President Gerald R. Ford (1913-2006)
The 38th President of the United States, Gerald Rudolph Ford, passed away on Tuesday, December 26, 2006. He was 93.
Ford was, to date, the only person to have served as President without having been elected as President or Vice President. His path to the top of the executive branch was ushered by the resignations of Vice President Spiro Agnew and President Richard Nixon. Ford was confirmed as Vice President on December 6, 1973 and was sworn in as President on August 9, 1974. Ford then survived a strong challenge within the Republican ranks by Ronald Reagan and was the Republican nominee for the 1976 election. He was defeated in a close election by Democrat Jimmy Carter.
Prior to his tenure in the executive branch, Ford led a distinctive career in the House of Representatives. First elected in 1948, Ford went on to win 12 re-election campaigns and served as the House Minority Leader from 1965 until his tenure in the House ended with his confirmation as Vice President.
Ford also served in the US Naval Reserve during World War II and rose to the rank of Lieutenant Commander.
Ford's biography comes courtesy of C-SPAN.
Additional reading is provided by The New York Times (free login may be required).
Whether one agrees or disagrees with some of Ford's decisions during his tenure, including the pardon of Richard Nixon and his decision not to give financial assistance to New York City as the city government faced bankruptcy (though he later guaranteed loans to the city in exchange for fiscal restraint), there is little doubt that Ford is seen in a better light today than he was three decades ago. A large factor contributing to such views is his pardon of Nixon and how far his decision to keep the Nixon scandals out of lengthy legal battles helped the country heal itself and prevented the erosion of trust in the government.
The famous New York Daily News headline following Ford's decision regarding New York City.
Certainly, on balance, Ford performed admirably during a particularly crucial time in American history and American democracy. While people may argue what direction the United States would have taken had Ford not stumbled during the election and had defeated Carter in 1976, there does not seem to have been a better person capable of taking on the role of the presidency following Nixon. Additionally, and a point that should not be overlooked, Ford was one of the most honest politicians, certainly more honest than most of the politicians of today.
Hopefully, the remembrance of Ford's presidency and his legacy will inject a renewed commitment to integrity as we face Democratic control of Congress and the continuation of the Bush 43 presidency as well as the campaign ahead for 2008.
Rest in peace, Mr. President.
Ford was, to date, the only person to have served as President without having been elected as President or Vice President. His path to the top of the executive branch was ushered by the resignations of Vice President Spiro Agnew and President Richard Nixon. Ford was confirmed as Vice President on December 6, 1973 and was sworn in as President on August 9, 1974. Ford then survived a strong challenge within the Republican ranks by Ronald Reagan and was the Republican nominee for the 1976 election. He was defeated in a close election by Democrat Jimmy Carter.
Prior to his tenure in the executive branch, Ford led a distinctive career in the House of Representatives. First elected in 1948, Ford went on to win 12 re-election campaigns and served as the House Minority Leader from 1965 until his tenure in the House ended with his confirmation as Vice President.
Ford also served in the US Naval Reserve during World War II and rose to the rank of Lieutenant Commander.
Ford's biography comes courtesy of C-SPAN.
Additional reading is provided by The New York Times (free login may be required).
Whether one agrees or disagrees with some of Ford's decisions during his tenure, including the pardon of Richard Nixon and his decision not to give financial assistance to New York City as the city government faced bankruptcy (though he later guaranteed loans to the city in exchange for fiscal restraint), there is little doubt that Ford is seen in a better light today than he was three decades ago. A large factor contributing to such views is his pardon of Nixon and how far his decision to keep the Nixon scandals out of lengthy legal battles helped the country heal itself and prevented the erosion of trust in the government.
The famous New York Daily News headline following Ford's decision regarding New York City.
Certainly, on balance, Ford performed admirably during a particularly crucial time in American history and American democracy. While people may argue what direction the United States would have taken had Ford not stumbled during the election and had defeated Carter in 1976, there does not seem to have been a better person capable of taking on the role of the presidency following Nixon. Additionally, and a point that should not be overlooked, Ford was one of the most honest politicians, certainly more honest than most of the politicians of today.
Hopefully, the remembrance of Ford's presidency and his legacy will inject a renewed commitment to integrity as we face Democratic control of Congress and the continuation of the Bush 43 presidency as well as the campaign ahead for 2008.
Rest in peace, Mr. President.
Labels: Miscellaneous
posted by Will at 8:48 AM
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