Gerald Ford: 1913 - 2006

Gerald Ford, 38th President of the United States, died last night at 6:45 at his home in California. He was 93.

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I wasn't alive during the Ford Administration, so any effort at an obituary is better left to others. I do know that when he is remembered, two things will overshadow all of his other accomplishments: He was the only President to hold office without being elected and he pardoned Richard Nixon.

Perhaps the most timely piece of Ford's history is the primary challenge from Ronald Reagan in 1975-6 that caused Ford to drop his more liberal Vice President, Nelson Rockefeller, in favor of Bob Dole. The 'Rockefeller Republican' has been in retreat since then.

Gerald Ford