Jimmy Carter: A Centennial Assessment – The American Spectator | USA News and PoliticsThe American Spectator

Jimmy Carter today becomes the first American president to live to be 100 years old. Presidential scholars mostly consider Carter to have been a mediocre president. In two of his four presidential years, the unemployment rate averaged above 7 percent, with two years of inflation of more than 10 percent. Mortgage interest rates reached into the double digits. It was the era of stagflation and malaise. A seemingly ebbing planetary presence was symbolized by the U.S. giving up control over the Panama Canal. Domestically, Carter successfully advocated for a federal Department of Education that has subsequently been spectacularly unsuccessful in improving American educational opportunities. I heartily concur with most historians who give Carter low marks as president. Moreover, I even thought it was inappropriate for Carter to assume an aggressive position for several years after his presidency in continuing to meet with…