Ford Disagreed On Iraq? Yes, We Can Print That!

Date December 31, 2006

smallford.jpgOK. Call me a cynic. You wouldn’t be the first. But how many times can you remember hearing someone quote President Ford on anything in the last 10 years? I only needed one hand. Unless it was a History Channel documentary on Watergate or Nixon, you just don’t hear much about this former President. Let’s face it. CBS didn’t even interrupt programming to share news of Ford’s death.

Now that the memorial services have started every network is in full swing, covering his birth, his death, and a few highlights in between. This is (of course) as it should be.

However, I am shocked by the sudden surge among the media to quote the man of foreign policy. Everyone seems to be talking about what President Ford thought, at least about the war in Iraq. Why? I think we know why. Just ask Bob Woodward and his article in the Washington Post. The best way to side with mainstream media is to side against George W.

Of course, we all know there are usually two sides to every story, even ones printed in the Post. Case in point from from the Daily News. But the former President’s opinions are still enough to grant him arguably more press coverage than he enjoyed anytime after his Presidency.

Take, for example, the upcoming Newsweek cover.
newsweekcover2.jpg
Newsweek Cover
To drop Jan 8, 2007

Quotes below from Drudge.

Even before news came of Saddam’s execution, there was debate at the magazine about whether Ford’s death merited a cover story; some dismissed him as a “transitional” president, explains the magazine’s Jon Meacham.

Now, to be fair, Meacham goes on to explain why he decided to use Ford instead of Saddam for the cover’s top spot.

“I felt differently. There is much to learn from Ford’s legacy-one that we explain and explore in detail-and his brief, 29-month presidency shapes us still. This is not to say that Saddam is an unimportant historical figure: we have twice gone to war against him, and many American soldiers have died fighting him and his regime. But his death in 2006 matters less than his removal in 2003 does. America faces a terrible predicament in Iraq, and that predicament is the same today as it was on the day before Saddam was hanged.”

He continues: “There could be no greater contrast than that between Gerald Ford and Saddam Hussein, and word of Saddam’s death illuminated Ford’s grace and generosity even more.”

Forgive me if I find this explanation questionable. But then again, I’m jaded.

I do of course respect President Ford’s opinions, and I am very impressed with the manner in which he expressed those contrary to the policies of a sitting President (that is with discretion and respect). According to other news stories, these were opinions that he himself expressed to President Bush. (And I’d bet President Bush agreed in hindsight with most, if not all of them).

Farewell, President Ford. And thank you for your service to our country before, during, and even after your Presidency.

Category Posted in Politics

One Response to “Ford Disagreed On Iraq? Yes, We Can Print That!”

  1. la said:

    January 4th, 2007 at 2:28 pm

    Yes, it has been grimly amusing to watch his death politicized, although not at all unexpected. We’re talking about a man whose presidency was so unremarkable as to have made Jimmy Carter electable. If you are going to have to talk about him for 72 hours straight, I’m sure that you’re going to look for something interesting to say about him. Doesn’t seem right to go for the whole Betty Ford Treatment Center angle.

    Consider how different it was when Ronald Reagan passed. That was an occassion of true national mourning. I agree that we shouldn’t speak ill of the dead, and I’m sure that he had many redeeming characteristics. It’s a shame that the media is making some random out-of-context remarks that he made his legacy. But really, what else can we expect?

Leave a Reply