By Staff
"I'm a Ford, not a Lincoln."
These humble words, spoken by Gerald R. Ford before Congress, clearly demonstrated the depth of the man's character as he assumed the vice presidency.
Even before he took the momentous steps that would lead to him becoming our 38th president, Ford had already gained considerable respect in his 13 terms as Michigan's congressman from the Grand Rapids district – so much so, his colleagues named him the "Congressman's Congressman" in 1961.
Ford quietly distinguished himself in Congress as he had in the U.S. Navy during World War II, rising to House Minority Leader and even serving on the Warren Commission investigating the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
While he drew the ire of President Lyndon B. Johnson for his criticism of Johnson's Great Society programs, his disarming yet decisive manner helped him maintain his strong character. That character was evident when the Senate voted 92 to 3 on Nov. 27, 1973, to confirm Ford as the nation's 40th vice president.
However, Ford was little noticed nationally, even as President Richard Nixon's vice president.
As the Watergate scandal enveloped the Nixon administration, Ford's prominence swiftly rose when, barely eight months after becoming vice president Nixon resigned in disgrace, making Ford what many called "the accidental president."
His term in the Oval Office was the shortest of any president in the 20th century – just under two and a half years. Ford drew considerable criticism for pardoning Nixon – particularly without requiring a confession from him – but many now, including Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., have said Ford made the correct decision. After the Watergate scandal, the turbulent 60s and the upheaval brought about by the war in Vietnam, the nation needed healing. Ford's forgiveness started us down that road.
He may have come to the office "accidentally," and his stumbles – physically and verbally – may have robbed him of an elected term of his own right, but his level of character and conviction would have easily brought him to the White House legitimately if circumstances had not sent him down a different path.
Michiganders should feel proud of their statesman, as should all Americans.