United StatesWho was Gerald Ford?
Gerald Ford (1913-2006) played football at the University of Michigan, earned a law degree at Yale and served in the Navy in World War II. Elected to the House from Grand Rapids in 1948, he became Republican leader in 1965. Nixon chose him as vice president in 1973 after Spiro Agnew resigned, and he became president when Nixon resigned in August 1974. A month later he pardoned Nixon, a decision that cost him public support. He faced high inflation and unemployment, clashed with a Democratic Congress over spending and energy policy and oversaw the end of the American presence in Vietnam. He narrowly lost the 1976 election to Jimmy Carter.
Political views
Granted Richard Nixon a full and absolute pardon in September 1974 for any offenses committed as president.
Source: millercenter.orgLaunched the Whip Inflation Now campaign and later proposed a tax cut to revive the economy, while vetoing most new spending bills.
Source: millercenter.orgCreated a clemency program for Vietnam-era draft evaders and military deserters.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgSupported the Equal Rights Amendment and favored a constitutional amendment letting each state decide on abortion.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgSigned the Helsinki Accords in 1975 with the Soviet Union and European leaders, recognizing postwar borders and committing signers to human rights.
Source: millercenter.orgSupported the resettlement of Vietnamese evacuees under the 1975 Indochina Migration and Refugee Assistance Act.
Source: en.wikipedia.org
Legacy
Ford is widely credited with restoring a measure of honesty and calm to the presidency after Watergate, and his reputation rose over time. The Nixon pardon was deeply unpopular and likely cost him the 1976 election, but many who criticized it, including Senator Edward Kennedy, later said it served the country by ending a divisive chapter. Critics argue that his economic policies did not solve stagflation and that his frequent vetoes produced stalemate with Congress. Conservatives within his party, led by Ronald Reagan, opposed detente and the Helsinki Accords. Critics have also faulted his administration's support for Indonesia's 1975 invasion of East Timor, which began a long and deadly occupation.