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- Jimmy Carter found a crucial ally in the Senate in the 1970s: a young Democrat named Joe Biden.
- Biden was the first national figure to endorse Carter’s 1976 presidential campaign.
- Their friendship, spanning over 50 years, was built on mutual respect and political collaboration.
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Quick Brief
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Essential Context
When Jimmy Carter and Joe Biden met in the mid-1970s, both were political underdogs. Carter, then the Governor of Georgia, and Biden, a young senator from Delaware, forged a strong and enduring friendship.
Core Players
- Jimmy Carter – 39th President of the United States (1977-1981)
- Joe Biden – U.S. Senator from Delaware (1973-2009), 46th President of the United States (2021-present)
- Rosalynn Carter – Former First Lady of the United States
- Jill Biden – Current First Lady of the United States
Key Numbers
- 1974: The year Carter and Biden first met in Atlanta.
- 1976: Biden became the first senator and national figure to endorse Carter for president.
- 50+ years: The duration of Carter and Biden’s friendship.
- 3 times: The amount of days Biden spent campaigning in Pennsylvania for Carter compared to Carter himself.
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The Catalyst
“I was so intrigued by Joe that I departed from my normal practice, which is to be polite, then withdraw. And I went to the Jaycee convention with him that night. And I listened to his speech,” Carter recalled.
Inside Forces
Their relationship was deepened by mutual respect and shared political values. Biden became a key congressional point man for Carter during his presidency. Ted Kaufman, Biden’s longtime adviser, noted that the friendship was strengthened by the positive relationship between their spouses, Jill Biden and Rosalynn Carter.
“When you and your spouse both have a relationship with someone and their spouse, I have found over the years that’s like a booster jet for a friendship,” Kaufman said.
Power Dynamics
Biden’s early endorsement of Carter in 1976 was pivotal. Carter remembered, “Joe Biden spent three times as many days and nights in Pennsylvania campaigning for me as I spent campaigning for myself.” This support was crucial in key primaries.
Biden frequently visited the Carter White House, reflecting their close working relationship and personal bond.
Outside Impact
Their alliance had broader implications for the Democratic Party. Biden saw Carter as a necessary transitional figure who could bridge gaps within the party. This was especially important during a time when the party was losing middle-class working Americans.
Carter’s presidency, supported by Biden, faced significant challenges, including the negotiation of the Panama Canal treaties, which were controversial and politically challenging.
Future Forces
As Biden prepares to eulogize Carter at Washington’s National Cathedral, their enduring friendship serves as a reminder of the power of political alliances. The legacy of their relationship will continue to influence American politics.
“I’ve been hanging out with Jimmy Carter for over 50 years, it dawned on me,” Biden said. “I’ll always be proud to say that — he used to kid me about it — that I was the first national figure to endorse him in 1976 when he ran for president.”
Data Points
- 1974: First meeting between Carter and Biden in Atlanta.
- 1976: Biden endorses Carter for president.
- 1977-1981: Carter’s presidency with Biden as a key ally.
- 2007: Biden recalls the Carter-Biden relationship in his memoir *Promises To Keep*.
- 2024: Biden to eulogize Carter at Washington’s National Cathedral.
The enduring friendship between Jimmy Carter and Joe Biden is a testament to the power of alliances in politics. As Biden reflects on their 50-year relationship, it highlights the importance of mutual respect and collaboration in achieving political goals.
