Splaine: Jimmy Carter's legacy features a hammer and a saw

Feb. 24, 1976, the results from the New Hampshire first-in-the-nation presidential primary:  Jimmy Carter, 29 percent; Arizona Congressman Maurice Udall, 23 percent; Indiana U.S. Sen. Birch Bayh, 15 percent; Oklahoma U.S. Sen. Fred Harris, 11 percent; former Peace Corps director Sargent Shriver, 8 percent; others, 14 percent.

Jimmy Carter got his "launch" here by his surprising win. A slew of Washington types were running, but this underfunded, much lesser-known former Georgia governor and peanut farmer topped the ballot over those who many national political observers had predicted would get that year's Democratic presidential nomination. A secret weapon was his "Peanut Brigade" of volunteers who knew him from his home state. He, and they, spent a lot of time talking with us face to face.

The first time I met Jimmy Carter was a few weeks before our primary when I was invited to do a live interview at WMUR's Manchester station, located then in an old building on Elm Street. The previous year I had sponsored the law mandating the date of our primary be a week before any other, so there was interest in how that worked.

While I was waiting to be invited into the studio, Jimmy Carter came into the lobby, which was really just a hallway.  No one was with him, no Secret Service, no aides.  We chatted for several minutes, mostly small talk.  While I was committed to and helping Sargent Shriver, I was very impressed by him.

His success here surprised national Democrats. That November he defeated a well-liked incumbent, President Gerald Ford, who had taken office after the resignation of President Richard Nixon.

At quiet moments, I like to take old magazines from my shelves and turn the pages to look at a slice of time from years ago. My dozens of National Geographics are a favorite. I also kept a lot of my old "TV Guide" magazines, which in those days was how we learned what was on television. Last week I looked through my Jan. 15-21, 1977 issue.

In it are a half-dozen full-page cigarette advertisements, an offer to join a music club to get several bonus 8-track tapes "free," a new Bob Hope comedy special, and an ABC Pro Bowl Sports special hosted by Howard Cosell and Frank Gifford. On Thursday, Jan. 20, are the listings of the full day of presidential inaugural festivities for Jimmy Carter and Walter Mondale. 

Jimmy Carter's swearing in was a breath of fresh air for an exhausted nation after too many years of Vietnam and Watergate.  Network coverage that day included names like Tom Brokaw, David Brinkley, John Chancellor, Jane Pauley, Walter Cronkite, Roger Mudd, Harry Reasoner, Howard K. Smith and Barbara Walters.

Names, ads, and times from the past, now gone.

The shortness of our lives reminds us of our fragility. Jimmy Carter has taught us much about living a life of dedication to others.  Attaining the top political role in our nation would be an impressive accomplishment for any lifetime. How he has lived his life after his term as president was up, and now as he is facing the end of his life, should inspire all of us.   

The 42 years since he left office in 1981 have proven him to be a man of quality and honesty. Unlike other ex-presidents, he didn't join corporate boards or accept high-paying speaking engagements. Instead he picked up a hammer and a saw working with Habitat For Humanity to construct affordable housing, and in the meanwhile fought for democracy and diversity and against hate worldwide, winning a Nobel Peace Prize on the way.

What each of us contributes on Earth doesn't depend on the number of years we live. Our impact comes from our caring for others and cheering their success. Through his example, Jimmy Carter will live way beyond his 98 years.  His hammer and saw are needed somewhere else now.

Today's quote: “I have one life and one chance to make it count for something. My faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I am, whenever I can, for as long as I can with whatever I have to try to make a difference.” — Jimmy Carter

Next time:  Karen Conard — Newest Pease Development Authority member.Jim Splaine has served variously since 1969 as Portsmouth assistant mayor, Police Commission member, and School Board member, as well as New Hampshire state senator and representative. He can be reached at jimsplaineportsmouth@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Splaine: Jimmy Carter − a hammer and a saw