Not a Chrysler or a ChevroletNot a Chrysler or a Chevrolet

TheThe

AdministrationAdministration

Gerald Ford – the ManGerald Ford – the ManStar football player at Star football player at U of M, fought with U of M, fought with the Navy in WWII.the Navy in WWII.Won House seat and Won House seat and served 25 years. served 25 years. Was Minority LeaderWas Minority LeaderSeen as hard Seen as hard working, full of working, full of integrity and was integrity and was dependable.dependable.

Ford at the Steering WheelFord at the Steering WheelNominated to serve in Nominated to serve in twice scandalized twice scandalized situations (VP & Pres)situations (VP & Pres)

Politically – nation Politically – nation was angry & distrustfulwas angry & distrustful

Economically – nation Economically – nation in the throes of in the throes of stagflationstagflation

Détente, Part IIDétente, Part II

The Helsinki AccordsThe Helsinki Accords

–Ford & Brezhnev sign Ford & Brezhnev sign document agreeing to document agreeing to basic human rightsbasic human rights

–Criticized for not Criticized for not pushing political rightspushing political rights

SALT II – limits SALT II – limits production of new armsproduction of new arms

‘‘75- South East Asia:Pride after the Fall75- South East Asia:Pride after the FallVietnam fallsVietnam falls–US, war weary, US, war weary,

declines to helpdeclines to help–Boat People: 1.5 MMBoat People: 1.5 MM

Mayaguez Incident – Mayaguez Incident – US marines free US marines free Cambodian held Cambodian held merchant ship crewmerchant ship crew–US gets glimmer of US gets glimmer of

hope & optimismhope & optimism

BICENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONBICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

SpaceSpace

Viking I & II Viking I & II Probes land Probes land on Mars on Mars

Space Space excitement excitement rekindledrekindled

Ford takes a turn… into a treeFord takes a turn… into a tree

Pledges to make Pledges to make government more government more transparent.transparent.

Ratings PLUMMET Ratings PLUMMET as he pardons as he pardons Nixon (so country Nixon (so country can begin to heal)can begin to heal)

Careening into Political OblivionCareening into Political Oblivion

Economy tanking as Economy tanking as inflation soaring and inflation soaring and unemployment rising…unemployment rising…

–Ford plan not Ford plan not working as working as businesses keep businesses keep failing (WIN –Whip failing (WIN –Whip Inflation Now) Inflation Now)

1976 Election – Ford: One & Done1976 Election – Ford: One & Done

Not seen as in controlNot seen as in control

–Challenged from Challenged from inside his party inside his party (Ronald Regan)(Ronald Regan)

US People US People disillusioned. Don’t disillusioned. Don’t trust or believe in trust or believe in government…government…

–Enter Jimmy CarterEnter Jimmy Carter

iCue Biography of Gerald Ford