2006-12-27 02:05:49 · 11 answers · asked by osunumberonefan 5 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
Holding the country together in tough times.
The pardon was VERY unpopular, but in retrospect it was probably better than a drawn out trial - the country was in economic trouble and it was during the cold war. And while many feel Nixon escaped justice by staying out of jail, his grave misdeeds will be well known by all humankind, for all of history. That sounds like a pretty sufficient judgment to me - I wouldn't want my worst moments to be publicized like that.
America was really at a low ebb. Vietnam, Watergate, Stagflation, gas lines. Ford was not a visionary or a particularly dynamic leader - how could he be, when he hadn't even wanted the job? But he was generally deemed honest and competent, even if just barely so by some. After Nixon, anything would be better, and he seemed to restore dignity to the office. I remember he vetoed a lot of bills, so I suppose he actively battled congress over certain issues.
Maybe he was a caretaker, and not one of the greats. He himself said "I'm a Ford, not a Lincoln." But he seemed to give us what we needed. No Republican was going to win in 1976, and Ford made blunders in the debates. But he came very close to winning! Maybe in retrospect he would have been much better than Carter.
I also remember that there did not seem to be the vicious hatred that there was against Nixon, Clinton, Bush 43 and (to a degree) Carter and Reagan. In these days, having a president who is not absolutely hated by a large segment of the population seems like a plus!
There were some lighthearted White House moments too, like when the Queen visited and one of Ford's kids was running around half-dressed before a dinner and accidentally ran into her. We also had the Bicentennial celebration, which was a nice national pick-me-up. The Ford family seemed like decent people, and were a nice relief from the Johnson and Nixon years.
2006-12-27 02:16:04 · answer #1 · answered by American citizen and taxpayer 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
He brought a sense of calm and a sense of humility to the office when it needed it most. He didn't accomplish too much while he was in office, but he was able to laugh at himself.
As far as integrity is copncerned, remember Ford was a career politician and a member of the Warren Commission. Let's not make him out to be saint just because he died.
2006-12-27 03:17:12 · answer #2 · answered by ulbud k 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
bringing this country together after the nixon deal
pardoning nixon -- even though it most likely cost him a second term
being a respected ex president, not mouthing off at administrations that followed his (like Carter does on a daily basis)
God bless President Ford
2006-12-27 02:15:53 · answer #3 · answered by curious_One 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Filling in the gap for Nixon. He was only president for 2 years, not much canget accomplished in that time.
2006-12-27 02:07:19 · answer #4 · answered by hichefheidi 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
ending Watergate Scandal
2006-12-27 14:02:05 · answer #5 · answered by Britt_09 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He provided the people of the United States the opportunity to overcome the black eye given by Nixon!!
2006-12-27 02:11:05 · answer #6 · answered by The Real Bill Clinton 1 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I will always remember him as the president that wouldn't let Nixon pay for his crimes.
2006-12-27 02:32:04 · answer #7 · answered by LucySD 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He brought the divided american nation back in one nation . In my opinion , he could be considered the " Abraham Lincoln of the 20th century " .
2006-12-27 02:12:47 · answer #8 · answered by Miroku 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
he tried to bring this country together after Watergate
2006-12-27 02:07:46 · answer #9 · answered by ? 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
"WIN" buttons to fight inflation. They worked!
2006-12-27 02:26:07 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋