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The Back Door into Adulthood continued

But, then, Jimmy Carter went to Washington. Our nation recaptured some hope and needed self-renewal after the dark days of Watergate. He managed to symbolize a fresh approach to politics, but, then, I watched his credibility on the world stage as well as at home slip away after the Sadat-Begin agreement, probably the high point of his presidency.

Why did that happen? Yes, he was an honest, principled man, but he lacked charisma and experience in welding the worldly ways of power.

And, he lacked something else: a first name that is credible in our culture (or, at least, in the isolated ranks of Washington, where condescension is one of the tools in the fine art of politics).

 During Carter's fall from favor with the American public, I began to realize how "Jimmy" could also be patronizing in my case as well.

Called "Jimmy" and tagged as "crippled" was a double whammy that reinforced long-established stereotypes which don't die easily in a rural area.

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