace Accord, one of the great achievements of his presidency, continues to stabilize the region.

A speech he made in 1979, that his opponents called the “Malaise Speech,” was prophetic. Carter saw deep into the heart of our nation and recognized that our country had lost its way. Among his many insightful comments, he said, “Too many of us now tend to worship self-indulgence and consumption.” He noted that Americans had lost their sense of community and selflessness. As true as his words were then, they are exponentially truer today. Corporate greed and a national narcissism are threatening to unravel the American way of life.

President Carter’s “Malaise Speech” - 1979

He probably is most remembered and criticized for his handling of the Iranian hostage crisis, the result of giving the deposed shah asylum in our country. For months President Carter refused to give the shah sanctuary, knowing that it would inflame the volatile Iranian regime. When Carter at last allowed the shah to enter our country for medical reasons, at the urgent request of his Cabinet, the Iranians overran the embassy in Tehran and took 66 American hostages.  

The hostages were not released until the day President Ronald Reagan took office in January 1981. What many people fail to remember is that President Carter and his team negotiated the release of the hostages earlier in the year, but for reasons that are still unclear, the hostages were not released until after President Carter left office.

After his presidency, the former president and Rosalynn created the Carter Center, an organization designed to resolve global conflicts, advance public health care in Third World countries and monitor elections around the world. He also worked personally with Habitat for Humanity, building and restoring houses for the economically disadvantaged. His biographer writes that above all else, President Carter “was a problem solver.” His fervent desire was to help people live a better life, materially and spiritually. 

In spite of his travel and unending work to make lives better, not only in our country but across the world, he could usually be found on Sunday morning at the Plains Baptist Church teaching his Sunday School class. His lessons were simple, practical, and sprinkled with anecdotes of his growing up years in Georgia. The people who came from far and wide were mesmerized by the former president, who even took time to shake hands with the visitors.

Around ten years ago some friends of ours went to visit the Plains Baptist Church and hear President Carter teach one of his lessons. They were struck by how down-to-earth the famous former president was. There wasn’t even a hint of arrogance or condescension. With open Bible he shared from his heart his faith in Jesus, his failures, his weaknesses and his desire to continue to improve as a human being.

As I write these words, the former president is nearing the end of his journey on earth. He lived life well, and our nation and world are better because he walked among us. We honor his service to our country while in the Navy, we respect his honesty as a businessman and governor of Georgia, for serving with distinction in the highest office of the land, and for living his life as a follower of Jesus. Soon he will undoubtedly hear the words, “Well done thy good and faithful servant.”

I wonder if Harry Truman ever met our 39th president. If he had, I think he would have made an exception for Jimmy Carter!