Former U.S. President Gerald Ford has died, at the age of 93. This makes President Ford the longest lived president in U.S. history, having outlived Ronald Reagan by 45 days.
Gerald Ford was unusual in being the only president to have attained both the offices of president and vice-president without having been elected. He was appointed vice-president when Spiro Agnew resigned, and president when Richard Nixon resigned, both resignations being due to involvement in the 'Watergate' scandal.
He was unfairly depicted as clumsy, and bumbling, due to a couple of minor stumbles which received widespread publicity.
Gerald Ford served in the Pacific during WWII, attaining the rank of Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Naval Reserve, and was decorated on a number of occasions.

I have to say that I liked Gerald Ford - even though I suppose he was not exactly a landmark American president (talk about ending up in a mostly unexpected position, really). Was he equipped to be the Chief Executive? Probably not. Was he even partly politically ambitious enough to aspire to such a position? I doubt it. But he seemed loyal (maybe too much - pardoning Nixon was definitely pushing it at that time) and decent. I think his legacy will be better-than-average and his overall contribution became nicely worthwhile over time. And he certainly loved his wife and family - which is a true sign of a good man. RIP, Mr. Ford.

He seemed a very decent man, and one who always got a raw deal publicity wise. And as time passes and we unwittingly elect the next dishonest and or incompetent president - the badly portrayed yet innocent Mr. Ford looks better and better all the time.

I always thought he was a decent man and I agree he loved his family and his country.
I think he did the one thing he will be remembered for pardoning Nixon as what he thought the country needed and I think he got blasted unfairly for it.
RIP Mr.Ford.
PF

He was put in a very difficult situation-he did what he thought was right. His biggest fault-he was too honest(not that it is bad). As a democrat from his home state, I still had a great deal of respect for the man. History will show that he will not be vilified, but thought of highly.RIP Mr. President.

I have to agree with all of the comments about President Ford. Yes, he was very honest, as Jarsma63 said "too honest".

If all of the Presidents since Ford could have the same thing(s) said about them, I think the world or at least the USA would be a better place; but alas this is not to be so.

Personally, I have always thought of President Ford as our best President; aside from Lincoln that is...and that is saying a lot. I remember in 7th grade, my history teacher, Mr. Carducci wanted everyone in the class to select a President and write a 10,000 composition about said president...I chose Ford and received an A+, while everyone else in my class did theirs on either Kennedy or FDR.

Needless to say, I was praised for my orginiality, and was told that I did President Ford justice with my composition...that of course made me feel proud.

Rest in peace President Ford...and thank you for being our President.


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Agnes (JTJ)

I have two beefs with President Ford:
1) his slight rewording of a Warren Commission conclusion perpetuated the single-bullet theory nonsense.
2) his blanket pardon of president Nixon
a) enabled Iran-Contra
b) maintained Rumsfield & Cheney as respected politicians
c) enabled the current "Unitary Executive" constitutional law-breaking & oath-violation

Mr. Ford as an individual may have been a good man but his political actions may have helped to end the United States as a constitutional republic. To be continued...

Goodbye, Gerald Ford.

Hope the heat is something you can make an accomodation with (i.e. ice cream a couple times a year)