Sunday, December 31, 2006

Gerald R. Ford: A good man steering our nation through some truly bad times.

President Ford had been labeled "exceptional" and "extraordinary" for many reasons. The shortest tenure of any President in the twentieth century. The only man to assume both the Vice Presidency and Presidency without being elected. The only President ever to pardon the man who put him into office. The list goes on. And yet in my book, these are not the most important reasons that this humble, unassuming man was so exceptional. These are merely the circumstances that helped to bring out the greatness in our 38th President.

Three decades ago, after being sworn in as President after the resignation of President Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford made what I’m sure was an excruciatingly difficult decision, issuing a full pardon to his predecessor. This single act would forever define Mr. Ford’s Presidency, for good or for ill (depending on who you ask). Ford’s critics have suggested that this was not only a mistake, but was part of a deal that was made when Ford was chosen to replace Agnew as V.P. Ford’s defenders have stated that the pardon was necessary to help heal the rift in our nation, and allow us to ""move on".

I’m glad that this was the act that defined Ford’s Presidency. Because this one decision showed Mr. Ford for the good man and great leader that he was. This single act showed not only his compassion, but his courage as well. At the time he made this decision, Ford stood truly alone, making a choice he knew would be terribly unpopular, yet still the right thing to do. He showed us that the measure of a man goes well beyond what he can accomplish in good times, but what fortitude and integrity he can show when faced with overwhelming challenges.

As our nation mourns the passing of this former President, I hope that we will take to heart the lessons of his leadership.

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1 Comments:

At 7:11 AM, January 01, 2007, Blogger Country Squire said...

Marlipern,

Those were very difficult days for our nation and President Ford did his part to steer us away from self destruction. A full blown criminal trial of Richard Nixon would have been disastrous for the country. I read recently that prosecuting Nixon would have served no purpose since the political animal Nixon (some might argue, inseparable from the real Nixon) was executed the day he resigned the presidency.

President Ford understood what this unprecedented situation required of him and he put the good of the country above his own political aspirations. Your praise of him is well deserved.

 

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