In the last few days we have heard so much commentary on Gerald Ford. Some of us remember the day he took office. I was in junior high, but I remember the sense of relief even I felt. Not that Watergate and Nixon had that much impact on me at that age. I was more concerned about my burgeoning social life.
Much of the commentary reflecting on Gerald Ford’s character is comforting in today’s political world:
- “Gerald Ford would try to help all his constituents, not just those who supported him”
- “Gerald Ford was always the gentleman”
- “When Gerald Ford was president. Conservatives and liberals lived in closer proximity than before or since, and that minimized partisan enmity in both the country and in Washington”.
After the November mid-terms, I am convinced the U.S. is a centrist population. Although a lot of the rhetoric out there would have us believe otherwise.
The other reason I think we could use “another Ford” is because I really appreciate John Paul Stevens, his 1975 nomination to the Supreme Court. I’m a fan of Stevens because I love to hear his arguments on cases. I don't always agree, but his intellect and reasoning always fasinate me. It is a known fact that many Republicans decried Stevens’s perceived move to the left (o.k., fairly certain move to the left). But I agree with Ford’s recent assessment of Justice Stevens: President Ford recently praised Stevens: “He is serving his nation well, with dignity, intellect and without partisan political concerns. (Wikipedia).
Is another “Ford-like” President what we need in 2008? Who would it be?
1/2/07, MPR reports Nation honors Gerald Ford
Kat Eldred, Minnesota Public Radio Duluth Life Host
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Comments: 8
He was happy with position in the House and didn't have the ambitions of becoming president.
People today, from either side of the aisle, don't have that statesman approach to governing. Whether Hillary Clinton, Obama, Gore, Kerry, Bush, Romney, McCain, it doesn't matter, the ego and drive to run for president just baffles me. Why would you wan't the job?
I was just becoming a Boy Scout during that time. I'm 42. I still remember the advertisement that ran in Boy's Life magazine, a picture of Gerald Ford in his teens, receiving his Eagle Scout award. President Ford, is the only president to earn the highest rank in the Boy Scouts, Eagle.
I can't imagine wanting the job either, but am glad that there are still people who still do.
I think Bush governs according to what he believes is right and he does so without belittling his constituents. I believe that Romney would govern the same way. I think the rest of them think we are all too stupid to take care of ourselves and we need them to figure it out for us. I am offended by all of them. I don't know about you but I am smarter than most of them and well able to take care of myself.
In that light, looking for the president of tomorrow, who is willing to serve as vice-president but has no ambitions for the presidency?