Opinion of Gerald Ford

[Kingpoleon]

One of the best the GOP could muster during this era and from now on. Obviously not perfect, but he did a not bad job for someone really just thrown into the job. Pardoning Nixon is a pretty grave offense, though.

Even TED KENNEDY agreed with giving him a profile in courage for that.

Massive FF, probably the best since JFK. Besides Lincoln, he ties for second best with JFK. He was a great leader who did not what was popular, but what was right. He always considered advisors on each side of every issue according to Transportation Secretary Coleman, to the point where Coleman said he could not think Ford's position on busing any less valid than his own.

[Kingpoleon]

He inherited an unwelcome task of picking up the pieces after Watergate and he largely did so, with great political cost. Ford was a honest fellow. FF.

At least we seem to have one left wing person who appreciates Ford's courage throughout his life.

[Kingpoleon]

His administration's foreign policy was, just like Nixon's and LBJ's generally horrific. It's true that he probably couldn't have prevented the worst thing that happened during his Presidency, the Indonesian invasion of East Timor even if he tried to, and that most of the stuff going on was more the work of lower level people in his administration, like Kissinger but that doesn't exactly get him off the hook. Also his Presidency was pretty disastrous in terms of the economy and quality of life internally, once again the factors for it were largely outside his control, but that doesn't mean his poor handling (like distributing "Whip Inflation Now" buttons as a response to the inflation.) is exactly excuse worthy either. it's hard to really point to anything positive he did, aside from appointing John Paul Stevens to the Supreme Court.

Overall he doesn't seem like he was a bad person personally, but those facts above make it hard to vote anything but HP.

His economic policy prevented another Depression. I listed in another thread everything he did.

COULD SOMEONE PLEASE EXPLAIN TO ME WHY THEY DISAGREE WITH EVERYONE ON THE RIGHT TO TED KENNEDY ON THE LEFT ABOUT PARDONING NIXON? The trial of a former President widely publicized would have deeply polarized us for scores of years if not over a century.

Unfortunately, even now, the courage and simple honesty of one man is not even appreciated by most on the other side.

[Kingpoleon]

Simple: because the idea that justice is equal for all can't just be a nice theory - it has to be put to practice every once in a while. Sending the message that the President can get away with what would have landed a regular Joe in jail for years doesn't exactly restore confidence in institutions.

I disagree. Either the trial would have to have been postponed five or ten years, delaying the process and unraveling mass and multiple controversies for every decision a judge makes, or it could be held with a biased jury who already condemn Nixon guilty before the trial.

If I were to choose between justice for Richard Nixon and the preservation of American greatness and perhaps America itself, I would gladly take the latter.

Why do you Leftist weirdos have some sort of crazy problem with letting a man using his office to launch a criminal conspiracy to undermine his rivals go Scot free?

Thank you! I completely appreciate your misrepresentation of the case to be inherently biased for one side in a satirical manner, thus conveniently making most people overlook the fact that you are misrepresenting your case in an unfair way.

He inherited a mess. He restored the White House’s integrity. Vietnam was already a lost cause, he couldn’t have done much. The pardon was controversial and I lean to oppose it though I understand Ford’s justification for it and acknowledge the price he paid for it. Aside from politics, he was well-liked by Republicans and Democrats alike as a nice fellow. In short: He left the presidency in a far better shape than he found it and was a decent man. FF.

Massive FF.

Ford healed the wounds of Watergate, and restored honor and decency back to the presidency. He was there when his leadership and personal qualities were needed the most (just imagine Spiro Agnew would have been president after Watergate). The pardon was a difficult but in the end correct decision. Under Ford's watch, the econmic stagnation improved, by 1976 inflation was under control and all that despite a heavily Democratic congress which wanted to reclaim power after the Watergate excesses. Instead of being a partisan hack, Ford was a compromise-oriented guy and nice man. His only real bad decision was to drop Rocky from the VP slot, which he later regretted.

I appreciate Democrats like you two and Ted Kennedy who respect Ford's courage, honesty, and integrity. What is right is not always popular, and what is popular is not always right. A good leader knows the difference, and does what is right rather than what is popular at the time. For this, history will regard men of courage and honor like Gerald Ford well.

[Kingpoleon]

So what you're saying is that if the President does it, it's not illegal. Or it's illegal, but we're not going to do anything to uphold the law because muh American greatness.

The justice of the one may die for the sake of the many. Maybe that's me prioritizing America not being in a civil war over serving a criminal his dues. If so, I will gladly accept that.

[Kingpoleon]

So what you're saying is that if the President does it, it's not illegal. Or it's illegal, but we're not going to do anything to uphold the law because muh American greatness.

The justice of the one may die for the sake of the many. Maybe that's me prioritizing America not being in a civil war over serving a criminal his dues. If so, I will gladly accept that.

So if a criminal is sufficiently popular that their conviction would stir controversy, they are above the law. Got it.

I fundamentally believe that everything in a case would divide the country many times over. For examp:

1. Should Richard Nixon be provided bail?
2. How much money is reasonable for bail?
3. How many appeal courts, if any, should take his appeals?
4. Was the judge assigned to the case biased?
5. How long should his sentence be?
6. How big should his fine be?
7. How bad were his crimes?
8. How guilty was he?

Can you imagine such a complicated and long debate, where it would be hard to find someone you agreed with on such fundamental moral questions? A long, protracted debate as important as this could have easily served as the sparks for a revolution.

[Kingpoleon]

Citing Ted Kennedy's opinion for how elected officials should be treated after they commit a felony isn't very helpful, by the way.

Strangely enough, some of Richard Nixon's strongest... "prosecutors" here are big fans of Ted Kennedy.