At a time when too many politicians are obsessed with their poll numbers and their legacy, Pew Research says Gerald Ford will go down in history as just an “average” president.
An “average” rating would devastate most elected officials, yet that wouldn’t haunt the 37th president. Far from your “average” leader, Ford was willing to suffer defeat to do what he believed was best for our nation.
Much of Ford’s public image was reshaped when he pardoned Richard Nixon one month after Nixon resigned. One of the nation’s most vilified presidents, Nixon was about to be impeached for his role in the Watergate break-in.
Pardoning Nixon touched off a national firestorm. Ford, the well-liked and respected House minority leader, immediately became one of the nation’s most despised politicians. read more »