The recent passing of Eleanor Rosalynn Carter at age 96 provides a poignant opportunity to reflect on her husband Jimmy Carter’s single-term presidency and consider the similarities with the current situation facing the Albanese government, which is at risk of lasting only one term.

After narrowly defeating Republican incumbent Gerald Ford in the 1976 US election, Democratic Party nominee Jimmy Carter (former naval officer, state senator, businessman and governor) became the 39th US President on January 20, 1977.

His term was characterised by significant domestic and international challenges, including the Iran hostage crisis, the historic Camp David Accords, escalating inflation, and an energy crisis that deeply affected the nation. Despite his pioneering human rights and environmental policy achievements, his time as President was shaped by pressing economic concerns and self-inflicted wounds. One such wound being his infamous ‘malaise’ speech delivered from the White House on July 15, 1979.

Carter candidly addressed the American people about the nation’s deep-seated issues, including the energy crisis and economic struggles. His call for a renewal of community values and collective action aimed to inspire and unite the country.

While the speech initially boosted Carter’s poll ratings (up 11 points) his opponents (including fellow Democrat Senator Ted Kennedy) criticised him for demanding too much from Americans and failing to alleviate economic pressures on households.

Ronald Reagan, in his June 1980 acceptance speech for the Republican Party nomination, rejected Carter’s notion of an ‘economic malaise’ focusing instead on America’s potential. Reagan’s vision of leadership emphasising ‘Let’s make America great again’, resonated with voters, leading to his election as president and subsequent re-election in 1984. This shift resonated with the American people and put an end to Carter’s presidency.

The challenges facing Albanese and his government today mirror those encountered by the four Howard governments from 1996 to 2007. Howard’s leadership navigated a tumultuous era marked by significant crises, both domestically and internationally. These included the Port Arthur massacre in 1996, budgetary reforms initiated the same year, the Asian Financial Crisis in 1997, sending Australian troops to East Timor in 1999, the prolonged Millennium drought (spanning from 2001 to 2009), the collapse of HIH Insurance, Ansett Airlines and the global shock of the September 11 attacks in 2001, the Bali bombing in 2002, and the Northern Territory Indigenous intervention in 2007, to name a few.

Howard’s measured responses and sure-footedness showed that effective crisis management requires a blend of decisive action, political nous, and effective communication providing a blueprint for future leaders (not only in politics) in navigating challenges.

Governments must learn from managing crisis events by incorporating lessons into everyday practice. Leadership styles also differentiate leaders. Carter was often seen as an outsider in Washington, a trait that both helped and hindered his presidency. His approach was hands-on, sometimes to the detriment of his larger political goals. Albanese, on the other hand, has been part of the Australian political landscape for three decades, his style is more about consensus-building and pragmatic policymaking reflecting Bob Hawke’s approach to the prime ministership.

But this is where the similarity ends. Unlike Hawke who drove significant policy reform, Albanese is lurching from crisis to crisis and unable to convey a positive narrative about his government’s objectives. As he approaches a much-needed summer break, this period offers Albanese an opportunity to rejuvenate his government’s agenda in 2024.

Drawing inspiration from the film The American President, Albanese, known for his appreciation (and quoting) of the movie, could reflect on the words of Lewis Rothschild, portrayed by Michael J. Fox: ‘People want leadership, Mr. President, and in the absence of genuine leadership, they’ll listen to anyone who steps up to the microphone.’ Peter Dutton has a firm grip on the microphone and shows no signs of handing it back.

The looming possibility of a one-term Albanese government underscores the urgency of reassessing and revitalising his government’s agenda, drawing lessons from both past American and Australian political experiences. Should his government’s standing not improve by mid-2024, one of Albanese’s colleagues may be forced to draw on former Labor Minister Gareth Evans’ poignant advice to Bob Hawke: ‘Pull out, digger. The dogs are pissing on your swag.’

Andrew Blyth is a casual lecturer in ideals, power and politics at UNSW Canberra at the Australian Defence Force Academy and editor of The Art of Crisis Management: The Howard Government Experience, 1996-2007 (forthcoming).

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