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Transcript/ScriptUSAGM SHARE
((PLAYBOOK SLUG: Jimmy Carter Reporter Reflection TV
HEADLINE: VOA Correspondent Kane Farabaugh Reflects on Long Relationship with Former President Jimmy Carter
TEASER:
PUBLISHED AT: 12/30/2024 at 9:30 am
BYLINE: Kane Farabaugh
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Chicago, Illinois
VIDEOGRAPHER: Kane Farabaugh
PRODUCER: Kane Farabaugh
SCRIPT EDITORS: Bowman, Reifenrath, DJ (ok)
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA, Carter Center, AP
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV X RADIO __
TRT: 4:47
VID APPROVED BY: mia
TYPE:
EDITOR NOTES: ))
((INTRODUCTION))
[[For 17 years, VOA Correspondent Kane Farabaugh has covered the life and legacy of Jimmy Carter, developing a close friendship with America’s 39th president. He shares his personal reflections about the late world leader and influential humanitarian. ]]
((NARRATOR))
When we first met in 2006 during one of his book tours, I had not yet interviewed a former president. I was nervous. Jimmy Carter, on the other hand …
((Kane Farabaugh, VOA Correspondent)) ((2006))
“It’s not your first time, is it?”
((Jimmy Carter, Former President)) ((2006))
“No, it’s not the first time.”
((NARRATOR))
Over the course of nearly two decades and dozens of one-on-one interviews, Carter became more than just the subject of my news reports. He became a friend to me and my family, and even spent time with my children, including my eldest son Lucas.
((Jimmy Carter, Former President)) ((2015))
“I want to shake hands with you … your father is one of my best friends. You like him too? Is he a good father or not?”
((NARRATOR))
My desire to better understand the 39th president's life and legacy brought me to events and symposiums around the country organized by the Carter Center, his global nonprofit organization. I came to know a punctual man more interested in concrete results than the optics — or politics — surrounding them, a supremely humble and patient citizen of the world who made time for everyone who sought him out.
((NAT SOUND))
I also collected and read books — those he wrote and those written about him — and I often visited Plains, Georgia, to see him teach Sunday school,
((NAT Carter teaching))
and participated in events hosted in his hometown.
((Jimmy Carter, Former President)) ((2014))
“When I teach, Plains prospers!”
((NARRATOR))
Initially, I didn’t know anyone in Plains except the former president and his wife, former first lady Rosalynn Carter. But I was welcomed like a neighbor by those close to him, and through the years forged friendships that endure today.
((Jimmy Carter, Former President)) ((2018))
“You see what my family was like. Aren’t you all amazed that I became president!”
((NARRATOR))
My friendship with Carter led to hosting panel discussions and participating in town hall meetings, personal dinners, fishing trips, and book signings across the country.
((Kane Farabaugh, VOA Correspondent)) ((2017))
“I saw the clip about releasing the sea turtles. That must have been exciting, right?”
((Jimmy Carter, Former President)) ((2017))
“I was there with my grandchildren and great-grandchildren.”
((NARRATOR))
But it was during our semi-regular exclusive interviews that covered everything from neglected tropical diseases to Mideast peace …
((Kane Farabaugh, VOA Correspondent)) ((2007))
“Leaving the White House seems to have been the best thing that could have happened to you…”
((Jimmy Carter, Former President)) ((2007))
“I didn’t think so at the time! But it's turned out to be.”
(NARRATOR))
… that I came to understand what was important to Carter, and why.
((Kane Farabaugh, VOA Correspondent)) ((2007))
“You bring a voice and awareness to people that wouldn’t otherwise have a voice."
((Jimmy Carter, Former President)) ((2007))
“That is an important part of the Carter Center is to bring publicity the plight of people who would otherwise be ignored.”
((NARRATOR))
Some might think my friendship with Carter would prevent me from reporting on him objectively; however, I did not avoid difficult or controversial topics with him.
((Kane Farabaugh, VOA Correspondent)) ((2008))
“Their contention is that just by the fact that you visit with Hamas provides legitimacy to the way that they behave and they act.”
((Jimmy Carter, Former President)) ((2008))
“First of all, my visit didn’t legitimize or delegitimize anybody!”
((NARRATOR))
Our friendship also didn’t prevent me from covering Carter's difficult moments … such as his 2015 announcement he was dealing with life-threatening cancer.
((Kane Farabaugh, VOA Correspondent)) ((2015))
“What has been the most difficult part about the news for you?”
((Jimmy Carter, Former President)) ((2015))
“The liver surgery was fairly extensive. They removed about one-tenth of my liver, I understand.”
((NARRATOR))
President Carter survived his battle with cancer but suffered further health setbacks. Despite falling and fracturing his hip in 2019, Carter did not cancel our interview ahead of his 95th birthday.
((NAT SOUND, President Carter)) ((2019))
“Hi, Kane!”
((Kane Farabaugh, VOA Correspondent)) ((2019))
“Good morning, President Carter. How are you?”
((Jimmy Carter, Former President)) ((2019))
"I'm fine."
((Kane Farabaugh, VOA Correspondent)) ((2019))
"It's so good to see you."
((Jimmy Carter, Former President)) ((2019))
"You look snazzy this morning."
((Kane Farabaugh, VOA Correspondent)) ((2019))
"Well, not as good as you."
((NARRATOR))
In 2011, President Carter’s son Jeff wrote a book documenting the ancestry of his parents. While reading it, I discovered I had an even stronger connection to President Carter. We are related through my 11th great-grandparents, some of the early settlers of Rhode Island, and Jimmy Carter was my ninth cousin three times removed.
But beyond an ancestral connection, while he is remembered as a peanut farmer, submariner, governor, artist, fisherman, Nobel Peace Prize recipient, carpenter, global humanitarian, and …
((Kane Farabaugh, VOA Correspondent)) ((2014))
“He’s often referred to as the ‘greatest ex-president?’”
((Rosalynn Carter, Former First Lady)) ((2014))
“Yeah, and I don’t like that. He was a great President. People are finding it out.”
((NARRATOR))
Jimmy Carter will always be to me, the greatest man I have ever met and will ever have the good fortune to call my friend.
((MONTAGE OF FAREWELLS FROM INTERVIEWS))
((Kane Farabaugh, VOA Correspondent)) ((2014))
“Thanks for giving us so much time.”
((Jimmy Carter, Former President))
“It’s a pleasure. It’s always a pleasure to be with you, Kane."
((Kane Farabaugh, VOA Correspondent)) ((2015))
“We always welcome the chance to talk to you, President Carter.”
((Jimmy Carter, Former President)) ((2015))
“I always like to be with you. You ask some very good questions, and I enjoy being with you, thank you very much.”
((Jimmy Carter, Former President))
“Kane, it’s always good to be with you."
((Kane Farabaugh, VOA Correspondent))
“It’s good to be with you, too, President Carter.”
((NARRATOR))
Kane Farabaugh, VOA News, Chicago, Illinois.
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