December 27, 2006
Gerald R. Ford, Requiescat in Pace
Gerald Ford, the "Man Who Pardoned Nixon" and perhaps one of the more courageous Presidents because of that, knowing the vilification he would receive and doing it any way has died. He was 93.
I remember being dejected when it was discovered what a creep Spiro Agnew was and he resigned in disgrace. Then, a ray of hope. Nixon nominated Gerald R. Ford to be Vice President. The joke (promulgated by LBJ) was that Ford couldn't walk and chew gum at the same time. But America knew better, and knew that Ford was an honest man, a strong man, a real leader. Ford was approved by the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives on Dec. 6, 1973. Following Nixon's resignation, Ford assumed the Presidency and was sworn in as Nixon's plane headed westward.
The initial popularity of Ford soon nose dived one month later as he pardoned Nixon, a decision he stood by all these years. And, truth be known, was probably the right decision, but it was Ford's decision to make and no one elses. Ford believed he was saving the country from a criminal trial that would have had more focus than it really deserved. Ford standing up to the "powers that be" who wanted Nixon's head on a silver platter has to be a mark of political courage seldom seen and as the election of 1976 proved, would cost him.
Ford's decision to seek a second term in 1976 was not all that controversial, but being challenged for a second term by Ronald Reagan was. Reagan did not get the nomination, but he gave it one heck of a good shot and did get it in 1980. The struggle in the Republican party was matched by an equal struggle in the Democratic party and which saw a political unknown reach for the prize. Jimmy Carter got the Democratic nomination and beat Gerald Ford in the 1976 election. Carter ran as a "born again" christian, got a great deal of publicity from an interview in Playboy magazine, was perceived as "honest" and had a "tremendous" record as Governor of the State of Georgia, both of which are, to this individual false.
It should be obvious to anyone who can think their way out of a wet paper sack, that the better man did not win in 1976.
Gerald R. Ford, born July 14, 1913 died December 26, 2006. Requiescat in Pace
More Coverage at:
Right On The Right
Gribbit's Word
and Ms. Underestimated
at Hugh Hewitt and a round up at The Thunder Run
I remember how the liberals and press attacked Ford for pardoning Nixon, and it's so hypocritical today on the news when they (e.g., Helen Thomas) talk about how he healed the nation. They hated him then and now we're supposed to believe that they changed their minds since it's not nice to say bad things about the deceased on the day that they die. I don't think that I'll remember many of these liberals as being honest on their days of passing.
Posted by Woody at December 27, 2006 09:01 AM
It is funny how the press conveniently forgets how they treated someone. I was no fan of NIxon, et al but Ford was obviously a man of integrity. In addition to Johnson's comment already noted, there was the "he played too many football games without a helmet." jab.
At the time I questioned Ford's pardon of Nixon but in retrospect is was probably the best thing to do. I wonder if any present day politicians will learn any thing from that.
In 1976, I don't think any Republican could have won the presidency. It probably a blessing for Reagan and the country that Reagan didn't win the Republican nomination then. He may never have become president.
Posted by DADvocate at December 27, 2006 06:13 PM
As the nation prepares to lay President Ford to rest, prepare for the deluge of hypocrites seeking media attention. We saw the same when President Reagan was laid to rest.
Posted by Always On Watch at December 27, 2006 06:19 PM
I was a newly minted Jesus freak at the time of the 1976 election, and I remember the excitement we felt that a CHRISTIAN was running for president. One of Ford's sons was at Gordon-Conwell, a nearby evangelical seminary at the time. Near the very end of the campaign, we began to hear annoyed comments filtering up from the seminary, that Ford was a Christian gentleman, just not showy, and those who had met him and talked to him found him to be more sincere than Carter, who supposedly spoke their language.
Too late for me. I cynically decided it was all an election ploy and voted for Carter anyway. What a maroon.
Posted by Assistant Village Idiot at December 27, 2006 06:24 PM
AVI, don't feel bad, I voted for Clinton in '92; talk about being a Maroon!!!
I was ticked at Bush Pere for violating his no new taxes pledge and "believed" Clinton's promise of a middle class tax cut... Maroon personified!
As DADvocate noted, without a Carter Presidency, Ronnie Reagan probably wouldn't have been elected.
Posted by GM Roper at December 27, 2006 06:32 PM
Woody, seems I remember a lot of conservatives being upset at the Nixon pardon, also.
Posted by jim hitchcock at December 27, 2006 06:53 PM
Since today seems to be True Confessions Day, I guess I have to confess to having been a maroon too. But please enlighten me, what does it mean to be a maroon? And how does this differ from moron?
Posted by civil truth at December 28, 2006 12:38 AM
AH HA - GM knows his Latin! As per Nixon - Only a true leader would accept the fact that all of the embarrassment and lose of dignity at such a lofty level was ample punishment in Nixon's life long lose of public grace. The expense, the time, the divisions where enough for President Ford to make his hard choice and risk his own heritage.
Posted by chrys at December 28, 2006 12:38 AM
President Ford was a man of good character, and
he was alot smarter than those who tried to portray him as a bumbling dope.
There is a book out that chronicles the tragic loss of over 800 Sailors due to a typhoon that hit Ford's squadron during WW2.
Ford, then a LT in the Navy, was almost washed overboard by a wave.
I don't believe we would have the problems with Iran that we are having today if Ford would've won the '76 election, because he would have backed the Shah.
Admittedly conjecture on my part, but I have no doubt that Ford would never have caused the far-reaching disasters that Carter did.
Rest in peace, President Ford.
Posted by Ben USN (Ret) at December 28, 2006 06:55 AM
This post was a tribute to a good man, a worthy man who just died. It disgusts me that it has turned into a roundtable on the Iraq war. I am deleting all comments not related to Ford's presidency. Any more of this crap and I'll close comments on this post.
Comments are now closed!
Posted by GM Roper at December 28, 2006 02:38 PM
