Michelle Martin

Former President Jimmy Carter has died at the age of 100. Carter served one term in the White House from 1977 to 1981. It was a troubled time when the nation faced high inflation and energy shortages. And Carter struggled over his four years to portray himself as an effective leader. But perhaps his greatest contributions came after he left office.

Former President Jimmy Carter has died at the age of 100. Carter served one term in the White House from 1977 to 1981. It was a troubled time when the nation faced high inflation and energy shortages. And Carter struggled over his four years to portray himself as an effective leader. But perhaps his greatest contributions came after he left office.

In fact, Jimmy Carter has been praised as the nation's greatest former president. I'm Rachel Martin, and you're listening to a special edition of Up First. Today, we're remembering the life of former President Jimmy Carter. And here to talk through Carter's legacy is NPR senior political correspondent Don Gagne. Hey, Don. Hi there. So let's begin our conversation way back in 1976.

In fact, Jimmy Carter has been praised as the nation's greatest former president. I'm Rachel Martin, and you're listening to a special edition of Up First. Today, we're remembering the life of former President Jimmy Carter. And here to talk through Carter's legacy is NPR senior political correspondent Don Gagne. Hey, Don. Hi there. So let's begin our conversation way back in 1976.

In fact, Jimmy Carter has been praised as the nation's greatest former president. I'm Rachel Martin, and you're listening to a special edition of Up First. Today, we're remembering the life of former President Jimmy Carter. And here to talk through Carter's legacy is NPR senior political correspondent Don Gagne. Hey, Don. Hi there. So let's begin our conversation way back in 1976.

These were the last few months of the presidential campaign season. America was celebrating, right? It was the bicentennial, although the country was still reeling from the Vietnam War.

These were the last few months of the presidential campaign season. America was celebrating, right? It was the bicentennial, although the country was still reeling from the Vietnam War.

These were the last few months of the presidential campaign season. America was celebrating, right? It was the bicentennial, although the country was still reeling from the Vietnam War.

Right. And then amid all of that, there's this Southerner running on the Democratic ticket, which in and of itself was a big deal, Jimmy Carter. Where did he come from? What was his political genesis?

Right. And then amid all of that, there's this Southerner running on the Democratic ticket, which in and of itself was a big deal, Jimmy Carter. Where did he come from? What was his political genesis?

Right. And then amid all of that, there's this Southerner running on the Democratic ticket, which in and of itself was a big deal, Jimmy Carter. Where did he come from? What was his political genesis?

Which is sort of interesting because Jimmy Carter's humility was something that also just kind of set him apart. But he had to get traction as a candidate, right? Like he had to get out there and sell himself. How did he do that?

Which is sort of interesting because Jimmy Carter's humility was something that also just kind of set him apart. But he had to get traction as a candidate, right? Like he had to get out there and sell himself. How did he do that?

Which is sort of interesting because Jimmy Carter's humility was something that also just kind of set him apart. But he had to get traction as a candidate, right? Like he had to get out there and sell himself. How did he do that?

And the Peanut Brigade helped pull it out, right? Absolutely. Carter won a narrow victory against Ford.

And the Peanut Brigade helped pull it out, right? Absolutely. Carter won a narrow victory against Ford.

And the Peanut Brigade helped pull it out, right? Absolutely. Carter won a narrow victory against Ford.

Hmm. He had a lot of challenges, though, right from the get-go. He inherited this very troubled economy, the high inflation and interest rates and energy prices all at historic highs. And there were all these fuel shortages and quadrupling of oil prices and the long lines at gas stations. Those are very tough political realities for a president.

Hmm. He had a lot of challenges, though, right from the get-go. He inherited this very troubled economy, the high inflation and interest rates and energy prices all at historic highs. And there were all these fuel shortages and quadrupling of oil prices and the long lines at gas stations. Those are very tough political realities for a president.

Hmm. He had a lot of challenges, though, right from the get-go. He inherited this very troubled economy, the high inflation and interest rates and energy prices all at historic highs. And there were all these fuel shortages and quadrupling of oil prices and the long lines at gas stations. Those are very tough political realities for a president.