Jimmy carter is a good man
American Presidents - like England’s Kings and Queens - reflect a specific era in history. Jimmy Carter, who turns 100 this week, was a one-term Democratic President whose loss to Ronald Reagan in 1979 ushered a new type of Republicanism and the excess of the 1980’s. On his birthday, Carter’s legacy will be discussed a lot but almost everyone will be in agreement about one thing. Jimmy Carter is a good man. The same can’t be said for many other occupants of the Oval Office.
I have known Washington Post journalist Kevin Sullivan for decades. He and his wife Mary Jordan won the Pulitzer Prize when they were based in Mexico City. They’ve always written as a team. Kevin, Mary, my husband Kim, who works at CNN, and I have shared many meals together in cities around the world. Over wine and food, I have heard Kevin’s stories about interviewing American Presidents (including Donald Trump) and I wanted to share with you all some of his insights on the country’s leaders.
Kevin holds a special place in his heart for Jimmy Carter, who he also shared a meal with at Carter’s home in Plains, Georgia. He tells me that when he was visiting he realized Carter’s home was so modest that it was worth less than the cost of the Secret Service vehicles parked outside.
If you want to hear where Kevin would go if he could time travel in American history, take a listen to the bonus episode. Each week I send my guests a Proust-like questionnaire and it’s always fun to hear what they answer.
I’m Searching for America by interviewing good Americans about good Americans and trying to understand this complicated country in a time of change without hysteria or partisanship. Please recommend this podcast to your friends and family around the world.
Join me,
Robyn
