Nelson Rockefeller, John Connally and Ronald Reagan were also considered for the appointment.
It was reported that President Nixon picked Ford for the job because he knew him well and knew he would be easily confirmed by Congress. When President Nixon resigned after months of hounding by liberals in Congress and in the media, Ford became President of the United States.
After President Nixon resigned, President Ford granted him a pardon for any wrongdoing he may have committed during the aftermath of the Watergate burglary. President Nixon made several serious mistakes as a result of being misinformed of what had happened by underlings that became "darlings of the media" in return for their betrayal of the President they served. Only a few remained loyal throughout the ordeal. G. Gordon Liddy was one of the loyalists.
President Ford served the nation during a tragic period of American History that liberals continue to revise. Given the circumstances under which he became President, he probably accomplished as much or more than anyone else could have achieved.
In this writer’s view, the lowest point of his presidency was the abandonment of America’s friends and allies in Southeast Asia to Communist dictators, and mass murderers. The Congress, controlled by Democrats, cut off all funding for US, South Vietnamese and Cambodian resistence to Communist aggressors in the region, allowing invaders to move in and conquer our abandoned friends virtually unopposed.
The liberal media continue to revise the truth of this tragic era that was one of the most shameful in the history of the American republic.
"The Vietnam War ended in defeat of the U. S. during his presidency," was the way much of the liberal media falsely reported this event in connection with the death of President Ford.
The truth is that the Congress abandoned our allies and betrayed the men and families who sacrificed, risked their lives and gave their lives in the service of their country in Southeast Asia. President Ford, undoubtedly thinking he was doing the right thing, did nothing. He had promised his "former colleagues" in the Congress "communication, conciliation, compromise and cooperation," and he kept his word to them.
President Ford had promised his colleagues in Congress before becoming President that if he replaced President Nixon, he would not seek reelection after filling the remainder of the Nixon second term. He changed his mind.
President Ford survived two assassination attempts by women. They were Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme, a 26 -year-old follower of mass murderer Charles Manson, and Sara Jane Moore, a 45-year-old political activist. The President was unhurt in both attempts and both women are currently serving life terms in prison.
After becoming president and allowing the Democrats to have their way in Southeast Asia, President Ford became the focus for ridicule by the liberal media. They made jokes about his falling or stumbling on stairs.
During a debate with his Democrat opponent, Jimmy Carter, President Ford made a major blunder that reverberated around the world. He insisted that the countries of eastern Europe were not under Soviet Communist domination. The statement would haunt him throughout the campaign, and he was ultimately defeated by former Georgia Governor Jimmy Carter who received 297 electoral votes to Ford’s 240.
The name on President Ford’s Omaha, Nebraska birth certificate is Leslie King. His parents divorced when he was less than one year old. His mother later married Gerald R. Ford, who adopted the boy and renamed him Gerald R. Ford, Jr.
Gerald Jr., attended the University of Michigan where he played center on the football team and later attended the Yale School of Law.
After service in the US Navy during World War II, Ford met and married a dancer named Elizabeth Bloomer. They have three sons and a daughter.
Ford was chosen to run for Congress by Michigan Sen. Arthur Vandenberg because he was an "internationalist."
Ford was the last surviving member of the controversial Warren Commission that concluded that Lee Harvey Oswald was
the lone assassin of President Kennedy.
Mrs. Ford was "one of the country’s most admired women," according to the Associated Press. Her children had the typical problems with drugs and alcohol, and Mrs. Ford acknowledged she was addicted to both prescription drugs and alcohol. The Betty Ford drug treatment center is named in her honor.
President Bush described President Ford as a "great American" who helped to heal a nation. "The American people will always admire Gerald Ford’s devotion to duty, his personal character and the honorable conduct of his administration. We mourn the loss of such a leader, and our 38
South Carolina’s elected officials commented on the death of President Ford.
Governor Mark Sanford: "I think more than anything, President Ford’s legacy will be one of leading with honor and integrity. That leadership came at an incredibly important and pivotal time in our nation’s history, and it’s my belief that future generations will come to realize just how crucial his tenure was in leading us through that time."
Senator Lindsey Graham: "It is gratifying to see an increased appreciation of the presidency of Gerald R. Ford. He inherited a battered institution and within two-and-a-half years was able to pass on to his successor a restored presidency. America has always been blessed with having the right people come along at the right time in history. In 1974 America desperately needed a decent and honorable leader who could heal a wounded nation. That is exactly what we had in Gerald Ford.
"It’s now hard to imagine the turmoil that existed in those difficult days. I believe history will continue to elevate the Ford Presidency, and more Americans will appreciate the valuable service rendered by one of the most decent, kind men to ever occupy the Office of President of the United States. Without any doubt, Gerald Ford made decisions as President that put country above self. It should be an inspiration to all serving in public office today."
Senator Jim DeMint: "President Ford will long be remembered for a lifetime of service to our nation. From his years spent defending freedom in World War II to his leadership in Congress and the White House, Gerald Ford was a patriot and inspiration to us all."
Congressman Joe Wilson: "Today our nation mourns the passing of her 38
