Carter is seen in a bad light because of the shape of the country as he runs against Nixon. The tough thing about being President, as Grover Cleveland called it: a bleak mountain, is that your policies aren't always felt in the immediate - which is what voters ask for - and you're at risk of reaping the repercussions of the former administration. The great inflation was many things, but to Carter's credit he had a LONG-TERM vision - which is missing from many administrations - he wanted us self-sufficient, energy independent, diplomatic and set for the future. He was one of the last President's in recent time to have true integrity. He was a man of faith and practiced it. He carried his own bags. He didn't let them play hail to the chief when he came into a room. He didn't want war with Iran. Carter could have been one of the greats, but he was anti-establishment before it came into vogue - the Iran Hostage Crisis was arguably political, and his own party fought him tooth and nail. He was like a tea-party for the Democrats. I think he goes under-appreciated.