Presidency didn’t change Jimmy Carter

Rockford: Three delegates from the area who supported Jimmy Carter shared their memories of him. They said the humble man they met on the campaign trail was the same after he became president.

Carter, who passed away at 100 in his hometown of Plains, Georgia, was known for his genuine nature. Mike Rotello, a former Rockford alderman, and his fellow delegates, Victory Bell and Shelia Hooper, all had fond memories of their time with him.

Rotello, who got involved in Carter’s campaign at just 22, recalled how he was drawn to Carter’s calm demeanor and competence. He was excited to help run a presidential campaign, even if it was just a volunteer gig.

He had the chance to introduce Carter when he visited Rockford in 1976. Although Carter didn’t return for the general election, his running mate and even his son made appearances, showing how down-to-earth the Carters were.

Rotello fondly remembered how Carter would stay in people’s homes instead of hotels, which made him feel more connected to the community. After Carter’s election, Rotello was invited to the inauguration, a big deal for someone from a small town.

Bell, who was a delegate in 1980, also shared his thoughts. He found Carter to be friendly and deeply committed to helping underserved communities. Hooper admired Carter’s intelligence and kindness, noting that he never boasted about his naval background.

Rotello believes Carter was a better president than many think, despite facing tough challenges like inflation and the Iranian hostage crisis. He admired how Carter focused on keeping the hostages safe, even when public opinion was calling for military action.

In the end, Rotello feels Carter deserves more credit than he often gets. He was a genuine person who truly cared about others, and that’s what made him memorable.