If elected to a full term, could Ford have been a success?

[DevotedDemocrat]

If President Ford had been elected to a second, full term of office, could he have been a successful President? If not one of the greats, could he have been a game changer in terms of our political history, maybe perhaps keeping the GOP more moderate for a while longer, and perhaps achieving a reputation akin to that of Eisenhower?

[ElectionsGuy]

You bet.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

One of biggest missed opportunities in American history, though for all of his faults, I am glad Reagan was elected in 1980, and not Ted Kennedy, which would have been possible if Ford won in '76.

[TNF]

Ford was not a "moderate."

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

No. That said, he would've been a Hell of a lot better than Carter.

[Warren 4 Secretary of Everything]

I'm pretty sure the country would've still gone into recession, and might've lasted longer. Carter's appointment of Paul Volkcer to the Fed saved the economy.

[DevotedDemocrat]

One of biggest missed opportunities in American history, though for all of his faults, I am glad Reagan was elected in 1980, and not Ted Kennedy, which would have been possible if Ford won in '76.

I really don't think Ted Kennedy could ever have been elected post Chappaquiddick. The only reason he got so far in 1980 was because Carter was pretty much horrible on every front and had alienated the left wing of his own party.

If Ford had won in 1976, you can bet Reagan still would've run in 1980. Hell, he was nearly nominated in '76 as it was, he was definitely going to be the party favorite going into 1980. Even if Ted Kennedy had been nominated as his opponent in the 1980 election, I still can't see a blood stained Ted Kennedy--yes, even with the Kennedy name--winning over Reagan.

Reagan's margin of victory would've likely been smaller than in OTL, the race might've been actually tight, but he still would've won, IMO.
 

[Cory]

I really don't think Ted Kennedy could ever have been elected post Chappaquiddick. The only reason he got so far in 1980 was because Carter was pretty much horrible on every front and had alienated the left wing of his own party.

If Ford had won in 1976, you can bet Reagan still would've run in 1980. Hell, he was nearly nominated in '76 as it was, he was definitely going to be the party favorite going into 1980. Even if Ted Kennedy had been nominated as his opponent in the 1980 election, I still can't see a blood stained Ted Kennedy--yes, even with the Kennedy name--winning over Reagan.

Reagan's margin of victory would've likely been smaller than in OTL, the race might've been actually tight, but he still would've won, IMO.

[Oldiesfreak1854]

I think he could've.  I think he was relatively successful anyway, but certainly not worth as much as Washington or Lincoln.