Ruth's meeting with Lillian carter, the mother of then Democratic Presidential Nominee Jimmy Carter, was more than a chance encounter. Ruth was aware of Lillian’s love for the show All My Children and decided to call Lillian for an interview. The two became friends and Lillian invited Ruth to stay the weekend in Jimmy Carter's Georgia home town. In Georgia, Ruth met and befriended Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter. After her weekend with the family, Ruth pledged her allegiance to the Carter campaign.

 

Ruth used her fame to garner support for the Carters by traveling with them during their Campaign, as well as speaking to senior groups with Lillian Carter. In 1977, Carter was elected for president on the democratic ticket. The friends celebrated their success. Re-election, however, was a different story. Carter lost to Republican candidate Ronald Reagan in 1980. In a letter to Ruth dated January 5, 1981, President Carter acknowledged his loss to Ruth saying, “It’s obvious that if I had used your political advice earlier, I would have fared better in the election.” Despite the re-election loss, Ruth maintained her friendship with the Carters for the remainder of her life.