Early in the presidential election year of 1976, a frequent quip on Jimmy Carter's campaign trail was "Jimmy Who?" Yet by November, that sardonic question had been answered in an unexpected way. Not only had this obscure former Georgia governor had not only claimed the Democratic nomination, he had also won the presidency itself. For achieving that "political miracle," he received an unexpected bonus: in its January 3, 1977, issue, Time declared him its Man of the Year. The cover story noted that in keeping with his distaste for pomp, the president-elect intended to forgo the usual morning attire and limousine at his inauguration. Instead, he would wear a business suit and ride to the oath-taking in an unpretentious Ford. The blue-jeaned informality of Carter's Man of the Year cover portrait by Jamie Wyeth anticipated those departures from the formal traditions.
