Staff Reports
A state funeral for Jimmy Carter turned into a showcase of political nostalgia as President Biden took to the microphone, extolling the virtues of a man whose presidency seemed more a cautionary tale than a shining beacon of success. All the living former presidents were in attendance, including the ever-controversial President-elect Donald Trump, who could likely teach a masterclass in stealing the spotlight, even at a funeral.
Biden waxed poetic about Carter’s ascension from humble roots to a “life of purpose.” It would seem that in Biden’s mind, Carter was some sort of folksy prophet, a “good and faithful servant of God” who had a knack for doing good works. Perhaps Biden conveniently overlooked the fact that Carter’s presidency was marred by an energy crisis, rampant inflation, and a hostage situation in Iran that sent the nation spiraling into chaos. The term “practitioner of good works” seems a bit rich considering the circumstances under which Carter left office.
In a nostalgic moment that seemed better suited for a soft-focus Hallmark movie, Biden reminisced about visiting Carter’s ranch in Plains, Georgia, where their decades-long friendship was on full display. It’s heartwarming to imagine them swapping yarns over sweet tea, but it begs the question: how did a single visit overshadow four years of economic turmoil? A little highlighting of the past doesn’t change the track record of missed opportunities and public discontent.
A notable scene from the funeral involved Trump and former President Barack Obama chatting amicably—an image that could probably produce enough eye rolls to fill an entire stadium. Meanwhile, Biden shared the front row with Kamala Harris—his own vice president who seems to be more of an afterthought nowadays—while former Vice Presidents Mike Pence and Trump officially kicked off their own awkward reunion tour. What better way to showcase unity in a politically fractured landscape than to gather the very folks who have spent years tearing each other apart?
Biden hails late President Jimmy Carter as a visionary and man of characterhttps://t.co/G7gvE04wG9 pic.twitter.com/q6qHyXONEB
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) January 9, 2025
While Biden was busy lauding Carter’s so-called foreign policy triumphs, including the enduring Camp David Accords, one might wonder why such accomplishments feel like smoke and mirrors. Carter signed legislation to deregulate the airline industry—something that Biden feels obliged to tout as monumental when anyone who’s flown recently knows that airlines might still take a few tips from car rental agencies. And let’s not forget that despite all his accolades, Carter’s presidency was still a one-term wonder, coming in a time when Americans just wanted someone who could keep the gas tank full and their bank accounts intact.
In the end, the day was about honoring a man who managed to turn minor triumphs into major talking points, while also reminding us that a good post-presidency can outshine a questionable term in office. It’s clear that Jimmy Carter’s legacy in the eyes of Biden and other politicians is more about the art of reinvention than about genuine achievements from the late ’70s. The applause may have echoed through the National Cathedral, but many in the audience raised an eyebrow, wondering if the candlelight could make up for the dark times that enveloped his presidency.
