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Editor’s note: This essay was first published on the author’s blog: Res ipsa loquitur – Speak for itself
America mourned Sunday the loss of one of the most truly decent men to ever sit in the Oval Office. Even to his critics, Jimmy Carter was a model of empathy and integrity as an American president. After taking office, he proved to be an even better example as he worked tirelessly to help those without homes or hope. He gave us 100 years of life dedicated to helping others and lasting lessons about what it means to be a true public servant.
Both President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump paid touching tributes to Carter.
President Biden addressed the nation Sunday night from St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. In his remarks, he noted that Carter demonstrated “what it means to live a life of meaning and purpose, of principles, of faith, of humility.”
Biden added, “Some people look at Jimmy Carter and see someone from a bygone era with integrity and character. Faith and humility were important, but I don't think that's a bygone era.'' I don't think so.'' “We could all strive to be more like Jimmy Carter.”
Jimmy Carter, 39th President of the United States, dies at age 100
“The challenges Jimmy faced as president came at a pivotal time for our country, and he did everything in his power to improve the lives of all Americans, and for that we all thank him,” President-elect Trump said. “I have an obligation,” he declared.
After speaking about Carter, Biden took questions from reporters. The media quickly seized on the testimonial comments as an opportunity to dig into President Trump, and Mr. Biden seemed eager to respond to them.
When a reporter asked Biden what President-elect Trump should draw from Carter's legacy, Biden replied:
“Courtesy, courtesy, courtesy.…Can you imagine Jimmy Carter walking past someone who needed something and just continuing to walk? Can you imagine where I’m pointing?”
It was a jarring break from a moment of unity between the two presidents.
Biden praises Jimmy Carter's civility, attacks Trump, shares fond memories with late president
It was also an interesting presidential choice for Biden to compare. There's one more thing President Carter doesn't want to do. It is about pardoning families caught up in influence-spreading scandals.
Throughout his presidency, Carter faced allegations that his brother Billy Carter took $200,000 in “loans” from the Libyan dictator and repaid only $1,000. There were also allegations that even more money was obtained from overt influence peddling from foreign sources.
Sound familiar?
Doug Shawn: Jimmy Carter provided a post-presidential model
In fact, Biden defenders falsely claimed that Carter pardoned Billy immediately after pardoning his son Hunter, trying to use him to deflect criticism from the president.
“Jimmy Carter pardoned his brother Billy Carter, who received more than $200,000 from Libya as a foreign agent,” said Grant Stern, editor of the advocacy group Occupy Democrats.George H. W. Bush pardoned his son Neil Bush for his role in the Libyan S&L scandal.” In the 1980s, no one thinks these pardons defined either of Joe Biden's presidencies. Biden won't either. ”
Neither pardon was “defining for either Presidency” because neither pardon existed.
(On ABC, “The View” co-host Ana Navarro even advocated pardons for various family members, including mentioning another president to defend Hunter Biden's pardon: “Woodrow… Wilson pardoned his brother-in-law, Hunter DeButts…but , “Tell me again how Joe granted the pardon.'' Is Biden 'setting a precedent?'' Many were quick to point out that Wilson has a brother-in-law named “Hunter DeButts.'' I told her that I hadn't, much less pardoned him.
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In fact, despite protracted questioning and investigation, Carter refused to pardon his brother. Instead, he told the American people the truth.
“I am very concerned that Billy has received funds from Libya and that he has obligations to Libya. These facts will remain with me for as long as I am president. Billy has had no influence on U.S. policy or action regarding Libya in the past, and he will have no influence in the future. ”
Unlike Carter, President Biden does not believe that (1) Hunter has had any business with the Chinese, (2) he has met his son's customers, and (3) he is aware of any of these transactions. (4) Hunter denied doing business with the Chinese and repeatedly lied to voters. Will never forgive his son. The president himself then pardoned Mr. Hunter for all crimes committed over the past decade, including potential crimes that many believe were connected to a multimillion-dollar influence-spreading scheme.
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Remarkably, reporters did not ask about this comparison with Mr. Biden, even though they wanted to dig deeper into the comparison with President Trump.
No matter how you felt about Carter's performance as president, everyone knew there were things he wouldn't do in office.
Perhaps that's why “some people look at Jimmy Carter and see him as a man of integrity and class from a bygone era.” They look at Biden himself and say, “We'd all do well to try to be more like Jimmy Carter.”
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