"Plains, Georgia" Plains by skipbourque

Jimmy Carter, his younger brother Billy Carter, wife Rosalynn Carter, were all born in Plains. The former president and his wife still live there.

http://www.nps.gov/jica/

Billy Carter's Service Station Museum

Many Presidents have had brothers who were also in the limelight. Most notably, President Jack Kennedy, JFK, had two famous siblings, Bobby and Ted, who also chose political careers.

But arguably, the most entertaining presidential brother as one William Alton Carter III, otherwise known as Billy.

Jimmy Carter came from nowhere to become the Democratic presidential frontrunner in 1976. The press were intrigued by this Georgia peanut farmer who had captivated the public's interest so quickly and so thoroughly.

So small town Plains, Georgia suddenly became a haven for news crews from all of the networks, as well as many powerful print publications. They all wanted to know more about what made Jimmy Carter tick, especially his family.

They weren't disappointed. Among his relatives were many colorful characters, but surpassing them all was his baby brother, Billy Carter.

“Mother always believed — and she convinced the rest of us — that Billy was the most brilliant member of the family,” said Jimmy Carter, according to a past Associated Press report. “And I don’t think anybody would doubt that.”

Billy Carter died in 1988 of cancer.

From RoadsideAmerica.com: "Billy was the colorful kid brother of President Jimmy Carter. He would sit in a lawn chair outside of his gas station, usually with a beer in hand, voicing opinions about everything from the Middle East to Welfare. A special brand of Billy Beer was brewed and marketed, endorsed by the President’s bro. All this was extremely unhelpful to Jimmy, whose failure to get reelected in 1980 returned Billy to obscurity."

Campaign Headquarters (1976)

WASHINGTON — Former President Jimmy Carter says Americans could have had comprehensive health care coverage decades ago if Sen. Edward M. Kennedy hadn't blocked a plan Carter had proposed.

The Massachusetts senator unsuccessfully challenged Carter for the 1980 Democratic presidential nomination. Carter then lost to Republican Ronald Reagan.

Kennedy, who made health care reform a prized cause, died in August 2009 from brain cancer.

The disagreement over health care is noted in Carter's latest book, "White House Diary." According to a "60 Minutes" statement, Carter wrote at the time: "Kennedy continuing his irresponsible and abusive attitude, immediately condemning our health plan. He couldnt get five votes for his plan."

Kennedy and Carter had competing health care reform plans while Carter was president. Kennedy favored a more comprehensive approach that would have insured all Americans against health care costs regardless of age or income. Carter backed a more moderate proposal that would have been phased in over several years.

In his 2009 memoir, "True Compass," Kennedy blamed Carter for dragging his feet on health care and wrote that Carter viewed his health care efforts as a platform to challenge his presidency.

• In a nutshell:I campaigned with Ted Kennedy, I knew Ted Kennedy, Ted Kennedy was a mentor of mine. Jimmy Carter, you're no Ted Kennedy.