After Watergate, the Nixon resignation and the Ford pardon, the Democrats could have elected a dead man in 1976. They almost did with the mediocre Carter. I like your assessment of the vindictive and petulant Carter as "the good guy".
He didn't do anything atrocious, which is what makes him one of the best IMO.
Also, he did these great things while president:
Reduced nuclear weapons
Created depts. of energy, education
Brokered Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty
put solar panels in White House
granted amnesty to those who fled the US to avoid Vietnam (aka draft dodgers)
deregulated many industries (airlines and beer, among them)
called for decriminalization of marijuana (IN 1979!)
He's absolute aces in my book. The complete and total opposite of that thing that occupies the White House currently. He is a shining example of a human.
Carter was an inept fool. I'd love to see Dep't of Ed & Energy dropped & his pardoning of draft dodgers was pathetic. He was far better as an ex President with Habitat for Humanity. The only President we've had who was worse was Obama.
Not Sure 