I met Jimmy Carter at Wal-Mart today
I found myself in a Super Wal-Mart today for the first time in more than six months. I wasn’t there to pick up some cheap bread, deodorant or Tupperware though. I was there to see former president Jimmy Carter. No Joke. Carter was signing copies of his latest book “A Remarkable Mother.” I picked up a copy for $15.97 (a decent discount from the $22.95 suggested retail price) and stood in the long line, already more than 200 people deep an hour before the signing was scheduled to start. I met some nice folks who held my place while I went around to scope out the scene and interview some people. You can read the story I wrote and watch the video I made for MyNC.com here.
Carter was sitting behind a plastic folding table in the little room where they keep the restrooms. If you’re even remotely familiar with the layout of a Super Wal-Mart (I am b/c that was one of the only places to hang out after 9 p.m. in my hometown) picture this: The line stretched from the restrooms, down the aisle between the baby clothes and the regular kids clothes, then down the long aisle that separates the grocery section from the rest of the store and then all the way across the front of the store.
But organizers said Carter, a prolific author of more than 20 books, usually tries to fit in at least one Wal-Mart or Sam’s Club into his book tours. The former peanut farmer was buddies with the late Sam Walton, Wal-Mart’s founder.
So what do you think about Carter coming to Wal-Mart? Does it make sense since he used to be buds with Sam Walton? Or should he avoid helping out the mega chain?
I’m sorry that book signings are so impersonal, especially for such a folksy guy. I bought the book several weeks ago as a Mother’s Day gift for my mom, but selfishly decided to read it first. I found it to be a really easy read – not particularly polished, but a real inside look at life with Miss Lillian. I always knew she was a character, but didn’t realize what a strong woman she was nor did I know how involved she was in his presidency. As a native Georgian, I have always liked Carter and thought he got a raw deal with the hostage situation (I think he does too). I would love to have gotten a signature, but I’m just as glad I didn’t trek down there to stand in line that long.
Jimmeh Cahtah! haha.
The late Sam Walton was a pretty nice guy. He probably would not the way Wal-Mart is treating small towns, the hording of money (hardly giving a dime to any of its employees) and the company’s lack of honest philanthropy (in comparison to Target).
I worked at a Sam’s Club in Cary. There are pictures of him on the walls of the breakroom looking like he is watching over you. I generally took my breaks outside.
I was lucky enough to meet Jimmy Carter at the Regulator a few years ago in Durham. My son, who is named after him, was a baby at the time. We had pinned a bunch of old Carter/Mondale campaign buttons to his Baby Bjorn. When we approached the former president, he asked the baby’s name. We told him that we named our son after him. He said, “Good choice.” with a grin. Then he graciously posed for some photos with us and our son. He was charming, and I somehow felt as if I were standing amidst royalty. Those photos will be special keepsakes for our son, and he’ll appreciate them when he’s older.
Wow, that must have been such a rush. You must also truly love Jimmy Carter to name your son after him. Thanks for sharing this anecdote. It’s worth a blog post itself.
[...] considered the easiest autograph of the living presidents to obtain. Carter still makes regular public appearances and has authored numerous books which have put him on the book signing circuit frequently – perhaps [...]
I also caught up with President Carter at my local Wal-Mart awhile back. It was a great experience. I have a video of him signing, if anyone would like to see it you can check it out here:
http://blog.autographfan.com/2009/01/former-president-jimmy-carter-visits.html