Jimmy Carter liberal wing of the Democratic Party, which he attributed to Ted Kennedy's ambition to replace him as president. After Kennedy announced his candidacy in November 1979, questions regarding the latter's activities during his presidential bid were a frequency of Carter's press conferences held during the Democratic presidential primary. Kennedy surprised his supporters by running a weak campaign, and Carter won most of the primaries and secured renomination. However, Kennedy had mobilized the liberal wing of the Democratic Party, which gave Carter weak support in the fall election. Carter and Vice President Mondale were formally nominated at the Democratic National Convention
USS Jimmy Carter allow her to keep station over selected targets in odd currents. Past submarines outfitted this way were used to tap undersea cables and to intercept communications of foreign countries. Intelligence experts speculate that the MMP may find use in similar missions as an underwater splicing chamber for optical fiber cables. On 19 November 2004 "Jimmy Carter" completed alpha sea trials, her first voyage in the open seas. On 22 December, Electric Boat delivered "Jimmy Carter" to the US Navy, and she was commissioned 19 February 2005 at NSB New London. "Jimmy Carter" began a transit from NSB New London to