Carter isn't miguided. He put his own desire for a legacy above the best interests of The Republic. Even at the expense of it.
Benedict Arnold did much the same.
Lots of people do lots of things everyday that may or may not be in the best interests of the republic. A traitor knows when he is selling out his brothers, and acts only in his own interest. There is a way to go before silliness and incompetence equal treason. When half the country are traitors, there is something wrong with the term.