Joe Biden and Jimmy Carter had a longstanding friendship that began with Biden being the first senator to endorse Carter’s presidential bid in 1976. Despite their differences, such as Carter’s critical view of Biden’s age as a factor in being president, they respected each other. Biden saw Carter as an example of simple decency, while Carter admired Biden’s commitment to working-class voters. Although they clashed over certain policies, such as busing for school integration, they worked together on issues like ratifying the Panama Canal treaties.
Biden credited Carter with showing him the importance of experience in the White House. Carter, in turn, transformed the role of the vice presidency to be more influential, which influenced Biden’s decision to accept Barack Obama’s offer to be his running mate. After becoming president in 2020, Biden aimed to restore America’s soul, inspired by Carter’s dedication to honesty and dignity in leadership.
Their friendship endured until Carter’s death, with Biden preparing to deliver the eulogy for the former president. Carter’s simple decency and commitment to serving others left a lasting impression on Biden, who believes the world can learn from Carter’s example. While they had their disagreements, their friendship and respect for one another persisted throughout their lives.
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