Inside The Cathedral: Jimmy Carter’s Funeral Brings D.C. Together To Remember A “Bygone Era”, And To Be Reminded Of A Donald Trump Future

deadline.com:

When Joe Biden eulogized Jimmy Carter in the majestic surroundings of Washington National Cathedral on Thursday, he said of his predecessor, “Many think he was from a bygone era, but he saw into the future.” As other speakers noted, Carter was prescient on a host of issues including climate change and women’s rights, but inside the cathedral were reminders that when it comes to politics, the future looks much different than the late president probably could have ever envisioned it.

Carter’s adviser Stuart Eizenstat noted that much of Carter’s agenda passed with bipartisan support in the 1970s; at the cathedral today, in the area reserved for members of Congress, there were only a handful of Republicans.

Many seats were empty. Steve Ford read the eulogy that his father, President Gerald Ford, had written for his one-time rival, whom he called “old friend.” At the service, Donald Trump chatted a bit with Barack Obama, sitting next to him, but his three presidential political rivals, Kamala Harris, Biden and Hillary Clinton, largely ignored him.

Biden’s remarks pointedly focused on “character,” as he asked, “What are the values that animate our spirit? To operate from fear or hope, ego or generosity?” Within hours, Trump’s transition team blasted out an Axios story headlined, “Behind the curtain: Trump’s ever expansive power.” It was a reminder that soon not just the party in power will change, but the tone of the town will, too.