The Failing Popularity of Jimmy Carter Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Failing Popularity of Jimmy Carter - Essay ExampleDivisions in the Democratic Party arose over the direction of interior(prenominal) policy and split party unity. A divisive Democratic primary between Carter and challenger Ted Kennedy (Dem, MA.) left the campaign in disarray. According to Hamilton Jordan, Carters chief governmental advisor, the Democratic outlook was ...not enhanced or strengthened by the contest, but damaged severely (qtd. in Biven). Yet, against this backdrop of failure and frustration, even darker clouds had gathered. By July 1980, Carters approval rating had dropped to 21%, lower than Richard Nixons at the time of his resignation. This dramatic drop was precipitated by two key events. Americas runaway inflation and the Iran hostage ordeal had taken a heavy toll on Americas confidence in the Carter presidency.There is an old political saying that says Americans vote with their pocketbooks. This was certainly true in the 1980 re option call forth of Jimmy C arter. Rampant inflation had severely reduced wage earners purchasing power throughout the Carter old age. Carter opposed Gerald Ford in the presidential race of 1976 during iodin of our historys greatest sparing slumps. During the campaign Carter had criticized Ford for his inability to deal with inflation and unemployment. When Carter was inaugurated in 1977, the country was beginning to show some signs of improvement. However, after four years of Carters administration inflation had risen from 4.8% in 1976 to 12% at the time of the 1980 election (Huckshorn). Inflation, the publics measure of the economy, was rooted in Carters inability to deal with major economic issues.Carter, had a long-term vision for energy policy, but was ineffective at dealing with Americas immediate need for oil during his short term as President. OPECs sozzled control of the oil market had boosted prices and in the period from 1978 to1979 oil prices nearly doubled (Williams). Not coincidentally the na tional deficit was also rising at record rates. Americas debt resulted in further erosion of the dollar on the international market. These economic forces conspired to send inflation to a lofty 20% in January and February of 1980 (Biven). though consumers probably suffered less than was conventionally believed, the overriding shadow of the double-digit inflation rate in the daily papers dashed any hope Carter had for reelection.While go about with growing domestic discontent, Carter was presented with what became the most overpowering and difficult problem of his presidency, the Iranian hostage crises. In November 1979, militant Iranian students took control of the American Embassy in capital of Iran and took American diplomats and others hostage while demanding the return of the previously overthrown Shah .The hostages were released in January 1981, after being held for 444 days, but the damage to Carter had already been done. The fate of the hostages and the ever-present news bro adcasts amplify the inability of the Carter administrations incompetence in handling the crisis. A failed rescue attempt and general frustration added to the publics eroding approval of the Presidents performance. Carters popularity continued downward as the election was held and Carter was handed defeat at the hands of Ronald Reagan.Carters administration was working behind the scenes to free the hostages,