Biden, shortly before departing the presidency, fondly recalls another president who served a single term
The parallels between the two presidencies were difficult to miss as Joe Biden paid tribute to his dear friend Jimmy Carter.
TroibNews 
As President Joe Biden listened to the eulogies for former President Jimmy Carter on Thursday, echoes of his own experiences may have resonated with him. Both leaders were elected to the presidency with mandates to address scandals and restore stability in Washington, only to be sidelined by voters after one term due to unfavorable popularity ratings.
Biden has grown increasingly reflective and concerned about how his legacy will develop over time. He has made efforts to argue that Carter deserves more recognition, implicitly suggesting that history may eventually mend his reputation, similar to how it has for Carter. The deep connection Biden has with Carter, stemming from their decades-long friendship, was evident during his remarks at the Washington National Cathedral. He reflected on his early support for Carter’s outsider campaign, shared memories from their last visit in 2021, and articulated the valuable lessons learned from their longstanding relationship.
“We have an obligation to give hate no safe harbor. And to stand up to what my dad used to say is the greatest sin of all, the abuse of power. That’s not about being perfect, because none of us are perfect. We’re all fallible. But it’s about asking ourselves, are we striving to do things — the right things? What are the values that animate our spirit? Do we operate from fear or hope? Ego or generosity? Do we show grace? Do we keep the faith when it’s most tested?” Biden expressed.
“Keeping the faith with the best of humankind and the best of America is the story, in my view, from my perspective, of Jimmy Carter’s life,” he continued.
Over the past four years, Republicans have depicted Biden as a contemporary version of Carter, drawing parallels between their presidencies. They note how Carter left the White House in 1981 feeling isolated, as many in his own party viewed him as a failure marked by the Iran hostage crisis and soaring inflation. Biden now finds himself preparing to exit Washington, facing challenges reminiscent of those Carter faced, including high inflation, foreign policy challenges, and a struggle to convey his legislative achievements to disillusioned voters.
However, Biden’s presidency has encountered distinct political hurdles that Carter did not face, nor did they affect Carter’s legacy over the decades post-presidency. Biden is poised to exit the political arena on January 20 as the oldest president in history, following significant scrutiny regarding his age and capacity for a second term. At 82, he has limited time left to shape his legacy in contrast to Carter's decades after leaving office, during which Carter engaged in humanitarian efforts, formed the Carter Center to promote human rights, received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002, and taught Sunday school in his hometown.
In the aftermath of Donald Trump’s victory over Kamala Harris, some Democrats have expressed blame towards Biden for the party's decline. They criticize him for seeking reelection and then stepping down hesitantly, resulting in a nominee unable to shed the negative perceptions associated with Biden’s presidency. Moreover, unlike Carter, who at least marked a shift away from Nixon’s scandal, Biden struggled with his vow to combat Trumpism.
While seeking to honor Carter's legacy on Thursday, Biden acknowledged he has limited influence over how history will appraise these years, taking this final chance to convey his respect for the late president.
“He showed us how character and faith start with ourselves and then flow to others. At our best, we share the better parts of ourselves: Joy, solidarity, love, commitment. Not for reward, but in reverence for an incredible gift of life we’ve all been granted,” Biden remarked. “To make every minute of our time here on Earth count. That’s the definition of a good life, the life Jimmy Carter lived during his 100 years.”
Biden's connection to Carter is rooted in a long-standing friendship and political camaraderie, as the two share moderate ideologies and backgrounds as political underdogs. Biden has admired Carter, navigating his own political challenges with a less guarded approach than some of his Democratic counterparts.
“Nixon had his enemies list, and President Carter has his friends list,” Biden quipped in September 1977. “I guess I’m on his friends list, and I don’t know which is worse.”
Biden takes pride in being the first senator to endorse Carter’s presidential campaign in 1976, according to a former senior administration official. Their rapport developed during Carter's presidency, as described by Frank Moore, Carter’s congressional relations assistant.
While in the Senate, Biden consistently sought meetings with the president, finding it easy to secure time. He would often meet with Carter without a specific agenda, updating him on Senate happenings. Moore, who usually accompanied lawmakers during their visits, felt at ease allowing Biden and Carter to converse alone.
“They didn’t need me,” Moore commented.
Though their meetings were not always amicable, as demonstrated when Biden opposed court-ordered busing in Wilmington and proposed legislation to curb judicial authority regarding busing in public schools. While Carter had opposed busing during his governorship, he told Biden he found his bill unconstitutional.
By 1979, it became evident that Carter faced the threat of losing to Ronald Reagan. As Biden weighed supporting Carter or Democratic Sen. Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts—who challenged the incumbent in the primaries—he ultimately chose to back Carter, providing intel about Kennedy’s campaign and key Senate figures.
“Biden was always very, very loyal,” Moore recalled. “When you were counting votes, and times were tough and you didn’t know who you could count on — you could always count on him.”
The Carters missed Biden's inauguration in 2021, marking the first absence since leaving office. They observed the event from their home in Plains, Georgia, where a friend brought a bottle of champagne for a toast.
In April, on his 100th day in office, Biden and First Lady Jill Biden visited the Carters to bid farewell as Carter's health declined. As they traveled through downtown Plains, past the “Plains, Georgia — Home of Jimmy Carter our 39th President” banner, the president reminisced about “the good old days.” He shared a kiss with Carter upon leaving, at which point Carter requested him to deliver the eulogy.
However, it was difficult to envision the scene at the National Cathedral on Thursday, as the president delivered his eulogy while Trump sat in the pews, just days before the Republican reclaimed power—a notable contrast marking the conclusion of Biden’s one-term presidency.
Sophie Wagner contributed to this report for TROIB News
Biden has grown increasingly reflective and concerned about how his legacy will develop over time. He has made efforts to argue that Carter deserves more recognition, implicitly suggesting that history may eventually mend his reputation, similar to how it has for Carter. The deep connection Biden has with Carter, stemming from their decades-long friendship, was evident during his remarks at the Washington National Cathedral. He reflected on his early support for Carter’s outsider campaign, shared memories from their last visit in 2021, and articulated the valuable lessons learned from their longstanding relationship.
“We have an obligation to give hate no safe harbor. And to stand up to what my dad used to say is the greatest sin of all, the abuse of power. That’s not about being perfect, because none of us are perfect. We’re all fallible. But it’s about asking ourselves, are we striving to do things — the right things? What are the values that animate our spirit? Do we operate from fear or hope? Ego or generosity? Do we show grace? Do we keep the faith when it’s most tested?” Biden expressed.
“Keeping the faith with the best of humankind and the best of America is the story, in my view, from my perspective, of Jimmy Carter’s life,” he continued.
Over the past four years, Republicans have depicted Biden as a contemporary version of Carter, drawing parallels between their presidencies. They note how Carter left the White House in 1981 feeling isolated, as many in his own party viewed him as a failure marked by the Iran hostage crisis and soaring inflation. Biden now finds himself preparing to exit Washington, facing challenges reminiscent of those Carter faced, including high inflation, foreign policy challenges, and a struggle to convey his legislative achievements to disillusioned voters.
However, Biden’s presidency has encountered distinct political hurdles that Carter did not face, nor did they affect Carter’s legacy over the decades post-presidency. Biden is poised to exit the political arena on January 20 as the oldest president in history, following significant scrutiny regarding his age and capacity for a second term. At 82, he has limited time left to shape his legacy in contrast to Carter's decades after leaving office, during which Carter engaged in humanitarian efforts, formed the Carter Center to promote human rights, received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002, and taught Sunday school in his hometown.
In the aftermath of Donald Trump’s victory over Kamala Harris, some Democrats have expressed blame towards Biden for the party's decline. They criticize him for seeking reelection and then stepping down hesitantly, resulting in a nominee unable to shed the negative perceptions associated with Biden’s presidency. Moreover, unlike Carter, who at least marked a shift away from Nixon’s scandal, Biden struggled with his vow to combat Trumpism.
While seeking to honor Carter's legacy on Thursday, Biden acknowledged he has limited influence over how history will appraise these years, taking this final chance to convey his respect for the late president.
“He showed us how character and faith start with ourselves and then flow to others. At our best, we share the better parts of ourselves: Joy, solidarity, love, commitment. Not for reward, but in reverence for an incredible gift of life we’ve all been granted,” Biden remarked. “To make every minute of our time here on Earth count. That’s the definition of a good life, the life Jimmy Carter lived during his 100 years.”
Biden's connection to Carter is rooted in a long-standing friendship and political camaraderie, as the two share moderate ideologies and backgrounds as political underdogs. Biden has admired Carter, navigating his own political challenges with a less guarded approach than some of his Democratic counterparts.
“Nixon had his enemies list, and President Carter has his friends list,” Biden quipped in September 1977. “I guess I’m on his friends list, and I don’t know which is worse.”
Biden takes pride in being the first senator to endorse Carter’s presidential campaign in 1976, according to a former senior administration official. Their rapport developed during Carter's presidency, as described by Frank Moore, Carter’s congressional relations assistant.
While in the Senate, Biden consistently sought meetings with the president, finding it easy to secure time. He would often meet with Carter without a specific agenda, updating him on Senate happenings. Moore, who usually accompanied lawmakers during their visits, felt at ease allowing Biden and Carter to converse alone.
“They didn’t need me,” Moore commented.
Though their meetings were not always amicable, as demonstrated when Biden opposed court-ordered busing in Wilmington and proposed legislation to curb judicial authority regarding busing in public schools. While Carter had opposed busing during his governorship, he told Biden he found his bill unconstitutional.
By 1979, it became evident that Carter faced the threat of losing to Ronald Reagan. As Biden weighed supporting Carter or Democratic Sen. Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts—who challenged the incumbent in the primaries—he ultimately chose to back Carter, providing intel about Kennedy’s campaign and key Senate figures.
“Biden was always very, very loyal,” Moore recalled. “When you were counting votes, and times were tough and you didn’t know who you could count on — you could always count on him.”
The Carters missed Biden's inauguration in 2021, marking the first absence since leaving office. They observed the event from their home in Plains, Georgia, where a friend brought a bottle of champagne for a toast.
In April, on his 100th day in office, Biden and First Lady Jill Biden visited the Carters to bid farewell as Carter's health declined. As they traveled through downtown Plains, past the “Plains, Georgia — Home of Jimmy Carter our 39th President” banner, the president reminisced about “the good old days.” He shared a kiss with Carter upon leaving, at which point Carter requested him to deliver the eulogy.
However, it was difficult to envision the scene at the National Cathedral on Thursday, as the president delivered his eulogy while Trump sat in the pews, just days before the Republican reclaimed power—a notable contrast marking the conclusion of Biden’s one-term presidency.
Sophie Wagner contributed to this report for TROIB News
