Democratic political strategist James Carville expressed admiration for former President Carter, who passed away at the age of 100 on Sunday, highlighting the importance of his contributions during his presidency. Carter’s longevity makes him the longest-living president in U.S. history.
During an interview with CNN’s Erin Burnett, Carville remarked, “Now, I think it’s just become too convenient a thing for people to say, ‘Well, he was just an OK president, but he was a great man.’ He was actually a very good president.” He also noted his frustration that Carter’s accomplishments in office are not sufficiently recognized.
Citing Carter’s deregulation of the trucking industry, Carville explained how it allowed carriers to reduce costs, emphasizing the former president’s foreign policy achievements, such as the Camp David Peace Accords, which led to lasting peace in the Middle East.
“I know he’s a great humanitarian, but if you want to say something bad about somebody, start out and tell them that, ‘Well, he’s a great humanitarian, but he was also a doggone good president,’” said Carville, who advised former President Clinton’s campaign.
Carter is survived by his children—Jack, Chip, Jeff, and Amy—along with 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. He began receiving hospice care in February 2023, and his wife, Rosalynn Smith Carter, passed away in November 2023. During his presidency, Carter served one term and lost his reelection bid to former President Reagan.
In the years following his presidency, Carter focused on humanitarian efforts, enhancing the work of Habitat for Humanity both in the U.S. and around the world.
In recognition of his lifelong dedication to peace, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 “for his decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development.”
