Gerald Ford

Brief Timeline  Born Omaha, Nebraska  University of Michigan football star  Yale Law School  WWII Navy  Marries Betty  House of Representatives – 25 yrs  Reputation for good character  First president to serve without being elected as pres or VP

Resignation  Inauguration Aug. 9, Sworn in minutes after Nixon’s resignation at noon (announced evening before) After taking the oath of office, Ford spoke to the nation in a television address: "My fellow Americans, our long national nightmare is over." "I assume the Presidency under extraordinary circumstances.... This is an hour of history that troubles our minds and hurts our hearts.” - Ford

Should Ford Pardon Nixon?

Ford Pardons Nixon - September 8, 1974 (1 month after Nixon resigns) Ford grants Nixon full pardon for any crimes he may have committed while in office

Economy Worst unemployment and inflation rates since Great Depression Whip Inflation Now (WIN) Campaign –Buttons, committees… “too gimicky” Supported Big Business Against govt intervention Vetoed many (39 in first 14 months) non-military appropriations bills that would have increased the already huge deficit –Despite Democratic controlled Congress – vetoes usually sustained

Foreign Affairs After fall of Cambodia & S. Vietnam, goal to maintain US prestige Pursued success in Middle East –Aided Israel & Egypt  interim truce agreement Oil Embargo of 1973 –Arab oil-producing nations punished US for helping Israel in the Yom Kippur War by cutting of oil imports –  gas prices increased 70% Continued détente with Brezhnev of Soviet Union –SALT II - series of talks between US and Soviet from 1972 to 1979 (curtail manufacturing & delivery of strategic nuclear weapons) –SALT II Never ratified due to Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979

First Lady Betty Ford Woman’s Rights Advocate –Abortion –Equal Rights Amendment –Breast Cancer –Feminism Alcoholism –Betty Ford Center –Congressional/Presidential Medal of Honor

Election of 1976 Low voter turnout High African-American turnout