Ford and Carter as presidents Flashcards
why did Ford and Carter needed to distance themselves from Nixon
The uproar generated by Nixon and Watergate prompted Presidents Ford and Carter to try to differentiate and distance themselves from Nixon and the imperial presidency with a new style of leadership
what did the American public hope for after Nixon
After Nixon, the American public hoped for a regular guy in the White House
how was Ford portrayed as
Described himself as a ‘Ford not a Lincoln’ - Ford were cars of ordinary Americans
Newsweek said he was ‘nothing any different from your next door neighbour’
Wife pictured pushing him in the pool
Had a reputation for decency, integrity and fairness
‘Man of the people’ image
when did Ford’s image end
The honeymoon period ended when Ford pardoned Nixon. His popularity never recovered. The ‘regular guy’ was just another politician after all
carters image
Defeated Ford in 1976 with clever tactics and media support
Devout Christian who had the support of the South
Relentless campaigner
Portrayed himself as a Washington outsider- nothing to do with political corruption
Sold the presidential yacht and wore casual clothes for a televised broadcast
Overall seen as a poor leader.
how did Ford and Carter fail despite their image
Despite their attempts to offer a new kind of leadership, both Ford and Carter are considered to have been exceptionally poor leaders. However, they were unlucky
why were Ford and Carter unlucky
Great and growing economic problems
Several international crises
Congressional determination to rein in the imperial presidency that Congress felt had reached its peak with Richard Nixon
Decreased respect for the presidency
Increased social divisions
decreased respect for the presidency
Ford was an easy target for disrespectful media coverage because of his informality and because he had not been elected president. LBJ’s joke that Ford had played football once too often was frequently cited. Ford was shown on TV falling over on ski slopes and stumbling down a plane ramp - The start of the satirical late-night show SNL in 1975 coupled with the effect of Watergate in diluting the prestige of the president allowed comedian Chevy Chase to impersonate Ford every week by stumbling and falling down stairs and saying the wrong things.
Ford and the aftermath of the Pardon
Tainted by the Nixon administration as well as the resignation of Spiro Agnew and the prosecution of Teddy Kennedy over the death of Mary Jo Kopechne
The pardoning of Nixon tainted Ford’s presidency- damaged relations with congress, public and media
Known as ‘Jerry the Jerk’ by conservative New Hampshire newspaper
In late 1974 Ronald Reagan described him as a ‘caretaker’ who had been in congress too long
Reagan ran for Republican nomination in 1976- Ford won but Reagan had humiliated him
