Carter's State Funeral Unites Political Rivals in DC
The Facts
The state funeral for former US Pres. Jimmy Carter, who died on Dec. 29 aged 100, was held at Washington National Cathedral on Jan. 9, marking a national day of mourning declared by Pres. Joe Biden.
All living presidents attended the service, including Biden, former Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Pres.-elect Donald Trump.
The Spin
Democratic narrative
Pres. Carter exemplified the Democratic Party's ideals of compassion, service, and progress. He achieved historic peace through the Camp David Accords, strengthened US-China relations, and spearheaded human rights campaigns. Domestically, he prioritized energy reform and created the Departments of Energy and Education. Following Pres. Nixon's corrupt Watergate scandal, Carter brought integrity and Democratic leadership back to the White House.
Republican narrative
Jimmy Carter was a good president because he exemplified the opposite of what Democrats represent today. Carter maintained honesty and humility, tackling inherited problems with integrity, while Pres. Joe Biden has rightly been criticized for self-serving actions and creating his own crises. Carter's character focused on service and faith, unlike Biden's emphasis on personal legacy and political pettiness.
Cynical narrative
It makes sense that neoliberal Democrats and neoconservative Republicans are lauding Carter now, given his economic and foreign policy failures. His inability to manage inflation and the Iran crisis supported neoliberal deregulation and neoconservative military buildup. His ineffective domestic policies and the Carter Doctrine also aligned with their advocacy for crony capitalism and aggressive, war-hawkish foreign policy.
