One of the areas where some liberals and some conservatives agree is this: concentration of too much power is potentially a bad thing. When Nixon resigned, the office of the President became less of a center of power. That is how I wanted it, and I thought Ford would keep it that way.
Fourth, I did not trust Jimmy Carter. He presented himself as humble, almost to a fault, and I did not buy it. Of course, time has shown that he was genuine, so he proved me wrong.
Fifth, I must also confess, I was influenced by the fact that Ford was from Michigan. Not a big influence, but I couldn't ignore it.
Now he returns, for interment in Grand Rapids.
Comments
Hee. Sorry, just seeing the opening sentences reminds me of the That 70's Show episode where Ford came through campaigning for the 76 election. After hearing that he'd be giving a speech, Red was complaining endlessly about what a terrible President he was. Kitty tried to calm him down: "Red, you voted for Ford." Red was just incredulous. "Kitty, nobody voted for Ford!" I don't know why, it just killed me at the time ...
Posted by: Scott Simmons | December 27, 2006 9:27 PM
In hindsight, do you think the Pardon was a good thing? Or at least better than the alternative, now that you've seen the Democratic vindictiveness that came out in Iran-Contra or the Republican madness that was the Whitewater + Lewinsky scandal, and how both slowed government action down to a standstill?
Posted by: Joe Shelby | December 27, 2006 9:29 PM
At the time, the Pardon gave the impression that we had a class-system society, with some people being above the law. Furthermore, I don't think partisan politics was as vicious back then. (I know that would be difficult to prove, but it is the impression that I have.)
There is no easy answer, as there would have been problems either way.
Plus, if there had not been a pardon, and Nixon had been impeached AND convicted, perhaps it would have made subsequent scandals less likely. Again, impossible to prove.
So on the whole I think it was a bad thing, but I don't discount the counterarguments.
Posted by: Joseph j7uy5 | December 27, 2006 9:48 PM