elef Posted December 27, 2006 Report Share Posted December 27, 2006 The Nation Today Link Condolences pour in to US ex-president Ford's widow Washington - Condolences poured in early Wednesday to the widow of former US president Gerald Ford, describing the late leader as a man of character who entered the White House at a moment of great difficulty in US history. Ford became president in August 1974 after Richard Nixon resigned following the Watergate scandal. He died Tuesday at the age of 93, his office in Rancho Mirage, California, reported. President George W. Bush called Betty Ford to express his condolences soon after hearing the news, a White House spokesman said. Ford "assumed the presidency in an hour of national turmoil and division," Bush said in a statement. "With his quiet integrity, common sense, and kind instincts, president Ford helped heal our land and restore public confidence in the presidency." Bush is scheduled to make a statement about Ford's death Wednesday at 1300 GMT from his ranch in Crawford, Texas, where he is spending the holidays. Vice President Dick Cheney, who was chief of staff in Ford's White House, said in a statement that he was "deeply saddened" by the news. Ford "assumed the nation's highest office during the greatest constitutional crisis since the Civil War. In that troubled era, America needed strength, wisdom, and good judgment, and those qualities came to us in the person of Gerald R. Ford," Cheney wrote. By the time Ford left office in January 1977 "he had restored public trust in the presidency, and the nation once again looked to the future with confidence and faith," Cheney said. In California Nancy Reagan, widow of former president Ronald Reagan, said that Ford's "accomplishments and devotion to our country are vast, and even long after he left the presidency he made it a point to speak out on issues important to us all." California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said that the country "has lost a man whose integrity, strength of character and commitment to this nation distinguished him as one of our most selfless leaders." Ford "accepted the enormous responsibilities of the presidency during a dark hour in our history, fully knowing the daunting challenge he faced. "Ford, Nixon and Reagan were members of the Republican Party, as is the current president, Cheney and Schwarzenegger. Agence France Presse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bangkoktraveler Posted December 27, 2006 Report Share Posted December 27, 2006 Ford is the only person who became Vice President and then President of the USA without being elected to either position. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kojis Posted December 27, 2006 Report Share Posted December 27, 2006 Anything in common with the Ford T?? Kojis,speeding and speeding and back to court... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dddave Posted December 27, 2006 Report Share Posted December 27, 2006 Actually, I believe Ford did not become V.P. as there was no automatic up-grade from speaker of the house when Agnew resigned. He remained Speaker of the House though acknowledged as 1st in line for the presidency. One of the fascinating anecdotes is Col. Alexander Haig trying to assume control of the White House upon Nixons resignation, claiming that since Congress hadn't declared Ford V.P., that succession was ambiguous. There were some Generals who kind of liked the idea but Kissinger and Chenny ganged up on him and basicaly told him to go home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dddave Posted December 28, 2006 Report Share Posted December 28, 2006 DUHHH...should have checked my facts before posting; Gerald Ford did become VP in December of '73 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elef Posted December 28, 2006 Author Report Share Posted December 28, 2006 He was the first person appointed to the vice presidency under the terms of the 25th Amendment, and upon succession to the presidency, became the only person to hold that office without having been elected either president or vice president. Prior to becoming vice president, he served for over eight years as the Republican Minority Leader of the House of Representatives. wikipedia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted December 28, 2006 Report Share Posted December 28, 2006 Ford was an unassuming but very capable man. He knew when he issued a pardon for Nixon that he was probably defeating himself in the next election, but felt it was the right decision. Nowadays, it is regarded as correct, necessary and courageous, since it allowed the country to put Watergate and Nixon behind them and concentrate on the present and future. Wish we had somebody like Gerald Ford in the White House now, instead of Buffalo Bob. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThaiHome Posted December 28, 2006 Report Share Posted December 28, 2006 Actually, I believe Ford did not become V.P. as there was no automatic up-grade from speaker of the house when Agnew resigned. He remained Speaker of the House though acknowledged as 1st in line for the presidency. One of the fascinating anecdotes is Col. Alexander Haig trying to assume control of the White House upon Nixons resignation, claiming that since Congress hadn't declared Ford V.P., that succession was ambiguous. There were some Generals who kind of liked the idea but Kissinger and Chenny ganged up on him and basicaly told him to go home. Haig was Nixon's cheif of staff when he resigned, no succession rights at all. You are confusing this with when Regan got shot and Haig as Secretary of State and Bush out of country tried to claim authority. Hereâ??s a question, who was Ford's VP after he became president? (hint: ex-gov of NY and 1960 primary presidential candidate, defeated by Nixon) TH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elef Posted December 28, 2006 Author Report Share Posted December 28, 2006 NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gerald R. Ford, President of the United States, pursuant to the pardon power conferred upon me by Article II, Section 2, of the Constitution, have granted and by these presents do grant a full, free, and absolute pardon unto Richard Nixon for all offenses against the United States which he, Richard Nixon, has committed or may have committed or taken part in during the period from January 20, 1969 through August 9, 1974. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.. Posted December 28, 2006 Report Share Posted December 28, 2006 Nowadays, it is regarded as correct, necessary and courageous, since it allowed the country to put Watergate and Nixon behind them and concentrate on the present and future. I totally disagree with that. Ya see, the problem I have with that is it enforces the GOP belief that the President is above the law (unless his name is Clinton). They believed it then, and they believe it now. And today we have someone in office doing worse shit and will get away with it for the same bogus "reason." I give Ford some slack just because he's a hometown boy for me, but he's still worthless IMHO. And the American people agreed in 1976. Criminals need to be punished -- the higher profile they are, the more it needs to happen. Regards, SD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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