Introduction
In "An Ordinary Man," Richard Norton Smith provides a comprehensive and insightful look into the life of Gerald Ford, America's 38th president and the only one to have never been elected to the office. This extensive biography, spanning 700 pages, is the result of a decade-long research project involving thousands of documents, interviews, and secondary sources. While the book is packed with facts and details, its true value lies in the portrait it paints of Ford's character and the values that guided him throughout his life and presidency.
Gerald Ford's story is not just a historical account; it's a testament to integrity, bipartisanship, compassion, and competence - qualities that seem increasingly rare in today's political landscape. Smith's narrative invites readers to reflect on these values and their importance in leadership, making Ford's life not only a subject of historical interest but also a source of inspiration and guidance for contemporary times.
The Unexpected President
The path that led Gerald Ford to the presidency was as unexpected as it was extraordinary. In 1973, the United States found itself in the midst of a political storm. President Richard Nixon's administration was crumbling under the weight of the Watergate scandal, and his vice president, Spiro Agnew, had resigned due to corruption allegations.
Nixon, known for his political acumen, made a calculated move by appointing Gerald Ford as his new vice president. Ford, a long-serving congressman from Michigan, was seen as a safe choice - a reliable, unassuming figure who wouldn't threaten Nixon's position. In Nixon's mind, Ford's presence would deter the House of Representatives from impeaching him, as they wouldn't want to elevate someone like Ford to the presidency.
However, Nixon's plan backfired. The House, determined to address the corruption at the highest levels of government, pressed forward with impeachment proceedings. They viewed Ford as a preferable alternative to Nixon, despite his lack of national prominence.
On August 1, 1974, Ford learned that Nixon's resignation was imminent. In a testament to his integrity and discretion, Ford maintained his composure and secrecy during a dinner with friends that evening, simply apologizing for his quietness and claiming he might be coming down with a cold.
On August 8, Nixon announced his resignation, and at 12:05 p.m. on August 9, Gerald Ford was sworn in as the 38th President of the United States. In a matter of minutes, this "ordinary man" from Grand Rapids, Michigan, found himself at the helm of a nation in crisis.
A Public Servant
To understand Gerald Ford, one must look beyond his unexpected rise to the presidency and examine the values and experiences that shaped him. Unlike many who enter politics with their eyes on the White House, Ford's ambitions were more modest. His dream was to become Speaker of the House, a role he saw as the pinnacle of public service.
Ford's character was deeply rooted in his upbringing in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This town, built by Dutch Calvinists, instilled in its residents values of thrift, enterprise, community-mindedness, and a belief in plain speaking and self-improvement. Grand Rapids boasted an excellent education system and a high rate of home ownership, embodying the kind of property-owning democracy envisioned by America's founding fathers.
The Ford family epitomized these Grand Rapids values, living by the motto: "Work hard, tell the truth, and come to dinner on time." Ford often reflected on his boyhood with fondness, describing himself as "as happy a young man as you could find."
However, Ford's early life wasn't without challenges. Born Leslie Lynch King Jr. in Nebraska, his biological father was an abusive alcoholic. His mother, Dorothy Gardner, fled with her infant son to Chicago and later settled in Grand Rapids. There, she met and married Gerald Ford Sr., a paint and varnish salesman who gave young Leslie his name and raised him as his own.
These early experiences shaped Ford's outlook and influenced his later political decisions. For instance, one of his first votes in Congress was for a bill to federalize child support payments, an issue close to his heart given his mother's struggles. Years later, as president, he signed a similar bill into law.
Ford's approach to politics was marked by a lack of self-aggrandizement. On the same day he signed the child support legislation, he vetoed a bill to name a new federal building in Grand Rapids after himself. His reasoning reflected his down-to-earth values: presidents should be remembered for their actions and policies, not for monuments built in their honor.
Safeguarding America's Institutions
When Gerald Ford assumed the presidency, he faced a nation in crisis. The Watergate scandal had eroded public trust and faith in the country's institutions, creating the worst constitutional crisis since the Civil War. The political turmoil was compounded by economic challenges, including surging oil prices, inflation, and a new phenomenon called "stagflation" - a combination of stagnant growth, high unemployment, and inflation.
On the international front, the situation was equally dire. The U.S.-backed regime in Saigon was on the verge of collapse, signaling an impending loss in Vietnam. The NATO alliance was showing signs of strain, with communist influence growing in several European countries. To many, it appeared that America was losing the Cold War.
Ford acknowledged the extraordinary circumstances of his presidency in his first address to the nation. He understood that his primary task was to navigate these turbulent waters and restore stability to the country.
One of Ford's first major challenges came with the fall of Saigon in the spring of 1975. While he couldn't prevent the North Vietnamese victory, Ford took decisive action in the aftermath. He successfully persuaded a reluctant Congress to fund the resettlement of thousands of Vietnamese refugees in the United States, arguing that turning their backs on these people would be a moral failure on top of the military defeat.
On the economic front, Ford's administration combined fiscal restraint with targeted interventions to combat inflation, even at the cost of a recession. His foreign policy efforts were more successful, including the signing of the Helsinki Accords, which enhanced cooperation and security among European states, and the continuation of détente with the Soviet Union.
However, the most controversial and consequential decision of Ford's presidency came early in his term. On September 8, 1974, he pardoned Richard Nixon for all offenses related to the Watergate scandal. This decision was met with widespread disbelief and anger, with many accusing Ford of protecting his predecessor and subverting justice.
Ford's reasoning for the pardon was rooted in his desire to protect and restore faith in America's institutions. He believed that a prolonged trial of Nixon would only further damage the nation's fabric and prevent healing. Ford saw the pardon not as an act of forgiveness towards Nixon, but as a necessary step to allow the country to move forward and end what he called "our long national nightmare."
This decision, while unpopular at the time, demonstrated Ford's willingness to put the country's needs above his own political interests. He knew the pardon would likely cost him the presidency in the next election, but he believed it was necessary for the nation's recovery.
Advocate of Equal Opportunity
One of the most revealing aspects of Gerald Ford's character is illustrated by his lifelong commitment to equal opportunity, as exemplified by the story of Willis Ward.
In the late 1990s, affirmative action policies were under intense scrutiny. The Republican Party, Ford's own party, strongly opposed these policies, viewing them as reverse discrimination. Even many Democrats were hesitant to defend affirmative action openly.
In this climate, Lee Bollinger, the president of the University of Michigan, found himself struggling to gather support for his public defense of affirmative action. Many prominent figures, including liberal politicians, refused to back him. However, one unexpected ally emerged: former President Gerald Ford.
On August 8, 1999, Ford published an op-ed in the New York Times, making a powerful case for affirmative action. His argument was rooted in a personal experience from his college days at the University of Michigan over sixty years earlier.
As a senior and talented football player at Michigan, Ford had become close friends with Willis Ward, an African-American athletics scholar who was one of the team's star players. Ward had chosen Michigan after being promised that his playing time would be based on his talent, not his race.
However, this promise was put to the test when Michigan was scheduled to play against a team from the Deep South. The opposing team, Georgia Tech, refused to play if Ward was allowed on the field. After much deliberation, the Michigan administration shamefully capitulated, agreeing to keep Ward out of the game.
Ford was outraged and wanted to quit the team in protest. Ward, however, encouraged Ford to play and help defeat the racist opponents. During the game, Ford and his teammates stood up for Ward in their own way. When a Georgia Tech player insulted Ward, Ford and a teammate ensured that the offending player was taken off the field unconscious.
This incident left a lasting impression on Ford. In his op-ed, he argued that denying students the opportunity to learn from people like Willis Ward would be a step backward. He posed a simple question: Do we want to return to a time when people of Ward's character and ability were turned away from educational institutions? For Ford, supporting affirmative action was the only way to answer "no" to this question.
Ford's stance on affirmative action was a testament to his principles and his willingness to go against his own party when he believed it was right. It also demonstrated his lifelong commitment to equal opportunity and his understanding of the ongoing need to address racial inequalities in American society.
The impact of Ford's advocacy was evident when he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1999. Other recipients at the ceremony gravitated towards Ford, thanking him for taking a stand on an issue many politicians had shied away from.
Years after Ford's death, during a debate about whether to place a statue of Ford in the U.S. Capitol rotunda, the story of Willis Ward resurfaced. The debate was settled when a young Democratic senator named Buzz Thomas, who happened to be Willis Ward's grandson, recounted the story. The vote to honor Ford with the statue was unanimous, a fitting tribute to a man who had stood up for equality and justice throughout his life.
A Presidency of Healing
Gerald Ford's presidency, while brief, was marked by his efforts to heal a nation deeply wounded by the Watergate scandal and the Vietnam War. He came into office at a time when public trust in government institutions was at an all-time low, and he made it his mission to restore that trust.
One of Ford's first acts as president was to address the nation, acknowledging the extraordinary circumstances of his ascension to the presidency. He famously stated, "I am acutely aware that you have not elected me as your President by your ballots, and so I ask you to confirm me as your President with your prayers." This humble approach set the tone for his presidency.
Ford's leadership style was characterized by transparency and accessibility. He held regular press conferences and was known for his willingness to answer tough questions directly. This openness was a stark contrast to the secretive nature of the Nixon administration and went a long way in rebuilding public trust.
In terms of policy, Ford faced numerous challenges. The economy was in turmoil, with high inflation and unemployment. Ford's approach, which he called "WIN" (Whip Inflation Now), involved a combination of tax cuts and spending restraints. While these measures had mixed results, they demonstrated Ford's pragmatic approach to governance.
On the international front, Ford continued the policy of détente with the Soviet Union, culminating in the Helsinki Accords of 1975. These agreements, while controversial at the time, are now seen as an important step in reducing Cold War tensions and promoting human rights.
Perhaps the most difficult moment of Ford's presidency came with the fall of Saigon in 1975, marking the end of the Vietnam War. Ford oversaw the evacuation of American personnel and thousands of South Vietnamese allies, a chaotic and heartbreaking process that nonetheless demonstrated his commitment to America's moral obligations.
Throughout his presidency, Ford maintained his reputation for integrity and decency. He refused to use the office for personal gain or to settle political scores. His wife, Betty Ford, also played a significant role in humanizing the presidency, openly discussing her battle with breast cancer and substance abuse, issues that were rarely talked about publicly at the time.
Legacy and Final Thoughts
Gerald Ford's presidency, while short, left a lasting impact on American politics and society. His greatest achievement was perhaps the restoration of trust in the presidency and in government institutions more broadly. By being open, honest, and committed to the rule of law, Ford helped the nation move past the trauma of Watergate.
Ford's pardon of Nixon, while controversial at the time, is now generally viewed by historians as a necessary step for national healing. It allowed the country to move forward rather than remain mired in the past. This decision likely cost Ford the 1976 election, but it demonstrated his willingness to put the country's needs above his own political interests.
In the years following his presidency, Ford remained an elder statesman, respected across party lines for his integrity and wisdom. His support for affirmative action and gay rights in his later years showed that he was willing to evolve on issues and stand up for what he believed was right, even when it put him at odds with his own party.
Ford's life and career serve as a reminder of the importance of character in public service. He was, as his biographer Richard Norton Smith portrays him, an ordinary man who rose to extraordinary circumstances. His presidency demonstrated that qualities like integrity, bipartisanship, and compassion are not just admirable traits, but essential components of effective leadership.
In today's polarized political climate, Ford's example of putting country above party and principle above popularity is more relevant than ever. His life story, from his humble beginnings in Grand Rapids to the highest office in the land, embodies the American dream and the ideal of public service.
Gerald Ford may not have sought the presidency, but when thrust into that role, he provided the steady, honest leadership the country desperately needed. He proved that sometimes, in times of crisis, what the nation needs most is not a larger-than-life figure, but an ordinary man of extraordinary character.
As we reflect on Ford's legacy, we are reminded of the values that should guide our leaders and our nation: integrity, compassion, bipartisanship, and a commitment to the greater good. In an era of increasing political division and erosion of institutional trust, Ford's life and presidency offer valuable lessons and a model of leadership worth emulating.
Richard Norton Smith's biography, "An Ordinary Man," does more than just recount the facts of Ford's life. It provides a deep insight into the character of a man who, when unexpectedly thrust into the highest office in the land, rose to the occasion with humility, integrity, and a deep sense of duty to his country. Through Smith's meticulous research and engaging narrative, readers gain a newfound appreciation for Ford's role in guiding America through one of its most turbulent periods.
The book serves as a reminder that greatness in leadership doesn't always come from grand gestures or charismatic personalities. Sometimes, it comes from the steady hand of an ordinary person who, guided by strong principles and a sense of duty, does what is right rather than what is popular.
In conclusion, "An Ordinary Man" is not just a biography of Gerald Ford; it's a reflection on the nature of leadership, the importance of character in public service, and the resilience of American democracy. It offers valuable insights for anyone interested in American history, politics, or leadership, and serves as a poignant reminder of the qualities we should seek and value in our leaders.