What Made Gerald Ford a Good President?
From August 6-9, the Ford celebrated the 50th anniversary of Gerald and Betty Ford becoming president and first lady of the United States. The museum opened a new exhibit on the Ford presidency and the foundation hosted an array of speakers—Mike Ford, Steve Ford, Carla Hills, Al Zapanta, and Richard Norton Smith, among them. Hundreds of appreciative “Fordies” came to Grand Rapids from as far away as Canada, Puerto Rico, California, Texas, Virginia, and New York. They gathered at the Ford campus on the banks of the Grand River to pay homage to an unassuming midwesterner to whom the task was given to shepherd our nation through one of its toughest times. In the months immediately before and after Richard Nixon’s resignation, on August 9, 1974, the US had to stare down a potential constitutional crisis, weather its worst economic conditions since the Great Depression, and surmount worrisome civic challenges. During the 895 days of his presidency, Gerald Ford proved up to the task. The nation recovered its self-confidence and saw their president quietly transform from being a capable politician to a stalwart statesman.
The Constitution
Many people have asked how Gerald Ford became president. After all, his journey to the White House was as compelling as it was rare. Prior to his taking office as our 38th president, he never campaigned to be America’s chief executive and commander in chief. He aspired only to be Speaker of the House, an ambition denied. His jump from the legislative branch to the executive branch—first as vice president and then as president—was made possible by the corruption in the Nixon administration, the terms of the 25th Amendment, and the votes of his colleagues on Capitol Hill.
Character
Perhaps more interesting than how Ford became president is what made him a good president. It started with character. From an early age, Ford learned, practiced, and embraced the virtues. Thanks to his family, faith, and fraternity of Boy and Eagle Scouts, he learned that truth was the glue that held government and civilization together. All his career, people on both sides of the aisle trusted him. After the resignation of Spiro Agnew from the vice presidency in October 1973, Democrats as well as Republicans in Congress voted overwhelmingly to make Ford the nation’s 40th vice president, knowing full well that within months Nixon might resign or be forced out of office. It was a vote they would not regret. Whatever policy differences that might have existed between Republicans and Democrats a half century ago, they were united in their belief that character was king.
Curiosity and Competence
In addition to Ford’s character were his curiosity and competence. A graduate of the University of Michigan and Yale Law School, he was no slouch. His quarter-century in the US House of Representatives, where he served as the Republican congressman from Michigan’s Fifth District, proved to be the crucible in which Ford mastered the federal budget, military affairs, foreign relations, and economic policies. He was a keen student of the way our republican government worked, and it showed in his ability to take good ideas and help craft them into lasting, bipartisan legislation.
Not many people are aware that Gerald Ford was the first Republican to set up a White House think tank. Robert Goldwin, Daniel Boorstin, and other scholars were invited to contribute ideas directly to the president, fostering a culture of intellectual rigor and open-mindedness within the Ford administration. Ford’s curiosity about different perspectives and his respect for expert knowledge demonstrated his commitment to thoughtful governance and policy innovation.
The Courage to be Compassionate
Ford’s courage was renowned, and he exercised this virtue in the toughest situations imaginable. As Ford himself said, the pardon of former President Richard Nixon was necessary to heal a nation deeply divided by the Watergate scandal. Our country needed to move forward; years’ long legal proceedings against a former president would only exacerbate the wounds that had already been inflicted on the national psyche. Ford’s decision, though unpopular at the time, is now often seen as a crucial step in restoring public trust in the government and helping our country recover from a dark chapter in its history.
To pardon Nixon, Ford grafted the virtue of courage onto that of compassion. It was not the only time he needed the courage to be compassionate. At the end of the Vietnam War, his administration orchestrated Operation Babylift and Operation New Life, which evacuated thousands of Vietnamese children and refugees to the United States. These operations were not popular with his Cabinet or the American people, but they reflected Ford’s deep humanitarian instincts and his belief that America had a moral responsibility to help those displaced by war and threatened by communist retribution.
Ford’s Legacy
Throughout his presidency, Ford’s steady leadership was a source of reassurance amid extraordinary upheaval. His legacy is one of integrity, humility, and dedicated public service. He assumed the presidency at a time when faith in American leadership was at an all-time low, yet he managed to restore trust to the office. Ford’s decency, his unpretentious demeanor, his straightforward communication style, his deep commitment to the Constitution and the rule of law—all these earned him the respect of fellow citizens and world leaders alike.
In the decades following his presidency, Ford remained an active and respected voice in public affairs, offering counsel and insight on a range of issues. He became a symbol of what it means to lead with honor and to place the interests of the nation above personal or partisan gain. His life and career continue to serve as an example of the values that are essential to the health and stability of our constitutional republic.
As we reflect on the 50th anniversary of Gerald and Betty Ford’s time in the White House, we celebrate their legacy of quiet strength, sacrificial compassion, and unwavering commitment to the principles that define the American experiment. In celebrating their contributions, we are reminded of the enduring importance of leadership that prioritizes the common good and seeks to unify rather than divide. Ford challenges us to embrace our own awesome responsibilities as citizens and strive always for the betterment of our nation.
