Such a lovely tribute, and thank you for the link to Rosalynn's engagement at the JFK Library. Her work changed perceptions of mental illness, profoundly.
A day ago, I listened to your interview with Bianna Golodryga on the "Amanour" podcast. She cited the cliche that "The woman makes the man," while also stating that Jimmy Carter, likely, would never have accomplished what he did in life without her.
I disagree, it was more than that.
They had a marriage. The marriage made the man, the marriage made the woman, and that deep partnership created something better. And I really believe that Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter made our nation better.
I've long thought that Jimmy Carter was America's greatest post-president. The last one who used the legacy of the office to do further good works when he had left the White House, rather than something to help him secure a great additional new source of income and wealth, as virtually all subsequent presidents have done.
What I hadn't appreciated until reading more on his extraordinary relationship with Rosalynn was that he may have had one of the greatest marriages ever. I'm sure today is a very painful day for the former president, and I hope his faith keeps him strong in the belief that he will be rejoined with his wonderful wife soon. God bless them both.
Yes, the simple fact that they had nearly 80 years together, and most of those years with both of them in active and engaged condition, is remarkable enough. But what they did with that time, and kept doing absolutely as long as they could, is even more impressive and admirable.
Edith Galt Wilson was the first First Lady to serve as ‘acting’ president.
Eleanor Roosevelt was the most exceptional First Lady, who traveled the country and world to do good things. Her newspaper column MyDay highlighted the range of her good works, as she was FDR’s ‘social conscience.’
I applaud Rosalind Carter for her openness on mental health and Betty Ford on alcoholism.
For me Ms. Carter was an extraordinary First Lady, during Carter’s presidency and subsequently, for her genuine involvement in diverse humanitarian endeavors. Often she did this with muted publicity since she was not seeking personal applause.
Yes, Edith Wilson is in a category of her own. I don't know the historical assessments of the second Wilson term well enough to know what people now make of Edith Wilson's steward ship. (And Col. House.)
And Eleanor Roosevelt in yet another category of her own. As with everything about the FDR era, it's hard to make direct comparisons because they served so much longer than anyone else. One of my aunts, in Philadelphia, was a tremendous Eleanor Roosevelt devotee. (The rest of that family was Republican.) I heard stories about her from my aunt, but never saw her in person myself.
And thanks for the reminder that Rosalynn Carter was involved in many humanitarian efforts beyond her mental health work.
Nov 20, 2023·edited Nov 20, 2023Liked by James Fallows
Edith was almost ‘co President’ with Woodrow long before his October 1919 stroke. Woodrow evidently had no long term good friends (except, perhaps, for some fawning females). He left as president of Princeton pissiing off lots of folks and the same with his abbreviated NJ governorship.
At one time he referred to ‘Colonel’ House as his yingyang. He said that House spoke for him. Edith was very jealous of House’s influence. When Wilson returned to France in 1919, House briefed him on his concessions. Woodrow threw a fit and never spoke with House again.
Early on Woodrow distanced himself from his VP, Governor Tom Marshall. They differed on policy (and humor) and Woodrow abandoned him.
After his stroke, there was a White House conspiracy to keep it a secret, even from Marshall.
While several cabinet members suggested that Marshall step forward, he strongly refused.
Wilson was really ill. One time the White House arranged a ‘show and tell’ with a gaggle of Dem & Rep senators. It went well. I am unaware that Woodrow ever assumed his full presidential role.
Indeed, he seemed quite gaga in his final months in the White House, even talking about running for a 3rd term.
Rosalyn sat in on Cabinet meetings, but never spoke. You know better than I the influence she had on Jimmy—massive? Hillary was a strong influencer during Bill’s presidency. She refused to turnover Whitewater documents requested by the Washington Post—what Bill later called his worst political mistake in his presidency.
Naming Hillary as the head of health reform legislation was, in my opinion, a massive mistake. Hillary and two sidekicks produced a 1300 page monstrosity that sank like a rock before being chewed over in Congress. The word ‘compromise’ was not in her vocabulary.
P. S. I met Eleanor when I was 6 or 7. I remembered her prominent teeth.
THIS I BELIEVE was created by my dad and Edward R. Murrow in memory of my mother. At one time it reached 39 million people weekly. Eleanor’s TIB was the first that did not express a belief in a god. After discussion, this was approved.
Many years later I had 600 students write personal TIBs in my SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES BETWEEN EARLY JUDAISM, CHRISTIANITY, AND ISLAM course.
Later I conducted 10 4-6 week This I Believe programs for ‘older folks.’ I used Eleanor’s TIB. It took a while to realize that she made no mention of ‘love.’ Rather, duty and obligation were her foci.
Just saw the news about Charlie. What a guy! What an astonishing gang of TWM alumni. Rather recently I reread his 1980 What Washington is Really Like and Hedrick Smith’s The Power Game 1986. Plus la change plus la meme chose, except accelerated.
You filled in and are contributing to shed light on major crevasses on the military and elsewhere.
Jim In the packet I sent you some time ago, there was an Eisenhower Fellowship/This I believe book with a preface by Colin Powell. I describe more about This I Believe. I recall that none of the 34 Fellows’ TIBs focused on god.
I join you and the rest of the nation in mourning the death of this great lady, and in gratitude for her life's work. May she rest in peace. And if my experiences with other long-married couples is any indication, I'm sure President Carter will soon join her.
I'm glad you mentioned Betty Ford and her experience recovering from alcoholism. We seldom acknowledge this fact, but addiction to drugs and alcohol is also a mental illness (recognized as such by the AMA in 1956 and the APA in 1994), and has perhaps the highest death toll of any others. Unfortunately, recovery programs still need to incorporate the word "anonymous" in their titles because of the stigma that continues to be associated with the disease of addiction. Death from addiction is no less tragic than death by any other cause.
Thankfully, there are many people in this country and around the world who continue the work of Mrs. Carter and Mrs. Ford, still led by the same compassion and wisdom that these ladies exhibited. We see the results of their efforts every day, all around us - usually without knowing that we are witnessing still another success story.
Yes, we have had the same thought about the likely prospects for Jimmy Carter. He has remarkably hung on through these nine months since announcing that he was receiving hospice care. As you say, couples this close often have conjoined fates.
And, yes, I think Rosalynn Carter would be the first to say that addictions including alcoholism should be included in the mental-health challenges that deserved a different sort of treatment and recovery. I don't actually know whether she and Betty Ford made joint appearances (I know that their husbands became close friends — as is natural for most people who have been through the unique pressures of the presidency.) But the messages and influence of the two former First Ladies were in parallel.
It's unsurprising that Sainted Ray Gun undid the mental health legislation. If there wasn't an oversupply of untreated insane morons, there would be no Republicans for vote for a guy like Sainted Ray Gun, who James Garner - who was VP of SAG when Ray Gun was pres of the union - once described in two words: "amiable dunce."
Nov 20, 2023·edited Nov 20, 2023Liked by James Fallows
Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter were the best people to live in the White House in my lifetime, and that span covers the last 73 years. It's one of the nation's great misfortunes that the times were not right for them to have a greater influence on American politics.
Yes. They were both iron-willed people, and "virtuous" rather than "sweet" or "easy going." But, for all their bad luck during the years in the White House, they had the good fortune of 40-plus years afterward to show the world what they stood for and what they could accomplish.
The long-term reputation and influence of public figures can rise and fall in ways hard to anticipate during the most active parts of their careers. I think the Carters will be in the category — like Harry Truman, like Ulysses Grant — of leaders whose reputation rises in the long run.
Jim Unlike ‘The Comeback Kid’ Clinton, whose core lack of character plays poorly for me in hind sight. John Adams, a feisty fellow, chosen country over presidential politics, when he refused to declare war on France in the late 1790s.
Too bad that Abigail wasn’t president. John and Abigail were resurrected historically by David McCullough’s Pulitzer bio. Ditto for Truman with David’s Pulitzer Truman, though Hamby’s bio was more balanced.
I wonder how Obama (and Michelle) will look historically in another decade.
I feel sad for President Carter and his family. She clearly was a keystone for them all. Of course I knew it was coming, as we all did, but I didn't expect it so soon after the hospice announcement. And so it shocks a bit, and it is a portent, unfortunately.
1976 was the first time I was old enough to vote. I recall thinking then that Mrs. Carter didn't seem like political wives I had seen before. She always seemed so substantive; she didn't speak in platitudes, and instead shared thoughtful responses to reporter's questions that really addressed public policy at a meaningful level. It was unusual, to be honest about it. But I thought we needed change, so it felt right.
She deserves her rest, and my heart goes out to her family.
Because the Carters have "always" been part of the public scene as far as most people can recall, it's hard for many people to realize the point you make: How *different* they were when they appeared. Jimmy Carter in his plainness and directness, and Rosalynn in her determination to be a different kind of "political wife."
Of course even before her a number of First Ladies had figured out novel paths to take while in the White House. Eleanor Roosevelt is the most obvious example; or Jackie Kennedy; in her way, Betty Ford. But there is also the model of Pat Nixon, or Mamie Eisenhower, or Bess Truman, who at least as far as the public was concerned were mainly there to support their husbands. (Lady Bird Johnson is a complicated story — as I guess all of these are.)
In their different but complementary ways, Jimmy and Rosalynn did change discourse in just the way you mention: by giving real answers to questions, not what you'd expect from talking points.
Such a lovely tribute, and thank you for the link to Rosalynn's engagement at the JFK Library. Her work changed perceptions of mental illness, profoundly.
A day ago, I listened to your interview with Bianna Golodryga on the "Amanour" podcast. She cited the cliche that "The woman makes the man," while also stating that Jimmy Carter, likely, would never have accomplished what he did in life without her.
I disagree, it was more than that.
They had a marriage. The marriage made the man, the marriage made the woman, and that deep partnership created something better. And I really believe that Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter made our nation better.
Also, I want to mention that her memoir "First Lady from Plains" is an excellent read.
Thanks for a thoughtful remembrance.
Thank you; I appreciate it.
I've long thought that Jimmy Carter was America's greatest post-president. The last one who used the legacy of the office to do further good works when he had left the White House, rather than something to help him secure a great additional new source of income and wealth, as virtually all subsequent presidents have done.
What I hadn't appreciated until reading more on his extraordinary relationship with Rosalynn was that he may have had one of the greatest marriages ever. I'm sure today is a very painful day for the former president, and I hope his faith keeps him strong in the belief that he will be rejoined with his wonderful wife soon. God bless them both.
Marshall, thank you.
Yes, the simple fact that they had nearly 80 years together, and most of those years with both of them in active and engaged condition, is remarkable enough. But what they did with that time, and kept doing absolutely as long as they could, is even more impressive and admirable.
Thanks for this gracious tribute to them.
I've always had a real soft spot for Carter (and the people who worked with him!)
Edith Galt Wilson was the first First Lady to serve as ‘acting’ president.
Eleanor Roosevelt was the most exceptional First Lady, who traveled the country and world to do good things. Her newspaper column MyDay highlighted the range of her good works, as she was FDR’s ‘social conscience.’
I applaud Rosalind Carter for her openness on mental health and Betty Ford on alcoholism.
For me Ms. Carter was an extraordinary First Lady, during Carter’s presidency and subsequently, for her genuine involvement in diverse humanitarian endeavors. Often she did this with muted publicity since she was not seeking personal applause.
Yes, Edith Wilson is in a category of her own. I don't know the historical assessments of the second Wilson term well enough to know what people now make of Edith Wilson's steward ship. (And Col. House.)
And Eleanor Roosevelt in yet another category of her own. As with everything about the FDR era, it's hard to make direct comparisons because they served so much longer than anyone else. One of my aunts, in Philadelphia, was a tremendous Eleanor Roosevelt devotee. (The rest of that family was Republican.) I heard stories about her from my aunt, but never saw her in person myself.
And thanks for the reminder that Rosalynn Carter was involved in many humanitarian efforts beyond her mental health work.
Edith was almost ‘co President’ with Woodrow long before his October 1919 stroke. Woodrow evidently had no long term good friends (except, perhaps, for some fawning females). He left as president of Princeton pissiing off lots of folks and the same with his abbreviated NJ governorship.
At one time he referred to ‘Colonel’ House as his yingyang. He said that House spoke for him. Edith was very jealous of House’s influence. When Wilson returned to France in 1919, House briefed him on his concessions. Woodrow threw a fit and never spoke with House again.
Early on Woodrow distanced himself from his VP, Governor Tom Marshall. They differed on policy (and humor) and Woodrow abandoned him.
After his stroke, there was a White House conspiracy to keep it a secret, even from Marshall.
While several cabinet members suggested that Marshall step forward, he strongly refused.
Wilson was really ill. One time the White House arranged a ‘show and tell’ with a gaggle of Dem & Rep senators. It went well. I am unaware that Woodrow ever assumed his full presidential role.
Indeed, he seemed quite gaga in his final months in the White House, even talking about running for a 3rd term.
Rosalyn sat in on Cabinet meetings, but never spoke. You know better than I the influence she had on Jimmy—massive? Hillary was a strong influencer during Bill’s presidency. She refused to turnover Whitewater documents requested by the Washington Post—what Bill later called his worst political mistake in his presidency.
Naming Hillary as the head of health reform legislation was, in my opinion, a massive mistake. Hillary and two sidekicks produced a 1300 page monstrosity that sank like a rock before being chewed over in Congress. The word ‘compromise’ was not in her vocabulary.
P. S. I met Eleanor when I was 6 or 7. I remembered her prominent teeth.
THIS I BELIEVE was created by my dad and Edward R. Murrow in memory of my mother. At one time it reached 39 million people weekly. Eleanor’s TIB was the first that did not express a belief in a god. After discussion, this was approved.
Many years later I had 600 students write personal TIBs in my SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES BETWEEN EARLY JUDAISM, CHRISTIANITY, AND ISLAM course.
Later I conducted 10 4-6 week This I Believe programs for ‘older folks.’ I used Eleanor’s TIB. It took a while to realize that she made no mention of ‘love.’ Rather, duty and obligation were her foci.
Wow, thank you!
Jim
Just saw the news about Charlie. What a guy! What an astonishing gang of TWM alumni. Rather recently I reread his 1980 What Washington is Really Like and Hedrick Smith’s The Power Game 1986. Plus la change plus la meme chose, except accelerated.
You filled in and are contributing to shed light on major crevasses on the military and elsewhere.
Keep ‘‘em flying.
Jim In the packet I sent you some time ago, there was an Eisenhower Fellowship/This I believe book with a preface by Colin Powell. I describe more about This I Believe. I recall that none of the 34 Fellows’ TIBs focused on god.
I join you and the rest of the nation in mourning the death of this great lady, and in gratitude for her life's work. May she rest in peace. And if my experiences with other long-married couples is any indication, I'm sure President Carter will soon join her.
I'm glad you mentioned Betty Ford and her experience recovering from alcoholism. We seldom acknowledge this fact, but addiction to drugs and alcohol is also a mental illness (recognized as such by the AMA in 1956 and the APA in 1994), and has perhaps the highest death toll of any others. Unfortunately, recovery programs still need to incorporate the word "anonymous" in their titles because of the stigma that continues to be associated with the disease of addiction. Death from addiction is no less tragic than death by any other cause.
Thankfully, there are many people in this country and around the world who continue the work of Mrs. Carter and Mrs. Ford, still led by the same compassion and wisdom that these ladies exhibited. We see the results of their efforts every day, all around us - usually without knowing that we are witnessing still another success story.
Yes, we have had the same thought about the likely prospects for Jimmy Carter. He has remarkably hung on through these nine months since announcing that he was receiving hospice care. As you say, couples this close often have conjoined fates.
And, yes, I think Rosalynn Carter would be the first to say that addictions including alcoholism should be included in the mental-health challenges that deserved a different sort of treatment and recovery. I don't actually know whether she and Betty Ford made joint appearances (I know that their husbands became close friends — as is natural for most people who have been through the unique pressures of the presidency.) But the messages and influence of the two former First Ladies were in parallel.
It's unsurprising that Sainted Ray Gun undid the mental health legislation. If there wasn't an oversupply of untreated insane morons, there would be no Republicans for vote for a guy like Sainted Ray Gun, who James Garner - who was VP of SAG when Ray Gun was pres of the union - once described in two words: "amiable dunce."
Don't get me started.
Please DO start...perhaps in another column on a slow news day? :)
Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter were the best people to live in the White House in my lifetime, and that span covers the last 73 years. It's one of the nation's great misfortunes that the times were not right for them to have a greater influence on American politics.
Yes. They were both iron-willed people, and "virtuous" rather than "sweet" or "easy going." But, for all their bad luck during the years in the White House, they had the good fortune of 40-plus years afterward to show the world what they stood for and what they could accomplish.
The long-term reputation and influence of public figures can rise and fall in ways hard to anticipate during the most active parts of their careers. I think the Carters will be in the category — like Harry Truman, like Ulysses Grant — of leaders whose reputation rises in the long run.
Jim Unlike ‘The Comeback Kid’ Clinton, whose core lack of character plays poorly for me in hind sight. John Adams, a feisty fellow, chosen country over presidential politics, when he refused to declare war on France in the late 1790s.
Too bad that Abigail wasn’t president. John and Abigail were resurrected historically by David McCullough’s Pulitzer bio. Ditto for Truman with David’s Pulitzer Truman, though Hamby’s bio was more balanced.
I wonder how Obama (and Michelle) will look historically in another decade.
I feel sad for President Carter and his family. She clearly was a keystone for them all. Of course I knew it was coming, as we all did, but I didn't expect it so soon after the hospice announcement. And so it shocks a bit, and it is a portent, unfortunately.
1976 was the first time I was old enough to vote. I recall thinking then that Mrs. Carter didn't seem like political wives I had seen before. She always seemed so substantive; she didn't speak in platitudes, and instead shared thoughtful responses to reporter's questions that really addressed public policy at a meaningful level. It was unusual, to be honest about it. But I thought we needed change, so it felt right.
She deserves her rest, and my heart goes out to her family.
Yes, thank you — very well put.
Because the Carters have "always" been part of the public scene as far as most people can recall, it's hard for many people to realize the point you make: How *different* they were when they appeared. Jimmy Carter in his plainness and directness, and Rosalynn in her determination to be a different kind of "political wife."
Of course even before her a number of First Ladies had figured out novel paths to take while in the White House. Eleanor Roosevelt is the most obvious example; or Jackie Kennedy; in her way, Betty Ford. But there is also the model of Pat Nixon, or Mamie Eisenhower, or Bess Truman, who at least as far as the public was concerned were mainly there to support their husbands. (Lady Bird Johnson is a complicated story — as I guess all of these are.)
In their different but complementary ways, Jimmy and Rosalynn did change discourse in just the way you mention: by giving real answers to questions, not what you'd expect from talking points.