EDMUND901

If Rosalynn had made it to 2025 she would have surpassed Bess Truman in March for longevity of First Ladies.

Before Carter’s vice president Mondale died in 2021 in his last email he stated his satisfaction that he could let go with Biden in the White House to carry on. I could see Carter waiting Trump out for 4 years until another Democratic President is elected or sworn in.

There was a draft movement for former Senator James Buckley of New York in 1976. Buckley who lived to 100 years and 162 days I don't know if he actually became a candidate so not sure if this would count.

Interestingly enough Georgia was the first state to lower its voting age from 21 to 18 in 1943. Thus Carter would have cast his first vote for Roosevelt in 1944. This would have been an absentee ballot as he resided in Annapolis, Maryland attending the Naval Academy but he was probably registered in his home state.

When Alf Landon turned 100 President Reagan came to visit him and there were pictures of them sitting on the porch eating cake. Might we see a similar type of picture now?

When Carter announced his cancer diagnosis in 2015 I like many others rushed down to attend his Sunday school class not being sure how much more time there might be. Now nearly a decade later he is nearing his 100th birthday. Never count Jimmy out.

Another thing that may be keeping Jimmy going is maybe he has a new girlfriend. Millions of widows and widowers with long happy marriages find love again and I am sure Rosalynn would want that for him if he met the right person.

I wonder if Jimmy has recorded a message of endorsement for Harris to be played at the convention. I also wonder if Harris will stop in Plains to join in birthday celebrations, Georgia being a main swing state she will be making a lot of stops there anyway.

Ethel said she would outdo Rose Kennedy in number of children which she did; Rose's 9 vs Ethel's 11. She could outdo Rose in her lifespan of 104 . Several more years to go but she's on her way.

I wonder if Jimmy is up to it he tries to record a message to be broadcast at the Democratic convention as he did in 2020. Seeing as Biden was the first senator to endorse him for president in 1976 he might go the extra mile to show support.

I remember when I attended Carter's Sunday School class several years ago. According to his grandson it is difficult to understand Jimmy's speech now but with technology he could type the words for the lesson into a computer and it could be projected onto a screen and voice simulated. He is such a bible scholar it would be as inspirational as ever even if he only did it once every couple of months.

One thing which may be keeping Jimmy going is that he has a new girlfriend. Even with a long happy marriage it is not uncommon for a widow or widower to find love again. This may sound far fetched at this point but there is no limit to the human heart’s ability to love and want companionship. I’m sure it has extended many lives.

I wonder if Jimmy will try to make it to the Democratic National Convention in August. He has attended every one since 1972 except for 2020 because of Covid. Especially since he’s closer to Biden than his other successors and would like to be there to support him.

It would be interesting to see if he issues a statement on the latest Middle East developments especially considering how large a roll Iran played in his administration.

In some ways it was harder being how accessible Carter had been to the public like his regular Sunday school classes. I attended one and it was interesting to see how quick and efficient the Secret Service was in getting the public through admittance to the sanctuary, always polite, thorough and professional.

Carter has now surpassed the longest lived Vice President John Nance Garner.

The city of Uvalde, Texas was planning former Vice President John Nance Garner’s 99th birthday celebration when Garner passed away 15 days before his birthday. Keeping good thoughts and hopes for Carter. I had the opportunity of attending President Carter’s Sunday school class in 2015 shortly after his cancer announcement. He was then already 91 and after just a few months treatment was cancer free and remained active for several years. This bodes well for Carter’s continued presence for the near future.