We're going to talk in just a few moments about the changing of a president here and how we go from where we currently are to the next president in just a few days. And before we do that, though, we wanted to look back, though, right, Bridget?

We're going to talk in just a few moments about the changing of a president here and how we go from where we currently are to the next president in just a few days. And before we do that, though, we wanted to look back, though, right, Bridget?

We did, especially as we think about the remains of the former president, Jimmy Carter, arriving in Washington, D.C., today to lie in state at the U.S. Capitol. We thought we would take a look back and just remember his legacy. Doctor Mark, Caleb Smith, first of all, happy New Year. Thank you so much for joining us. And obviously, as a political scientist, you must have been paying close attention to just the way we, the nation, has been covering and just remembering Jimmy Carter.

We did, especially as we think about the remains of the former president, Jimmy Carter, arriving in Washington, D.C., today to lie in state at the U.S. Capitol. We thought we would take a look back and just remember his legacy. Doctor Mark, Caleb Smith, first of all, happy New Year. Thank you so much for joining us. And obviously, as a political scientist, you must have been paying close attention to just the way we, the nation, has been covering and just remembering Jimmy Carter.

Yeah, I mean, Carter has a pretty interesting place in our history. And I think in our, in our culture, um, our oldest surviving president and also probably our most active ex-president. And so I think an interesting legacy, one worth reflecting on. And as someone who's a believer. Um, also interesting because Carter took his faith so seriously, and I think leaves a lot to to discuss and consider. You know, as a person, as a Christian as well. Yeah.

Yeah, I mean, Carter has a pretty interesting place in our history. And I think in our, in our culture, um, our oldest surviving president and also probably our most active ex-president. And so I think an interesting legacy, one worth reflecting on. And as someone who's a believer. Um, also interesting because Carter took his faith so seriously, and I think leaves a lot to to discuss and consider. You know, as a person, as a Christian as well. Yeah.

When it comes to how you look at him, though, you kind of mentioned it. We almost know him more for what he has done since he was president than what he did as president, don't we?

When it comes to how you look at him, though, you kind of mentioned it. We almost know him more for what he has done since he was president than what he did as president, don't we?

Yeah. I mean, there are different models for how you approach life after the presidency. One of the things that's interesting of Carter, I think, is he was relatively young when he was out of the presidency. And so, you know, it isn't like someone like Joe Biden or Donald Trump or even Ronald Reagan. You know, he stepped away from the presidency near the end of their lives. But Carter was still a middle aged man and out of office and had to decide what to do. And, you know, I think a lot of ex-presidents sort of go the let's make a lot of money route. You know, let's sit on a lot of corporate boards, let's do a lot of speaking gigs, let's publish a lot of books and do things to sort of rake in some of the benefits from being an ex-president. Carter certainly didn't take that approach. He threw himself really into philanthropy and most famously, with habitat for humanity and and really tried to just shape his life around service for the most part. And, you know, controversial in some ways. He's very active diplomatically, uh, sort of a rogue free agent diplomat in some ways, which wasn't always welcome by the United States, but, um, but no, I think an interesting post-presidential life and I think you're right now, we probably think of him more for that. Um, and I think that speaks well of him, frankly.

Yeah. I mean, there are different models for how you approach life after the presidency. One of the things that's interesting of Carter, I think, is he was relatively young when he was out of the presidency. And so, you know, it isn't like someone like Joe Biden or Donald Trump or even Ronald Reagan. You know, he stepped away from the presidency near the end of their lives. But Carter was still a middle aged man and out of office and had to decide what to do. And, you know, I think a lot of ex-presidents sort of go the let's make a lot of money route. You know, let's sit on a lot of corporate boards, let's do a lot of speaking gigs, let's publish a lot of books and do things to sort of rake in some of the benefits from being an ex-president. Carter certainly didn't take that approach. He threw himself really into philanthropy and most famously, with habitat for humanity and and really tried to just shape his life around service for the most part. And, you know, controversial in some ways. He's very active diplomatically, uh, sort of a rogue free agent diplomat in some ways, which wasn't always welcome by the United States, but, um, but no, I think an interesting post-presidential life and I think you're right now, we probably think of him more for that. Um, and I think that speaks well of him, frankly.

It really does. And I think what stuck out to me the most is just the fact that he taught Sunday school every Sunday for so many years. I mean, that's just remarkable.

It really does. And I think what stuck out to me the most is just the fact that he taught Sunday school every Sunday for so many years. I mean, that's just remarkable.

Yeah, he started teaching Sunday school when he was in high school, and I really just never stopped. And so even when he was in the military, um, and as public official and as a former president as well, just continued to teach regularly. And it was it was his identity. You know, I think there are a fair number of politicians who claim to be a believer of some sort. And it's often, you know, maybe it's political cover, maybe it's just sort of a tradition. But I think with Carter, it really was who he was. And I think you see that reflected in how he lived his life. And so teaching Sunday school is one of the ways that he sort of manifested his responsibilities, I think, and his duties as a believer, and obviously took it very seriously up until he was really unable to teach anymore, which was relatively recently.

Yeah, he started teaching Sunday school when he was in high school, and I really just never stopped. And so even when he was in the military, um, and as public official and as a former president as well, just continued to teach regularly. And it was it was his identity. You know, I think there are a fair number of politicians who claim to be a believer of some sort. And it's often, you know, maybe it's political cover, maybe it's just sort of a tradition. But I think with Carter, it really was who he was. And I think you see that reflected in how he lived his life. And so teaching Sunday school is one of the ways that he sort of manifested his responsibilities, I think, and his duties as a believer, and obviously took it very seriously up until he was really unable to teach anymore, which was relatively recently.

And you are listening to mornings with Eric and Bridget right here on Moody Radio.

And you are listening to mornings with Eric and Bridget right here on Moody Radio.

89.3 Necessary Endings. It's a book by Henry Cloud, a very popular one. I don't know if you've ever read it, but it's a good one when it talks about endings that you choose right now. This one that we maybe didn't personally, but as a country, we chose to end one and now start a new presidency here, coming up on January 20th, just days away. So we thought we'd reflect upon that with doctor Mark Caleb Smith. It's just interesting that every four years we go through this process. In fact, yesterday was a pretty big marker in just the what's going to be happening here on January 20th.

89.3 Necessary Endings. It's a book by Henry Cloud, a very popular one. I don't know if you've ever read it, but it's a good one when it talks about endings that you choose right now. This one that we maybe didn't personally, but as a country, we chose to end one and now start a new presidency here, coming up on January 20th, just days away. So we thought we'd reflect upon that with doctor Mark Caleb Smith. It's just interesting that every four years we go through this process. In fact, yesterday was a pretty big marker in just the what's going to be happening here on January 20th.

Yesterday was a big day. Obviously, we officially certified the presidential election, which is generally a formality, but obviously it's been a little more contentious, certainly in 2021. And so it's a transition that's begun. We're now on sort of the countdown until inauguration as President Biden's term winds down and then incoming President Trump's term will begin. And, you know, it's been interesting. I think President Biden has really been out of the spotlight since he wasn't a candidate in November and really has pulled back in his public appearances pretty dramatically, really, more than any other president that I can remember. And so in some ways, it's felt like we've been kind of without a president, honestly, for several months, even though he's there, there are people around him. But it's really been a very, very low profile. And so I think having Mr. Trump start a new term will certainly bring a different vision and a different approach to the presidency. No question.

Yesterday was a big day. Obviously, we officially certified the presidential election, which is generally a formality, but obviously it's been a little more contentious, certainly in 2021. And so it's a transition that's begun. We're now on sort of the countdown until inauguration as President Biden's term winds down and then incoming President Trump's term will begin. And, you know, it's been interesting. I think President Biden has really been out of the spotlight since he wasn't a candidate in November and really has pulled back in his public appearances pretty dramatically, really, more than any other president that I can remember. And so in some ways, it's felt like we've been kind of without a president, honestly, for several months, even though he's there, there are people around him. But it's really been a very, very low profile. And so I think having Mr. Trump start a new term will certainly bring a different vision and a different approach to the presidency. No question.

He almost it almost appears like the presidency became his as soon as he won, which was weird because he started making policy statements. The other thing that was kind of strange is, like you said, he, we haven't seen President Biden all that much, and he's been out of it. And it it's in my mind, it's like, okay, this kind of shows the power of what the founders created, the fact that we're still stable as a nation, as a people. It just really shows the what the founders created, doesn't it?

He almost it almost appears like the presidency became his as soon as he won, which was weird because he started making policy statements. The other thing that was kind of strange is, like you said, he, we haven't seen President Biden all that much, and he's been out of it. And it it's in my mind, it's like, okay, this kind of shows the power of what the founders created, the fact that we're still stable as a nation, as a people. It just really shows the what the founders created, doesn't it?

Yeah, I think that it does. I think it also reflects that the presidency is sort of an interesting branch of government. You know, in a lot of ways it's one person president has a lot of power in and of himself to do particular things. But in another way, it's an entire branch of government with, um, you know, millions of employees. If we want to count military members who work for the federal government and who have responsibilities and obligations that are well outside the president's everyday activities, and so obviously, all that branch is still functioning no matter what that person at the top may or may not be doing. And so yeah, there's always that interesting tension, I think, at work there with President Biden though, you know, I think we should always try to be sensitive about these things. But I think you could argue over the last year plus. I mean, he's really struggled, I think, to carry out the public responsibilities of the presidency. Um, we don't really have a good sense of what's going on privately, I don't think. But, um, yeah, I think it's been a I think historians will have a lot of, I think, interesting analysis to do, and maybe we'll have some things come out sooner rather than later about what the last year or two has been like within the Biden White House.

Yeah, I think that it does. I think it also reflects that the presidency is sort of an interesting branch of government. You know, in a lot of ways it's one person president has a lot of power in and of himself to do particular things. But in another way, it's an entire branch of government with, um, you know, millions of employees. If we want to count military members who work for the federal government and who have responsibilities and obligations that are well outside the president's everyday activities, and so obviously, all that branch is still functioning no matter what that person at the top may or may not be doing. And so yeah, there's always that interesting tension, I think, at work there with President Biden though, you know, I think we should always try to be sensitive about these things. But I think you could argue over the last year plus. I mean, he's really struggled, I think, to carry out the public responsibilities of the presidency. Um, we don't really have a good sense of what's going on privately, I don't think. But, um, yeah, I think it's been a I think historians will have a lot of, I think, interesting analysis to do, and maybe we'll have some things come out sooner rather than later about what the last year or two has been like within the Biden White House.

Well, with every new presidency, there's always intrigue about what will the first 100 days be like. And of course, there's already been a lot of discussion. So what can you, I guess, forecast based on what we know so far about what to expect.

Well, with every new presidency, there's always intrigue about what will the first 100 days be like. And of course, there's already been a lot of discussion. So what can you, I guess, forecast based on what we know so far about what to expect.

Yeah, I think President Trump has an interesting, um, set of issues to deal with for sure. Those first 100 days are critical because generally, uh, you know, it's an artificial marker. There's no magical calendar spot where we say there's this 100 day mark, but it's just sort of a good rule of thumb. I think the president's at his most popular during that first chunk of his first term of his term in office. Um, he's most likely to get big legislative items kind of off the ground to some extent. And so that's when the president's power is probably at its peak. And so it's a good time for the president to sort of use all those resources to get as much done as possible. Um, President Trump, I think, is going to have some rocky things with his cabinet appointments potentially. There's been a lot of controversy about some of his selections. Those will have to get done. But he also has a pretty aggressive legislative agenda that he's considering, um, perpetuating tax cuts that were put in place in his first term of office will certainly be near the top of the list. Immigration reform of the immigration process that we have in our country is one of his priorities as well. But this is going to be really difficult. I mean, like I said, he's at his most powerful right now, but he's also walking into a situation where Congress is really narrowly, closely divided. Even the Republicans control the House and the Senate. The majorities are really small, and it's going to limit a lot of what I think they can get done legislatively.

Yeah, I think President Trump has an interesting, um, set of issues to deal with for sure. Those first 100 days are critical because generally, uh, you know, it's an artificial marker. There's no magical calendar spot where we say there's this 100 day mark, but it's just sort of a good rule of thumb. I think the president's at his most popular during that first chunk of his first term of his term in office. Um, he's most likely to get big legislative items kind of off the ground to some extent. And so that's when the president's power is probably at its peak. And so it's a good time for the president to sort of use all those resources to get as much done as possible. Um, President Trump, I think, is going to have some rocky things with his cabinet appointments potentially. There's been a lot of controversy about some of his selections. Those will have to get done. But he also has a pretty aggressive legislative agenda that he's considering, um, perpetuating tax cuts that were put in place in his first term of office will certainly be near the top of the list. Immigration reform of the immigration process that we have in our country is one of his priorities as well. But this is going to be really difficult. I mean, like I said, he's at his most powerful right now, but he's also walking into a situation where Congress is really narrowly, closely divided. Even the Republicans control the House and the Senate. The majorities are really small, and it's going to limit a lot of what I think they can get done legislatively.

I've heard 100 days is too long, though. I mean, in our microwave society, people want.

I've heard 100 days is too long, though. I mean, in our microwave society, people want.

Change now.

Change now.

People want change. Yeah. I mean, that's they're there. We're not going to wait 100 days, is what I've heard from some.

People want change. Yeah. I mean, that's they're there. We're not going to wait 100 days, is what I've heard from some.

Well, I think that that's going to be kind of the mentality. And there's a lot of controversy argument within the Republicans right now about whether to try to attack something with one big bill and try to get a lot of major things done in one piece of legislation. If that happens, that's going to be a many months process. That's not going to take place in a few weeks, for sure. If they go through smaller, more bills, more legislation. And I think they do have a chance to get some things done relatively quickly. But people may want to get something done fast. That doesn't mean you're going to find agreement to get it done fast. And so within the House, for example, the Republicans right now, what are they at 219? I think Republicans and it's a 218 seat majority. So they really only have one vote to spare when they're trying to get something done in the House of Representatives. And the divisions within the party are such that that's going to be really difficult to do with something big like immigration.

Well, I think that that's going to be kind of the mentality. And there's a lot of controversy argument within the Republicans right now about whether to try to attack something with one big bill and try to get a lot of major things done in one piece of legislation. If that happens, that's going to be a many months process. That's not going to take place in a few weeks, for sure. If they go through smaller, more bills, more legislation. And I think they do have a chance to get some things done relatively quickly. But people may want to get something done fast. That doesn't mean you're going to find agreement to get it done fast. And so within the House, for example, the Republicans right now, what are they at 219? I think Republicans and it's a 218 seat majority. So they really only have one vote to spare when they're trying to get something done in the House of Representatives. And the divisions within the party are such that that's going to be really difficult to do with something big like immigration.

Can I ask you a classroom question real quick? If I was in your class, I'd raise my hand and go, why do we have all these things in the bills? Can we have a bill? That's just a bill. Can we create something where we only cover one thing in one bill?

Can I ask you a classroom question real quick? If I was in your class, I'd raise my hand and go, why do we have all these things in the bills? Can we have a bill? That's just a bill. Can we create something where we only cover one thing in one bill?

Yeah, I'm with you. You know, I think that we probably should have some rules in place that limit the kinds of things they can do in legislation. The problem is, is our Congress is so weirdly divided at the moment and so polarized Theorized that they can really only get things done in these very unusual, weird circumstances, like a debt ceiling fight, which we're going to have another one coming up, or like one big piece of legislation where everybody gets to barter back and forth and throw everything that you want into it in the kitchen sink. Put all of your political capital on the line just to get that one thing done. Um, that's kind of where they are at the moment. And, you know, this this isn't a lecture, obviously, but Congress is a little broken right now, I think. I think most people in Congress would say that it's broken right now. They're not really doing the job of traditional legislators. When we talk about legislation, Mike Johnson and Chuck Schumer, um, and John Thune and Hakeem Jeffries are going to sit in a room and hash over some things. A bill will come out of that eventually, and then people just get to vote on it. That's really not the way that it's designed to work. The committees aren't really functioning the way they're supposed to. Members of Congress are doing podcasts and things like that instead of worrying about legislation. And so it's just kind of broken at the moment. If the Republicans could push all that stuff back down and tell members of Congress, hey, you know, why don't you just get to work on this stuff in your committees? I think it'd work a lot better, but that's not where we are right now.

Yeah, I'm with you. You know, I think that we probably should have some rules in place that limit the kinds of things they can do in legislation. The problem is, is our Congress is so weirdly divided at the moment and so polarized Theorized that they can really only get things done in these very unusual, weird circumstances, like a debt ceiling fight, which we're going to have another one coming up, or like one big piece of legislation where everybody gets to barter back and forth and throw everything that you want into it in the kitchen sink. Put all of your political capital on the line just to get that one thing done. Um, that's kind of where they are at the moment. And, you know, this this isn't a lecture, obviously, but Congress is a little broken right now, I think. I think most people in Congress would say that it's broken right now. They're not really doing the job of traditional legislators. When we talk about legislation, Mike Johnson and Chuck Schumer, um, and John Thune and Hakeem Jeffries are going to sit in a room and hash over some things. A bill will come out of that eventually, and then people just get to vote on it. That's really not the way that it's designed to work. The committees aren't really functioning the way they're supposed to. Members of Congress are doing podcasts and things like that instead of worrying about legislation. And so it's just kind of broken at the moment. If the Republicans could push all that stuff back down and tell members of Congress, hey, you know, why don't you just get to work on this stuff in your committees? I think it'd work a lot better, but that's not where we are right now.

We are talking with doctor Mark, Caleb Smith, who's a political scientist, but comes at it from the perspective of a believer. So so what is our responsibility here in this, you know, time of change in our nation?

We are talking with doctor Mark, Caleb Smith, who's a political scientist, but comes at it from the perspective of a believer. So so what is our responsibility here in this, you know, time of change in our nation?

You know, I think our number one priority as Christians always pray for the government, pray for our leaders, pray for God's blessing upon them, um, because they they occupy incredibly important positions. And it's a very, very difficult job. And I know it's easy to be cynical about government. And when it doesn't work well, it's easy to sort of throw up our hands and just say, I'm done with it. But, um, very difficult jobs with a lot of responsibility. And so we should pray for them and pray that God really works in their lives, um, so that our country can reflect that.

You know, I think our number one priority as Christians always pray for the government, pray for our leaders, pray for God's blessing upon them, um, because they they occupy incredibly important positions. And it's a very, very difficult job. And I know it's easy to be cynical about government. And when it doesn't work well, it's easy to sort of throw up our hands and just say, I'm done with it. But, um, very difficult jobs with a lot of responsibility. And so we should pray for them and pray that God really works in their lives, um, so that our country can reflect that.

You know, we've looked at two branches of government. There is a third, though. What about the judicial? What's happening there?

You know, we've looked at two branches of government. There is a third, though. What about the judicial? What's happening there?

Well, the judiciary is still the Supreme Court is still a pretty heavily Republican, if we want to think of it in those terms. It's a 6 to 3 conservative Republican sort of majority that has its own set of divisions within it. That's probably the most sort of stable branch of the government that's by design. But it's also right now the most stable branch, not nearly as polarized, certainly divided in its own way, not nearly as polarized. Um, I think it's going to be interesting to see how the court responds to some of the things coming up in the Trump presidency. People think they can just kind of predict what the court might do because of that pretty heavy conservative majority. I'm not sure that's quite fair. So but they're just sort of sitting, waiting for some other things to happen. And of course, they have their own set of things. They've been working through a little bit more out of the spotlight, which is usually fine with them.

Well, the judiciary is still the Supreme Court is still a pretty heavily Republican, if we want to think of it in those terms. It's a 6 to 3 conservative Republican sort of majority that has its own set of divisions within it. That's probably the most sort of stable branch of the government that's by design. But it's also right now the most stable branch, not nearly as polarized, certainly divided in its own way, not nearly as polarized. Um, I think it's going to be interesting to see how the court responds to some of the things coming up in the Trump presidency. People think they can just kind of predict what the court might do because of that pretty heavy conservative majority. I'm not sure that's quite fair. So but they're just sort of sitting, waiting for some other things to happen. And of course, they have their own set of things. They've been working through a little bit more out of the spotlight, which is usually fine with them.

So anything that you're looking for in the inauguration, you know, that whole day. So, you know, full of history and full of tradition and, um, anything that that you're going to be watching out for that maybe you are expecting.

So anything that you're looking for in the inauguration, you know, that whole day. So, you know, full of history and full of tradition and, um, anything that that you're going to be watching out for that maybe you are expecting.

Uh, I know for me, I'm going to be paying attention to President Trump's tone. If you look back at his first inauguration, it was a pretty dark tone overall. Um, you know, sort of portraying America as in crisis and in need of severe change. And I think if he carries that tone through this inauguration, it might suggest how his term of office might go. And so how dramatic of a reform does he try to push for? And what kinds of things does he really prioritize? You know, I think with Mr. Trump, there's always this kind of division between his rhetoric on the one hand and his actions on the other hand. And so I think looking at his rhetoric here will be interesting. Um, but I mean, in some in other ways, this is just a speech. And what they actually do in office is probably, at the end of the day, much more important.

Uh, I know for me, I'm going to be paying attention to President Trump's tone. If you look back at his first inauguration, it was a pretty dark tone overall. Um, you know, sort of portraying America as in crisis and in need of severe change. And I think if he carries that tone through this inauguration, it might suggest how his term of office might go. And so how dramatic of a reform does he try to push for? And what kinds of things does he really prioritize? You know, I think with Mr. Trump, there's always this kind of division between his rhetoric on the one hand and his actions on the other hand. And so I think looking at his rhetoric here will be interesting. Um, but I mean, in some in other ways, this is just a speech. And what they actually do in office is probably, at the end of the day, much more important.

And don't you think another thing to pray for are those who surround the leader. I think that's very influential and very critical as well.

And don't you think another thing to pray for are those who surround the leader. I think that's very influential and very critical as well.

Yeah. And there's no question, I think, especially with someone like Mr. Trump. Um, I don't think he has a really strong set of opinions about most policies. I think he has some strong core beliefs, but he doesn't really have a lot of concerns about most policies, which means the people he's choosing for his cabinet positions and those who advise him are really critical for him and are going to really carry out a vision of some sort. Um, and so, yeah, I think those people are important. And that's why I think the cabinet fights that are coming up will probably be important for the future of the, of this administration, but certainly we should hope that those folks are also, um, good public servants and we should pray for them as well.

Yeah. And there's no question, I think, especially with someone like Mr. Trump. Um, I don't think he has a really strong set of opinions about most policies. I think he has some strong core beliefs, but he doesn't really have a lot of concerns about most policies, which means the people he's choosing for his cabinet positions and those who advise him are really critical for him and are going to really carry out a vision of some sort. Um, and so, yeah, I think those people are important. And that's why I think the cabinet fights that are coming up will probably be important for the future of the, of this administration, but certainly we should hope that those folks are also, um, good public servants and we should pray for them as well.

The art of the deal really is the presidency right now, isn't it? Isn't that doesn't that book?

The art of the deal really is the presidency right now, isn't it? Isn't that doesn't that book?

Yeah, I think it is. And I think that's kind of how Trump approaches it. And I think you could see some strengths with that. But I think you can also see some weaknesses as well. And so but it's who he is. You know he's not going to change at this point in his life. And um, and he's going to leave his footprint on our politics.

Yeah, I think it is. And I think that's kind of how Trump approaches it. And I think you could see some strengths with that. But I think you can also see some weaknesses as well. And so but it's who he is. You know he's not going to change at this point in his life. And um, and he's going to leave his footprint on our politics.

Yeah. Well, that's why we continue to pray, pray, pray. Right. Mark, thank you so much for your time.

Yeah. Well, that's why we continue to pray, pray, pray. Right. Mark, thank you so much for your time.

It's always a pleasure.

It's always a pleasure.