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'''Gerald Rudolph Ford Jr.''' (born Leslie Lynch King, Jr.) was the 38th [[President of the United States of America]], serving from August 1974 to January 1977.  He was the first president not elected to either the presidency or vice-presidency.  A Republican, Ford served as U.S. [[Representative]], 1948-73, and was the House Minority Leader from 1965 to 1973.  His most famous and daring decision was to pardon former President [[Richard Nixon]] of any crimes for the good of the nation.  Nixon appointed Ford as Vice President on the resignation of [[Spiro Agnew]].  When Nixon subsequently resigned as President, Ford succeeded him.  

'''Gerald Rudolph Ford Jr.''' (born Leslie Lynch King, Jr.) was the 38th [[President of the United States of America]], serving from August 1974 to January 1977.  He was the first president not elected to either the presidency or vice-presidency.  A Republican, Ford served as U.S. [[Representative]], 1948–73, and was the House Minority Leader from 1965 to 1973.  His most famous and daring decision was to pardon former President [[Richard Nixon]] of any crimes for the good of the nation.  Nixon appointed Ford as Vice President on the resignation of [[Spiro Agnew]].  When Nixon subsequently resigned as President, Ford succeeded him.  

President Ford received heavy criticism for pardoning Nixon.  Ford watched helpless as [[South Vietnam]] fell to a Communist invasion, after all American forces had been removed.  He promoted [[détente]] with the [[Soviet Union]], incurring the wrath of the conservatives, led by [[Ronald Reagan]]. He narrowly defeated Reagan for renomination in 1976 by the [[Republican party]], then lost narrowly to Democrat [[Jimmy Carter]].   

President Ford received heavy criticism for pardoning Nixon.  Ford watched helpless as [[South Vietnam]] fell to a Communist invasion, after all American forces had been removed.  He promoted [[détente]] with the [[Soviet Union]], incurring the wrath of the conservatives, led by [[Ronald Reagan]]. He narrowly defeated Reagan for renomination in 1976 by the [[Republican party]], then lost narrowly to Democrat [[Jimmy Carter]].   

Ford was a conservative, pro-business, local activist, and was known as a decent person and good family man; in his three years in office, he did much to heal the deep national wounds he had inherited from Nixon.

Ford was a conservative, pro-business, local activist, and was known as a decent person and good family man; in his three years in office, he did much to heal the deep national wounds he had inherited from Nixon.

==Early Life==

==Early life==

Ford was born on July 14, 1913, in [[Omaha]], [[Nebraska]], and was named Leslie King after his father, a wool trader. When Ford was two years old his parents were divorced because of abuse. His mother, Dorothy Gardner King, moved to [[Grand Rapids]], Michigan. There she met and married Gerald R. Ford, owner of a small paint factory. Ford adopted her son, and the boy's name was changed to Gerald R. Ford, Jr. Gerald Ford, Sr., described by biographers as a dominant athletic man and strong believer in self-discipline, later fathered three sons. He never told young Gerald that he was adopted until years later.

Ford was born on July 14, 1913, in [[Omaha]], [[Nebraska]], and was named Leslie King after his father, a wool trader. When Ford was two years old his parents were divorced because of abuse. His mother, Dorothy Gardner King, moved to [[Grand Rapids]], Michigan. There she met and married Gerald R. Ford, owner of a small paint factory. Ford adopted her son, and the boy's name was changed to Gerald R. Ford, Jr. Gerald Ford, Sr., described by biographers as a dominant athletic man and strong believer in self-discipline, later fathered three sons. He never told young Gerald that he was adopted until years later.

Three weeks before his first election, on Oct. 15, 1948, Ford married Elizabeth "Betty" Bloomer, a former model and aspiring dancer. Born in Chicago, she had lived most of her life in Grand Rapids and had been married and divorced. Jerry and Betty Ford had three sons and a daughter. She became a vocal and effective spokeswoman for important social and women's issues during and after her years in the White House, appearing somewhat less conservative than Ford himself.<ref>Maryanne Borrelli, "Competing Conceptions of the First Ladyship: Public Responses to Betty Ford's 60 Minutes Interview." ''Presidential Studies Quarterly'' 2001 31(3): 397-414. ISSN 0360-4918.</ref>

Three weeks before his first election, on Oct. 15, 1948, Ford married Elizabeth "Betty" Bloomer, a former model and aspiring dancer. Born in Chicago, she had lived most of her life in Grand Rapids and had been married and divorced. Jerry and Betty Ford had three sons and a daughter. She became a vocal and effective spokeswoman for important social and women's issues during and after her years in the White House, appearing somewhat less conservative than Ford himself.<ref>Maryanne Borrelli, "Competing Conceptions of the First Ladyship: Public Responses to Betty Ford's 60 Minutes Interview." ''Presidential Studies Quarterly'' 2001 31(3): 397-414. ISSN 0360-4918.</ref>

==Congressional Career==

==Congressional career==

[[Image:Fordcampaign.gif‎|left|thumb|250px|Gerald R. Ford, Jr., Republican primary campaign billboard, 1948.]] Both his father, a Republican leader in Grand Rapids, and the late Republican Senator [[Arthur H. Vandenberg]] urged young Ford to run for Congress. Vandenberg, who was an internationalist, wanted to oust the isolationist Republican congressman from the Grand Rapids area district, Bartel Jonkman. Ford won the primary, defeating incumbent Congressman Bartel J. Jonkman by more than 9,000 votes and went on to an easy victory in the general election.  At this stage his basic political outlook was influenced by [[Wendell Willkie]], by service in World War II, and by hostility to the dominant local machine. Ford ran as a minority reformer. Ford's view of himself as a minority reformer willing to stand up and oppose what he saw as corruption.<ref>William A. Syers, "The Political Beginnings of Gerald R. Ford: Anti-bossism, Internationalism, and the Congressional Campaign of 1948." ''Presidential Studies Quarterly'' 1990 20(1): 127-142. ISSN 0360-4918.</ref>

[[Image:Fordcampaign.gif‎|left|thumb|250px|Gerald R. Ford, Jr., Republican primary campaign billboard, 1948.]] Both his father, a Republican leader in Grand Rapids, and the late Republican Senator [[Arthur H. Vandenberg]] urged young Ford to run for Congress. Vandenberg, who was an internationalist, wanted to oust the isolationist Republican congressman from the Grand Rapids area district, Bartel Jonkman. Ford won the primary, defeating incumbent Congressman Bartel J. Jonkman by more than 9,000 votes and went on to an easy victory in the general election.  At this stage his basic political outlook was influenced by [[Wendell Willkie]], by service in World War II, and by hostility to the dominant local machine. Ford ran as a minority reformer. Ford's view of himself as a minority reformer willing to stand up and oppose what he saw as corruption.<ref>William A. Syers, "The Political Beginnings of Gerald R. Ford: Anti-bossism, Internationalism, and the Congressional Campaign of 1948." ''Presidential Studies Quarterly'' 1990 20(1): 127-142. ISSN 0360-4918.</ref>

===Pardon===

===Pardon===

Ford's honeymoon suddenly ended on September 8, 1974, when he gave Nixon an unconditional pardon for all federal crimes he might have committed in office.  The timing was bad, and the Democrats had an issue they used to score massive gains in the November Congressional elections.<ref> Soon after, Ford offered [[Vietnam War]] military deserters and draft dodgers a conditional amnesty, with penalties. Most war resisters in exile ignored the offer.</ref>  The Watergate tragedy had dragged on for two years and grievously undermined public confidence in core national institutions, as both the president and vice president, and many top aides, had been forced to resign. Many went to prison. Ford's role was to start fresh again, but the pardon cost him desperately needed momentum.  He handled the pardon issue maladroitly, failing even to insist that Nixon give up his presidential papers and tapes or issue a statement of contrition before granting him a pardon, and timing it just before the midterm elections, allowing it to do maximum damage to the GOP candidates.

Ford's honeymoon suddenly ended on September 8, 1974, when he gave Nixon an unconditional pardon for all federal crimes he might have committed in office.  The timing was bad, and the Democrats had an issue they used to score massive gains in the November Congressional elections.<ref>Soon after, Ford offered [[Vietnam War]] military deserters and draft dodgers a conditional amnesty, with penalties. Most war resisters in exile ignored the offer.</ref>  The Watergate tragedy had dragged on for two years and grievously undermined public confidence in core national institutions, as both the president and vice president, and many top aides, had been forced to resign. Many went to prison. Ford's role was to start fresh again, but the pardon cost him desperately needed momentum.  He handled the pardon issue maladroitly, failing even to insist that Nixon give up his presidential papers and tapes or issue a statement of contrition before granting him a pardon, and timing it just before the midterm elections, allowing it to do maximum damage to the GOP candidates.

Ford was the target of two unsuccessful assassination attempts. One in Sacramento, California on September 5, 1975 was attempted by Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme. Then in San Francisco, Sara Jane Moore pointed a pistol at him, but a bystander grabbed the gun.<ref> Both were sentenced to life in prison, but Moore was paroled on December 31, 2007. [http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local&id=4900159 report</ref>

Ford was the target of two unsuccessful assassination attempts. One in Sacramento, California on September 5, 1975 was attempted by Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme. Then in San Francisco, Sara Jane Moore pointed a pistol at him, but a bystander grabbed the gun.<ref>Both were sentenced to life in prison, but Moore was paroled on December 31, 2007. [http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local&id=4900159 report]</ref>

===Economy===

===Economy===

[[Image:Ford1976.JPG|left|thumb|250px|President Ford at work in the Oval Office, 08/12/76]] Ford's vision for America were grounded in conservative principles that emphasized fiscal responsibility, decreased federal involvement in the economy, lower taxes, and long-term sustainable growth with low inflation. Rampant inflation was the economic terror of the 1970s, and its reduction was Ford's overriding domestic priority. But growth rates were also low--the combination was new and unexpected and was called "stagflation."  Mus of the problem came from international economic trends, as oil prices skyrocketed and Japanese and German imports for the first time became major threats to American factories.  

[[Image:Ford1976.JPG|left|thumb|250px|President Ford at work in the Oval Office, 08/12/76]] Ford's vision for America were grounded in conservative principles that emphasized fiscal responsibility, decreased federal involvement in the economy, lower taxes, and long-term sustainable growth with low inflation. Rampant inflation was the economic terror of the 1970s, and its reduction was Ford's overriding domestic priority. But growth rates were also low—the combination was new and unexpected and was called "stagflation."  Mus of the problem came from international economic trends, as oil prices skyrocketed and Japanese and German imports for the first time became major threats to American factories.  

Ford's favored means for combating inflation was the conservative stand-by: a combination of fiscal austerity and a tight federal monetary policy. He attacked the heavily Democratic 94th Congress for wasteful spending, and 66 times wielded the presidential veto to kill costly congressional bills.  His refusal to help New York City's financial crisis was briefly popular in the hinterland.<ref>Yanek Mieczkowski, ''Gerald Ford And The Challenges Of The 1970s'' (2005).</ref>  

Ford's favored means for combating inflation was the conservative stand-by: a combination of fiscal austerity and a tight federal monetary policy. He attacked the heavily Democratic 94th Congress for wasteful spending, and 66 times wielded the presidential veto to kill costly congressional bills.  His refusal to help New York City's financial crisis was briefly popular in the hinterland.<ref>Yanek Mieczkowski, ''Gerald Ford And The Challenges Of The 1970s'' (2005).</ref>  

The weak economy was a major concern during the Ford administration. Inflation was in the double digits, unemployment was rising and the gross domestic product was in decline. <ref>Henry F. Graff, "Gerald R. Ford," ''The Presidents, P. 538</ref> Ford proposed a tight lid of $300 billion on the federal budget and asked for a $5 billion surtax (additional income tax) on corporations and families in the higher income bracket. These were part of his "whip inflation now" (WIN) program; they proved ineffective.   

The weak economy was a major concern during the Ford administration. Inflation was in the double digits, unemployment was rising and the gross domestic product was in decline.<ref>Henry F. Graff, "Gerald R. Ford," ''The Presidents, P. 538</ref> Ford proposed a tight lid of $300 billion on the federal budget and asked for a $5 billion surtax (additional income tax) on corporations and families in the higher income bracket. These were part of his "whip inflation now" (WIN) program; they proved ineffective.   

Ford fought constantly with Congress, especially when Democrats made major gains after attacking his pardon in the 1974 elections. Sixty-six times he exercised his veto power. ''Congressional Quarterly'' reported that  Ford won only 58% of congressional votes that he took a position on, the lowest level of support from any president. Ford's press secretary, Ron Nessen, was incompetent and repeatedly blamed the news media for reporting on Ford's failures.

Ford fought constantly with Congress, especially when Democrats made major gains after attacking his pardon in the 1974 elections. Sixty-six times he exercised his veto power. ''Congressional Quarterly'' reported that  Ford won only 58% of congressional votes that he took a position on, the lowest level of support from any president. Ford's press secretary, Ron Nessen, was incompetent and repeatedly blamed the news media for reporting on Ford's failures.

==1976 Reelection Campaign==

==1976 Reelection Campaign==

''Main article: [[United States presidential election, 1976]]''

{{Main|United States presidential election, 1976}}

By late 1976 the United States was not involved in any war, but the détente policy was rapidly losing political support, with Kissinger a scapegoat. Inflation had moderated. Business had recovered from the deep slump, though unemployment was still high.

By late 1976 the United States was not involved in any war, but the détente policy was rapidly losing political support, with Kissinger a scapegoat. Inflation had moderated. Business had recovered from the deep slump, though unemployment was still high.

Ford, after overcoming a strong challenge for the Republican nomination from conservative [[Ronald Reagan]], replaced liberal Rockefeller with conservative Senator [[Robert Dole]] of Kansas, as his running mate. He campaigned on his record of having blocked expensive social programs and thereby slowed inflation.  

Ford, after overcoming a strong challenge for the Republican nomination from conservative [[Ronald Reagan]], replaced liberal Rockefeller with conservative Senator [[Robert Dole]] of Kansas, as his running mate. He campaigned on his record of having blocked expensive social programs and thereby slowed inflation.  

Ford-the-insider was challenged by a complete outsider, [[Jimmy Carter]], a former Georgia governor who promised to restore trust in government, reduce unemployment, and shrink the federal bureaucracy. Ford accused Carter of being fuzzy on issues and of lacking experience in foreign affairs. However he agreed to nationally televised debates - the first between presidential candidates since 1960 and in one debate Ford blundered badly by insisting falsely that "there is no Soviet domination of Eastern Europe."  

Ford-the-insider was challenged by a complete outsider, [[Jimmy Carter]], a former Georgia governor who promised to restore trust in government, reduce unemployment, and shrink the federal bureaucracy. Ford accused Carter of being fuzzy on issues and of lacking experience in foreign affairs. However he agreed to nationally televised debates - the first between presidential candidates since 1960 and in one debate Ford blundered badly by insisting falsely that "there is no Soviet domination of Eastern Europe."  

Although Carter was expected to win easily, Ford almost wiped out his lead by the end of the campaign. Carter won on November 2nd, narrowly defeating Ford 50%-48%. Ford is the only president who never won a national election.  Carter payed tribute to his Ford in his inaugural address. "For myself and for our Nation, I want to thank my predecessor for all he has done to heal our land."

Although Carter was expected to win easily, Ford almost wiped out his lead by the end of the campaign. Carter won on November 2, narrowly defeating Ford 50%-48%. Ford is the only president who never won a national election.  Carter payed tribute to his Ford in his inaugural address. "For myself and for our Nation, I want to thank my predecessor for all he has done to heal our land."

Historians generally agree with the verdict: the Ford presidency showed indecisive leadership, repeated political miscalculation, poor judgment, and lack of vision.

Historians generally agree with the verdict: the Ford presidency showed indecisive leadership, repeated political miscalculation, poor judgment, and lack of vision.

[[Image:20061226-2_g8o6137-1-515h.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Gerald Ford and Betty Ford with President [[George W. Bush]], 04/23/06]] Ford remained active in politics after his Presidency through lecturers at hundreds of colleges and universities over current issues. There was serious consideration in 1980 that Ronald Reagan would select Ford as his Vice Presidential running mate; it proved impossible to broker a deal giving Ford the powers he wanted, so Reagan instead chose [[George H.W. Bush]].  

[[Image:20061226-2_g8o6137-1-515h.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Gerald Ford and Betty Ford with President [[George W. Bush]], 04/23/06]] Ford remained active in politics after his Presidency through lecturers at hundreds of colleges and universities over current issues. There was serious consideration in 1980 that Ronald Reagan would select Ford as his Vice Presidential running mate; it proved impossible to broker a deal giving Ford the powers he wanted, so Reagan instead chose [[George H.W. Bush]].  

Ford attended the annual Public Policy Week Conferences of the American Enterprise Institute, and in 1982 established the AEI World Forum, which was a gathering of international former and current world leaders to discuss political and business policies. On August 11, 1999, President [[Bill Clinton]] awarded Ford the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nations highest civilian honor. <ref>http://www.ford.utexas.edu/avproj/post-presidential.asp</ref> In 2001, Ford was also awarded the Profiles in Courage Award. After the 2000 Presidential election, he and his former rival Jimmy Carter co-chaired the National Commission on Federal Election Reform. <ref>http://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/grf/timeline.asp#post</ref>

Ford attended the annual Public Policy Week Conferences of the American Enterprise Institute, and in 1982 established the AEI World Forum, which was a gathering of international former and current world leaders to discuss political and business policies. On August 11, 1999, President [[Bill Clinton]] awarded Ford the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nations highest civilian honor.<ref>http://www.ford.utexas.edu/avproj/post-presidential.asp</ref> In 2001, Ford was also awarded the Profiles in Courage Award. After the 2000 Presidential election, he and his former rival Jimmy Carter co-chaired the National Commission on Federal Election Reform.<ref>http://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/grf/timeline.asp#post</ref>

President Ford died on December 26, 2006 at his home in Rancho Mirage, California due to arteriosclerotic cerebrovascular disease. Ford was 93 years old. President Ford's body was taken to Eisenhower Medical Center where it remained until the start of State Funeral Services.

President Ford died on December 26, 2006 at his home in Rancho Mirage, California due to arteriosclerotic cerebrovascular disease. Ford was 93 years old. President Ford's body was taken to Eisenhower Medical Center where it remained until the start of State Funeral Services.

==References==

==References==

* Abramowitz, Alan I. "The Impact of a Presidential Debate on Voter Rationality, " ''American Journal of Political Science,'' Vol. 22, No. 3 (Aug., 1978), pp. 680-690, advanced analysis of debate with Carter on unemployment, showing voters shifter their opinion to agree with Ford or Carter. [http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0092-5853(197808)22%3A3%3C680%3ATIOAPD%3E2.0.CO%3B2-I in JSTOR]

* Abramowitz, Alan I. "The Impact of a Presidential Debate on Voter Rationality, " ''American Journal of Political Science,'' Vol. 22, No. 3 (Aug., 1978), pp.&nbsp;680–690, advanced analysis of debate with Carter on unemployment, showing voters shifter their opinion to agree with Ford or Carter. [http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0092-5853(197808)22%3A3%3C680%3ATIOAPD%3E2.0.CO%3B2-I in JSTOR]

* Brinkley, Douglas. ''Gerald R. Ford'' (2007), short biography by scholar [http://www.amazon.com/Gerald-R-Ford-Douglas-Brinkley/dp/0805069097/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1240184246&sr=8-2 excerpt and text search]

* Brinkley, Douglas. ''Gerald R. Ford'' (2007), short biography by scholar [http://www.amazon.com/Gerald-R-Ford-Douglas-Brinkley/dp/0805069097/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1240184246&sr=8-2 excerpt and text search]

* Cannon, James. ''Time and Chance: Gerald Ford's Appointment With History'' (1998), 528pp; the major biography

* Cannon, James. ''Time and Chance: Gerald Ford's Appointment With History'' (1998), 528pp; the major biography

* Greene, John Robert. ''The Limits of Power: The Nixon and Ford Administrations'' (1992)  

* Greene, John Robert. ''The Limits of Power: The Nixon and Ford Administrations'' (1992)  

* Greene, John Robert. ''Betty Ford: Candor And Courage In The White House'' (2004) [http://www.amazon.com/Betty-Ford-Candor-Courage-Modern/dp/0700613544/ref=sr_1_10/103-4827826-5463040?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1194388147&sr=8-10  excerpt and text search]

* Greene, John Robert. ''Betty Ford: Candor And Courage In The White House'' (2004) [http://www.amazon.com/Betty-Ford-Candor-Courage-Modern/dp/0700613544/ref=sr_1_10/103-4827826-5463040?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1194388147&sr=8-10  excerpt and text search]

* Hayes, Stephen F. ''Cheney: The Untold Story of America's Most Powerful and Controversial Vice President'' (2007). pp 70-122 on role as senior aide to Ford; [http://www.amazon.com/Cheney-Americas-Powerful-Controversial-President/dp/0060723467/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-4827826-5463040?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1194424418&sr=1-1 excerpt and text search]  

* Hayes, Stephen F. ''Cheney: The Untold Story of America's Most Powerful and Controversial Vice President'' (2007). pp 70–122 on role as senior aide to Ford; [http://www.amazon.com/Cheney-Americas-Powerful-Controversial-President/dp/0060723467/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-4827826-5463040?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1194424418&sr=1-1 excerpt and text search]  

* Mieczkowski, Yanek. ''Gerald Ford And The Challenges Of The 1970s'' (2005), 455pp; [http://www.amazon.com/Gerald-Challenges-1970s-Yanek-Mieczkowski/dp/0813123496/ref=sr_1_7/103-4827826-5463040?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1194388147&sr=8-7 excerpt and text search]

* Mieczkowski, Yanek. ''Gerald Ford And The Challenges Of The 1970s'' (2005), 455pp; [http://www.amazon.com/Gerald-Challenges-1970s-Yanek-Mieczkowski/dp/0813123496/ref=sr_1_7/103-4827826-5463040?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1194388147&sr=8-7 excerpt and text search]

* Schapsmeier, Edward L. and Frederick H. Schapsmeier. ''Gerald R. Ford's Date With Destiny: A Political Biography'' (1989), strongest on Congressional years.  

* Schapsmeier, Edward L. and Frederick H. Schapsmeier. ''Gerald R. Ford's Date With Destiny: A Political Biography'' (1989), strongest on Congressional years.