The private jet pulled to stop. As the engines died, the door opened and allowed the hot, thick humidity to pour into the plane’s cabin. Former President Jimmy Carter blinked as his eyes adjusted to the bright noonday sun.
He was there to observe Hinds County elections. It was his biggest challenge to date. He had monitored more than 80 elections in Africa, Latin America, and Asia since 1989. This was the biggest mess he had ever seen.
He stepped into the black limo and roared toward the county courthouse. When Carter walked into the room, he saw a room full of paper ballot tape, people with shoes off counting on their toes, a sheriff’s candidate giving a victory speech in the corner and voting machines disassembled. He stopped, stood in disbelieve and felt his jaw drop.
This was going to be harder than he thought. All the King’s horses and all the King’s men had an easier time trying to put Humpty back together again.