President-Elect Jimmy Carter Quells Initial Dislike from White House Photographer
David Hume Kennerly, the chief official White House photographer for President Gerald Ford, initially disliked Jimmy Carter during the 1976 presidential campaign. Kennerly was assigned to photograph Ford, who was struggling in the polls, and was unimpressed by Carter’s newfound presidential bid. During a debate, Kennerly remembers Carter’s signature toothy grin, which rubbed him the wrong way.
However, Kennerly’s opinion of Carter changed over time, largely due to Ford’s conduct during the transition period. Ford remained gracious and friendly to Carter, even allowing him to tour the Oval Office. This display of bipartisanship had a profound impact on Kennerly.
As Kennerly continued to work, he covered significant events, including Carter’s inauguration, and eventually gained a deeper appreciation for his subject. He even went on to capture iconic images of the president, such as a shot of Carter and Ford shaking hands in the Oval Office.
Kennerly’s career as a White House photographer spanned several decades, earning him a Pulitzer Prize in 1972 for his Vietnam War coverage. He reflected on the evolution of the position, noting the increased volume of photographs released due to social media. Despite this, Kennerly emphasized the mission of documenting the presidency’s history has remained unchanged.
After Carter’s passing, Kennerly revisited his archive and was impressed by the number of great shots he had captured of the former president. The two men crossed paths many times, with Carter always being kind and respectful, even when he could be “prickly” or dismissive of those he didn’t know.
Carter and Ford’s relationship grew over the years as they worked together on various issues and supported each other’s presidential libraries. Their friendship serves as an example of how political rivals can become true friends, and Kennerly believes it is a valuable lesson for the present day.
Gerald Ford was always an inspiration to Kennerly, demonstrating how one should treat people and make decisions. For Kennerly, Jimmy Carter is a testament to a similar sense of integrity and kindness.
