Since he was the first and last Democrat I ever voted for, at age 19, I'll try to answer that.
Gerald Ford was not a strong candidate because he was tainted by being VP for a corrupt Nixon, and for pardoning him. In addition, Ford was portrayed as a clumsy, bumbling fool by the media. Any time he tripped going down a stairs, or hit a golf ball into the gallery, the media was all over it. Meanwhile, smiling Jimmah was portrayed as a cool, hip guy who would wash away the Watergate legacy.
Looking back, I know I was a media dupe to vote for Carter, because while I don't think Ford would have been a great President, he certainly would have done better than Carter. Carter was a failure, blaming the People for "malaise", instead of taking personal responsibility.
Bah.
Carter, the appeasing, abortion-supporting "Christian", who never met a communist dictator or other despot he didn't like....and nothing has changed.
Ronald Reagan was a breath of fresh air, after 4 depressing years of Jimmah.
How in the hell did Jimmy Carter win in the first place?
I don't know. I was only six years old when the pinheaded peanut was in office.
Carter was actually a good governor when he ran Georgia. He reorganized the state departments, cut spending, and was overall a decent guy. Plus he served in the military.
I don't know what happened when he went to Washington, though.
Because Ford was a bumbling, idiot fool, that's why. With his Chevy Chase antics and his stupid pardon of Nixon he pretty much dug his own grave, while Carter portrayed hiimself as the outsider who'll save Washington.
And I'll never forget the way the GOP cart-blocked Reagan in 1976 in favor of a Ford/Dole ticket. Had Reagan won in 1976, we wouldn't be having these Islamic thugs running around killing people, and our economy back then would have been stronger. Hell, we probably wouldn't even had disco.
I sat crying in the middle of my bed, asking the same question, when he won.
Unfortunately, the country was ready for "change" after Watergate. Ford was a bumbling fool way back then, but was still the better choice.
These days, both ford and peanutbilly are both disgraces as former presidents. Both should just shut up and go away.
Because the Nixon Pardon infuriated many of us. I reluctantly admit to voting for Jimmah Peanut Caaatah because of it.