Reply #7: I don't think so

[solara]

Not all registered Republicans were ethically challenged 30-odd years ago

From all accounts Ford was viewed as a pretty decent guy, for a politician. I think he was being honest when he said he pardoned Nixon to end all the crap about Watergate so he could tend to business. Ford's unexpected presidency threw him into alot of heavy stuff ..

First, the Scandal of Watergate was very disturbing and frightening and was tearing this country apart. I think Ford agreed to step in as VP to help 'hold the line' because he was a team player all the way, and not just the Republican team either, although I am sure it pained him greatly to see the depths to which his party had fallen.

Then there was the unprecedented shock of a PRESIDENT actually resigning..which was totally unreal, very painful and unsettling even if you were anti-Nixon and knew he was a criminal; then, there was the end of the Viet Nam War to deal with, the Russians, oil problems etc etc.

Ford was selected to replace Agnew because he was fairly benign and relatively clean.. not because he was prepared for the presidency...those were some pretty big shoes to fill, no matter who had been wearing them, and besides, who knew Nixon would actually resign?

:shrug: