ThirtyEighth President 1974 1977 Gerald Ford Gerald Ford

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Thirty-Eighth President 1974 -1977

Thirty-Eighth President 1974 -1977

Gerald Ford : Gerald Ford was the first Vice-President and the first President to

Gerald Ford : Gerald Ford was the first Vice-President and the first President to ascend to both positions without being elected. Regarded on all sides of politics as a decent man. http: //www. americanhistory. abc-clio. com

From the Beginning • Gerald Ford was born Leslie Lynch King, Jr. , on

From the Beginning • Gerald Ford was born Leslie Lynch King, Jr. , on July 14, 1913, in Omaha, Nebraska. • He later was adopted and changed his name to Gerald Rudolph Ford, Jr. after his stepfather. • Ford attended University of Michigan, earning a bachelor's degree in economics. He went on to graduate from Yale University Law School in 1941. Ford only practiced law for a short while before enlisting in the U. S. Navy after the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7.

Green Bay Packers Wanted Ford! • In 1935, after graduating from the University of

Green Bay Packers Wanted Ford! • In 1935, after graduating from the University of Michigan, Ford turned down contract offers from the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers so he could take a coaching job at Yale University.

The Start of His Political Career • Ford won his first political position in

The Start of His Political Career • Ford won his first political position in 1949, becoming a Republican member of the U. S. House of Representatives. • He served as a representative of Michigan for thirteen terms. • During his time in Congress, he was on several committees and was appointed to the Warren Commission, which investigated the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. • He served as House minority leader from 1965 to 1973.

 • 1973 House Minority Leader Ford enjoys a quiet moment in his office

• 1973 House Minority Leader Ford enjoys a quiet moment in his office on October 12, 1973. That evening he would be named as President Nixon's choice to replace Spiro Agnew as vice president.

Unexpected Changes in His Career • The political scandals of 1970 s changed the

Unexpected Changes in His Career • The political scandals of 1970 s changed the course of Ford's career. • When Vice President Spiro Agnew resigned in late 1973, President Richard M. Nixon selected Ford to be his new vice president. (Agnew pleaded no contest to a tax evasion charge and resigned from the nation's second-highest office. The former Maryland governor was under investigation for accepting bribes and kickbacks. )

Tokyo, May 12, 1972: From the "what might have been" department: Agnew would have

Tokyo, May 12, 1972: From the "what might have been" department: Agnew would have become president upon Richard Nixon's resignation in 1974 but that didn’t happen. From the Stripes archives May 4, 2004

Nixon responsible for break-in at the Democratic Headquarters in the Watergate Hotel

Nixon responsible for break-in at the Democratic Headquarters in the Watergate Hotel

 • The next August, Nixon resigned because of his involvement in the Watergate

• The next August, Nixon resigned because of his involvement in the Watergate scandal. Ford became the 38 th president of the United States on August 9, 1974.

I have not sought this enormous responsibility, but I will not shirk it. Those

I have not sought this enormous responsibility, but I will not shirk it. Those who nominated and confirmed me as Vice President were my friends and are my friends. They were of both parties, elected by all the people and acting under the Constitution in their name. It is only fitting then that I should pledge to them and to you that I will be the President of all the people.

 • When Gerald R. Ford took the oath of office on August 9,

• When Gerald R. Ford took the oath of office on August 9, 1974, he declared, "I assume the Presidency under extraordinary circumstances. . This is an hour of history that troubles our minds and hurts our hearts. " • It was indeed an unprecedented time. He had been the first Vice President chosen under the terms of the Twenty-fifth Amendment and, in the aftermath of the Watergate scandal, was succeeding the first President ever to resign.

Each New President Takes on the Problems of their Predecessor Ford was confronted with

Each New President Takes on the Problems of their Predecessor Ford was confronted with almost insuperable tasks. There were the challenges of: • Mastering inflation • Reviving a depressed economy • Solving chronic energy shortages and • Trying to ensure world peace And after “The Watergate Scandal”… • The distrust of the American People

Gerald Ford's presidential style emerged as he let photographers get up close during a

Gerald Ford's presidential style emerged as he let photographers get up close during a swim. After Nixon's impeachment, Ford wanted to project the image of an open presidency to restore public confidence in government.

A Month Into Office… The Unexpected Pardon http: //www. historyplace. com/speeches/ford. htm On September

A Month Into Office… The Unexpected Pardon http: //www. historyplace. com/speeches/ford. htm On September 8, 1974, one month after President Richard Nixon resigned the presidency amid the Watergate scandal, his successor, President Gerald R. Ford, announced his decision to grant Nixon a full pardon for any crimes he may have committed while in office.

After the Announcement • The American public was angered when Ford issued Nixon’s full

After the Announcement • The American public was angered when Ford issued Nixon’s full pardon and the Ford presidency suffered. • The following slides show a contrast in Ford accomplishing great things and the media’s slanted portrayal that Ford was inept. Did the Media bring further harm to a nation struggling to heal?

“The Full Pardon” September 8, 1974. President Ford announcing his pardon of Richard Nixon

“The Full Pardon” September 8, 1974. President Ford announcing his pardon of Richard Nixon from the Oval Office.

November 17, 1974 • Ford visits Japan -- the first visit to that country

November 17, 1974 • Ford visits Japan -- the first visit to that country by an American President.

July 26, 1975 • The President departs on his second trip to Europe --

July 26, 1975 • The President departs on his second trip to Europe -- "a mission of peace and progress" -- for visits to West Germany and Poland, and finally Helsinki to meet leaders of 34 other nations to sign the final act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe. He concludes his trip with visits to Romania and Yugoslavia.

The Media continued to slant their coverage of President Ford like in the caption

The Media continued to slant their coverage of President Ford like in the caption seen below. Photograph by: Wally Mc. Namee, “ 1975 President Ford slips and falls as he leaves Air Force One upon arrival in Vienna, Austria. Despite record-high unemployment rates at home, Ford continued to travel abroad on diplomatic missions. ”

Accomplishment: July 7, 1976 President and Mrs. Ford welcome Queen Elizabeth II to the

Accomplishment: July 7, 1976 President and Mrs. Ford welcome Queen Elizabeth II to the White House for a state dinner as part of the Bicentennial celebration.

Political Cartoon Depicts “Ford’s Position” with Congress by Huffaker

Political Cartoon Depicts “Ford’s Position” with Congress by Huffaker

Accomplishment: • He acted as a moderate force, working to maintain relations with the

Accomplishment: • He acted as a moderate force, working to maintain relations with the Soviet Union (left with Soviet General Secretary Leonid Brezhnev) and diffuse tensions in the Middle East. Although he lost his bid for re-election in 1976, Ford should be remembered for steering the country through difficult and volatile times.

 • After Ford was filmed stumbling as he walked down the steps of

• After Ford was filmed stumbling as he walked down the steps of Air Force One and tumbling on a ski slope, the comedian Chevy Chase began lampooning him on Saturday Night Live as an uncoordinated “bumbler. ”

 • Ford was often portrayed as clumsy and inept in the press. •

• Ford was often portrayed as clumsy and inept in the press. • Saturday Night Live staged weekly skits of cast member Chevy Chase playing the president as a blundering, gawky leader who was not to be taken seriously.

 • Despite this bumbling portrayal, Ford was actually very fit and athletic and

• Despite this bumbling portrayal, Ford was actually very fit and athletic and was no stranger to public service, having served 24 years in Congress. • Ford took the ribbing goodnaturedly, but it made an impression on the public.

Much, Much Later: October 27, 1999 Ford Receives the Congressional Gold Medal For Political

Much, Much Later: October 27, 1999 Ford Receives the Congressional Gold Medal For Political Accomplishments

FACT: • The Media has a responsibility to report to the American public the

FACT: • The Media has a responsibility to report to the American public the political events of the day. • It is the people’s right to know and it is the job of the press to report it.

FACT: • Like many other presidents, Ford was often subject to the media’s merciless

FACT: • Like many other presidents, Ford was often subject to the media’s merciless “slams” and “jabs. ” • Many feel this was due to “the pardon” of President Nixon.

Bibliography • • • • http: //www. whitehouse. gov/history/presidents/gf 38. html http: //www. biography.

Bibliography • • • • http: //www. whitehouse. gov/history/presidents/gf 38. html http: //www. biography. com/search/article. do? id=9298683&page=print http: //www. medaloffreedom. com/Gerald. Ford_Swearing. In. jpg http: //congressionalgoldmedal. com/Former. President. Gerald. Fordand. Betty. For d. jpg http: //aolsearch. aol. com/aol/image. Details? invocation. Type=image. Details&qu ery=President+Gerald+Ford&img=http%3 A%2 F%2 F http: //www. historyplace. com/speeches/ford. htm http: //img. timeinc. net/time/magazine/archive/covers/1970/1101700420_400. jpg http: //encarta. msn. com/media_461567805/Agnew_Resigns. html http: //stripes. com/photoday/050404 photoday. html http: //www. newsdesk. umd. edu/images/Agnew. Pics/agnew 1. jpg http: //aolsearch. aol. com/aol/redir? src=image&clicked. Item. URN=http%3 A%2 F%2 Fwww. rushyoung. com%2 Fusa%2 Fwashingtondc%2 Fwatergate. html& module. Id=image_details. jsp. M&clicked. Item. Description=Image Host URL http: //www. ford. utexas. edu/grf/timeline. asp#President http: //www. fordlibrarymuseum. gov/avproj/young-jerry-ford. asp