“My fellow Americans, our long national nightmare is over. Our Constitution works. Our great republic is a government of laws and not of men. Here the people rule.” –Gerald Ford


Gerald Ford

President Gerald Ford Dead at 93

In one of the great profiles in courage in American history, Gerald Ford pardoned Richard Nixon in 1974. That simple act left Gerald Ford politically dead. Today, 30 years later, Gerald Ford left the earth a better place for his fearless act. And he did it for the most noble of reasons. He cleared his desk of the scandal that was consuming his Presidency so that he could move on with the business of the country. America owes him a debt of gratitude for his sacrifice helping the nation heal in the wake of the vastly damaging Watergate scandal. Gerald Ford died today in California at the age of 93.

The full story is here.

Ford had battled pneumonia in January 2006 and underwent two heart treatments _ including an angioplasty and a pacemaker implant _ in August at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

“The American people will always admire Gerald Ford’s devotion to duty, his personal character and the honorable conduct of his administration,” President Bush said in a statement Tuesday night. “We mourn the loss of such a leader, and our 38th president will always have a special place in our nation’s memory.”

Ford was the longest living president, followed by Ronald Reagan, who also died at 93. Ford had been living at his desert home in Rancho Mirage, Calif., about 130 miles east of Los Angeles.

“I was deeply saddened this evening when I heard of Jerry Ford’s death,” former first lady Nancy Reagan said in a statement. “Ronnie and I always considered him a dear friend and close political ally.

“His accomplishments and devotion to our country are vast, and even long after he left the presidency he made it a point to speak out on issues important to us all,” she said.

Gerald Ford’s remarks upon signing the Nixon pardon are here.

President Bush’s statement on the death of Gerald Ford is here:

STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT

Laura and I are greatly saddened by the passing of former President Gerald R. Ford.

President Ford was a great American who gave many years of dedicated service to our country. On August 9, 1974, after a long career in the House of Representatives and service as Vice President, he assumed the Presidency in an hour of national turmoil and division. With his quiet integrity, common sense, and kind instincts, President Ford helped heal our land and restore public confidence in the Presidency.

The American people will always admire Gerald Ford’s devotion to duty, his personal character, and the honorable conduct of his administration. We mourn the loss of such a leader, and our 38th President will always have a special place in our Nation’s memory. On behalf of all Americans, Laura and I offer our deepest sympathies to Betty Ford and all of President Ford’s family. Our thoughts and prayers will be with them in the hours and days ahead.

Roundup: Wizbang, Blue Star Chronicles, Webloggin, Flopping Aces, Outside the Beltway, The Moderate Voice, Gun Toting Liberal, Malkin, Capain’s Quarters, CG Politics, Hedgehog Report.

[tags]gerald+ford, dead, legacy, nixon, pardon, died, president, presidency, reaction[/tags]