As far as I know Carter was president from 77-81. I would have to think that it was his economic policy that can be attributed to the high interest rates. I don’t think that I am stretching to say that there is an economic lag time of a year.

Historical Mortgage Rates
1979, 11.19
1980, 13.77
1981, 16.63
1982, 16.08
1983, 13.23
1984, 13.87
1985, 12.42
1986, 10.18
1987, 10.20
1988, 10.34
1989, 10.32
1990, 10.13