From Plains to Scranton: A Reflection on Jimmy Carter and Joe Biden

By Quardricos Bernard Driskell

The history of the American presidency is as much a study of contrasts as similarities. Rarely do two presidents, decades apart, find themselves compared as closely as Jimmy Carter and Joe Biden–one the son of a peanut farmer from Plains, Georgia, and the other a boy from Scranton, Pennsylvania. Neither came from the cloistered halls of Washington, D.C.; both were outsiders, shaped by their unique paths and personal convictions, who came to symbolize the grit and tenacity of America’s working class.

Jimmy Carter entered the White House during a time of national disillusionment following the tumult of Watergate and the Vietnam War. Decades later, Joe Biden took office in the wake of a global pandemic, economic upheaval, and unprecedented political polarization. While their presidencies were shaped by different crises, both men sought to lead with empathy, guided by a moral compass deeply rooted in their personal faith and life experiences.

Neither Carter nor Biden has been considered a quintessential member of the Washington elite. Carter’s unpretentious nature and outsider status earned him a reputation as a reformer intent on reshaping government to better serve the people. Biden, despite a long career in the Senate, has often been seen as an everyman—a politician who speaks the language of middle America, even as he navigates the complexities of modern governance. This outsider image has both buoyed their popularity among certain segments of the electorate and contributed to challenges in managing the entrenched political machinery of Washington.

Their journeys toward championing civil rights also bear striking similarities. Carter, a white Southerner, defied regional norms by advocating for racial equality, a stance that drew both admiration and ire. His commitment was evident in his efforts to diversify government appointments and his outspoken support for human rights abroad. Biden, for his part, has long been a vocal advocate for civil rights, dating back to his opposition to apartheid in South Africa and his work on landmark legislation like the Violence Against Women Act. Both men’s records reflect a willingness to address systemic inequities, often at political cost.

Yet, both Carter and Biden share another, less flattering parallel: the perception of unpopularity and the likelihood of being one-term presidents. Economic struggles and the Iran hostage crisis overshadowed Carter’s accomplishments in energy policy and international diplomacy. Similarly, Biden’s presidency faces criticism over inflation, immigration, and handling of international conflicts despite significant achievements like infrastructure investments and pandemic recovery efforts. Their presidencies remind us that political narratives are often shaped as much by circumstances as by substance.

Despite these challenges, both men’s post-presidential legacies tell a story of resilience and ethical leadership. Carter’s humanitarian work through the Carter Center has made him one of the most admired former presidents in American history. Biden, still in office (at the time of this writing), has the opportunity to define his legacy in ways that transcend immediate political battles. Whether through advancing climate initiatives, protecting voting rights, or strengthening America’s global standing, Biden’s story—like Carter’s—is far from finished.

Jimmy Carter and Joe Biden are reminders that the presidency is not solely about wielding power but about embodying values that reflect the nation’s best aspirations. They demonstrate that being an outsider—unpolished, unyielding, and deeply human—can be both a strength and a vulnerability. In a political landscape often dominated by cynicism and division, their lives and leadership offer lessons in humility, perseverance, and the enduring belief in the promise of America.

Professor Quardricos Bernard Driskell is a federal healthcare lobbyist and an adjunct professor of legislative politics, where he teaches race, religion, and politics at The George Washington University Graduate School of Political Management. Follow him on Twitter @q_driskell4