For years he was derided as a weak leader.

But it was the big German-style market that brought the crowds in, regardless of the many local critics who derided the corny music and "over-priced bratwurst" on social media.

Today many on the right still deride the Carter years but as the decades passed, his humanitarian efforts and simple lifestyle began to shape a new legacy for many Americans.

They may have a slim majority over the Democrats in the House and Senate, but the recent budget battle shows they can’t do anything without the Democrats whom they continually mock and deride.

There are millions of Californians — politically outnumbered, geographically far-flung — who have long felt derided or ignored by Sacramento.