On Sunday's This Week with George Stephanopoulos, Time magazine Washington Bureau Chief Jay Carney called “unpardonable” the late President Gerald Ford's failure to share with the nation, as well as Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld -- who worked for him as Chief of Staff and Secretary of Defense, respectfully -- his discomfort with the decision to go to war in Iraq. "Had he spoke out at the time,” Carney sighed, “it would have had an impact.” This Week opened the roundtable with audio of Gerald Ford in a 2004 interview with Bob Woodward: "I don't think I would have ordered the Iraqi war. I can understand the theory of wanting to free people. I just don't think we should go hellfire damnation around the globe freeing people unless it is directly related to our own national security."
Carney's wife, ABC's Claire Shipman, echoed what she expressed on Thursday's Good Morning America (NewsBusters item by Megan McCormack) as she scolded Ford for cowardice since “he could have made a real difference” if he had spoken out: “If this was a man who was unafraid to take the hit on something like the pardon [of Nixon], this was a man who had the experience of Vietnam, presiding over the end of the Vietnam war, he clearly felt strongly about what was happening in Iraq, he could have made a real difference if he had decided to speak out."
I didn't catch anything about Ford and Iraq on NBC's Meet the Press, Fox News Sunday briefly touched the subject during its panel segment and CBS's Bob Schieffer raised it in his very first question on Face the Nation. He posed it to Tom DeFrank of the New York Daily News, who repeated his reporting that Ford had always been supportive of the war in interviews through eight months ago:
Bob Schieffer: “I want to ask you, because Bob Woodward really surprised a lot of people last week when he said Mr. Ford had told him back in 2004 that he was very opposed to the war in Iraq. He thought it was not justified, according to Bob Woodward, and he had some tough things, also, to say about former Secretary of Defense Don Rumsfeld and Vice President Cheney, who both worked for President Ford as young men. Were you surprised at that? And did he talk to you about that?”Tom DeFrank: “Well, I was very surprised about it, Bob, because I had four interviews with Gerald Ford after the war in Iraq began: '03, '04, '05, and then May of '06, as you mentioned. And in every one of those interviews, he told me he supported the war in Iraq. Now, the one, the one instance where my reporting and Bob Woodward's reporting intersects is the question of weapons of mass destruction. President Ford told me in May that he thought it was a big mistake for President Bush to have pegged the invasion of Iraq to the WMD issue. He thought that was a serious mistake. But he never said that he was opposed to the war. Quite the contrary in four different interviews.”
Schieffer: “Did he, what did he say about Vice President Cheney and Mr. Rumsfeld?”
DeFrank: “Well, he was very defensive about them, curiously or not. Now, in previous interviews, he, every once in awhile, would shake his head on a couple of things. But he was very supportive, very defensive. As a matter of fact, I asked him whether the famous op-ed piece that he wrote about Rumsfeld after the generals had said Rumsfeld should resign, I asked him whether anybody had asked him to write that article defending Rumsfeld. And I thought he was going to get out of his chair and grab me by the throat. He said, 'Nobody has to tell me to defend Rummy.' So he was very, very supportive of both of them. And I'm such, one of the reasons why I was surprised at what Bob got from him.”
Back to ABC's This Week: Following the audio clip at the start of the December 31 roundtable, the panelists, which in addition to Carney and Shipman included Donna Brazille and Dan Senor, discussed Ford's pardon of President Richard Nixon.
Claire Shipman then observed:
“I guess what I find interesting, George, is the footnote to Ford's career that we saw in his conversations with Bob Woodward, because initially I thought well that seems like classic Ford and he must have felt some sort of pressure in terms of presidential protocol, if you will, not to criticize a sitting President. But at the same time, if this was a man who was unafraid to take the hit on something like the pardon, this was a man who had the experience of Vietnam, presiding over the end of the Vietnam war, he clearly felt strongly about what was happening in Iraq, he could have made a real difference if he had decided to speak out.”
After some comments from Senor about the lack of impact of the revelation of Ford's anti-war view because Ford didn't have the affection conservatives felt for Ronald Reagan, Stephanopoulos prompted Carney to pick up on his wife's point:
“I want to go to Jay to pick up on Claire's point. What struck me about Ford is not only did he not speak up, but according to Woodward, at least, he never spoke to Cheney or Rumsfeld or the President even privately about this.”Jay Carney: “That is unpardonable and it reminds me also that there were figures -- because had Gerald Ford, whether or not movement conservatives respected him -- had he spoke out at the time, it would have had an impact. There are a number of figures, some of them who were serving in the government at the time who we now learn had serious reservations, Colin Powell comes to mind. You know, the White House was in total fear of Colin Powell. They knew there was one person in the administration who had more rock star popularity even than the President at the time of his highest popularity, if Powell signaled in any way the reservations that we now all know he had, it might have made a difference.”
The broadcast networks on Thursday and Friday, especially ABC and NBC, focused on the comments Ford made to Woodward in 2004 but not published until Thursday, after his death, in a Washington Post article headlined "Ford Disagreed With Bush About Invading Iraq." MRC CyberAlert item on Thursday morning and evening coverage. NewsBusters posting by Michael Rule about Friday morning. My Saturday night posting, “In Funeral Coverage, Fineman Can't Resist Raising Ford's Critical View of Iraq War.”
—Brent Baker is Vice President for Research and Publications at the Media Research Center
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
The poor duped MSM and Democrats.
December 31, 2006 - 18:02 ET by acaiguanaThe poor duped MSM and Democrats.
This is funny.
Had Gerald Ford, a man of some class, broken the basic rule of criticising sitting Presidents, like Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton feel free to do, we would not even be in Iraq.
Gosh, what a missed opportunity.
All the rest of the world was convinced that it was the right thing to do and on more than one occasion when offered the chance to vote against the war, even after we had been there 2 years, the Democrats en mass voted for it.
Gosh, what a missed opportunity.
If only Jerry had said something, publically.
And his reputation as a great statesman, his reputation as a Politician who, not by luck or circumstance, became President of the United States of America, if he had only spoken out...
The world would have stopped revolving long enough to listen.
Gosh, what a missed opportunity.
<sarc off>
ACA
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Acaiguana says: "Which city is next?"
Why wasn't Jimmy Carters obje
December 31, 2006 - 18:14 ET by PeskyDaneWhy wasn't Jimmy Carters objections enough? By omission, the Old Media admits that Carter is a dottering, bitter, buffoon who is only trotted out to serve their agenda.
Pesky - you left out "mi
January 1, 2007 - 10:24 ET by Free StinkerPesky - you left out "mindless", but otherwise I agree 100% ;-)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"One thing that seperates liberals from conservatives is that liberals are craftier and work without the hinderance of a conscience." --Lynn Wooley
Ford would have meant more
January 1, 2007 - 22:28 ET by americandudeFord's opinion would have carried more weight because he is a member of the same party and was seen as a mentor for some of the neocons (Cheney, Rumsfeld)
Trolls
January 1, 2007 - 22:52 ET by BlondeWell, I see the quality of the trolls has not improved one iota with the new year.
Too bad.
Same old DKos talking point libs.
Sheesh.
Hiya Blonde
January 1, 2007 - 23:01 ET by ownedWMD Found Hanging from Rope in Iraq
by Scott Ott
(2006-12-30) — The Pentagon announced this morning that a weapon of mass destruction (WMD) was found today in Baghdad, hanging from a rope on a platform.
“This particular WMD,” a Pentagon spokesman said, “is known to have killed thousands of Iraqis, as well as Iranians, Kuwaitis and some U.S. troops.”
The weapon is described as “a nasty, corrosive agent which kills indiscriminately and without warning.”
“A lot of folks — including Hans Blix, the United Nations and the Democrats — said there were no WMD in Iraq,” the Pentagon source said. “Perhaps they were just looking in all the wrong places.”
According to Iraqi government sources, the WMD has been contained, neutralized and prepared for burial.
Found this somewhere..........heheheheh
Back atcha Owned
January 1, 2007 - 23:07 ET by BlondeTres excellent!
You forgot to mention Charles de Gaul (kidding).
Good to see you back here. ;-)
As for Saddam....good riddance to that thing.
Are you this seriously misinformed or are you just s????.
January 1, 2007 - 23:14 ET by acaiguanaAre you this seriously misinformed or are you just s????.
To play on this site one needs to use their brain to learn about the history of the stuff one talks about; put some facts together instead of making silly unsubstantiated and moronic statements; and actually make sense.
None of which you have achieved yet.
ACA
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Acaiguana says: "Which city is next?"
ACA,My hope for the new year
January 1, 2007 - 23:19 ET by BlondeACA,
My hope for the new year has already been dashed.
The quality of the trolls has not improved one iota.
Alas, poor us.
Having said that (notice, I most certainly did not say....BUT).....I am greatly envigorated and rested and ready to slay all of the new dragons life cares to throw my way.
Bring it on!
Former Presidents and Children
December 31, 2006 - 18:09 ET by BlondeThere's an old saying....which was the way I was raised..."Children are best to be seen and not heard".
Which applies perfectly to former presidents.
Gerald Ford could certainly give lessons in taste and class to Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, the attention whores.
I believe it was the Germans
January 1, 2007 - 23:22 ET by Eric TurnerI believe it was the Germans who coined the phrase, "Reden ist silber, ruhe ist gold." ("Talk is silver [i.e., cheap], but silence is golden.") I'm probably wrong, but if you've ever lived in Germany you may see what I'm talking about. I would go to restaurants and never see a child, but I'd see a ton of dogs. They sure do LOVE them dogs.
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"Perpetual itching without benefit of scratching to the enemies of America." - July 4th toast during the Revolutio
"I can understand the
December 31, 2006 - 18:31 ET by robert108"I can understand the theory of wanting to free people." So now, freeing people is "a theory"??? Since when? It is what we have to offer the rest of the world.
A.) Woodward is known to manu
December 31, 2006 - 18:31 ET by Ten7sA.) Woodward is known to manufacture interviews and quotes; so unless he has it on tape and unless that tape has been verified by an independent and trustworthy third party, no one should believe Woodward.
B.) Former Presidents shouldn't involve themselves in National Security or other important decisions. And except for two notable exceptions which just happen to be the two living Democrat former Presidents, they haven't and don't.
C.) I quote this from Free Stinker, Chris Donohoe, and Sua Sponte 75,:
Good post but I went to your
December 31, 2006 - 22:43 ET by Joe YowsaGood post but I went to your link for point three under item 1 (one) and as I had suspected it was "the Ma'dan or so-called Marsh Arabs-the mostly Shi'a Muslim population that inhabits the marshlands". Please make a correction.
There you go again
January 1, 2007 - 10:36 ET by Free StinkerD~mn! My whole list has been invalidated!
I can now see we should not have been in Iraq.
/~Sarcasm Off
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"One thing that seperates liberals from conservatives is that liberals are craftier and work without the hinderance of a conscience." --Lynn Wooley
Doomed - we're all Doomed.
January 1, 2007 - 10:39 ET by acaiguanaDoomed - we're all Doomed.
ACA
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Acaiguana says: "Which city is next?"
Ford should have spoke out immediately
January 1, 2007 - 22:32 ET by americandudeYou wrote:
"B.) Former Presidents shouldn't involve themselves in National Security
or other important decisions. And except for two notable exceptions
which just happen to be the two living Democrat former Presidents, they
haven't and don't."
I can't agree at all. All Americans have a duty to speak out for their beliefs. Former Presidents are especially important because of their experience and stature. It's foolish not to take the advice of wise sages and wrong for them to withhold their opinion.
George Washington disagreed w
January 1, 2007 - 23:08 ET by UnsaneGeorge Washington disagreed with you. Also note that the amazing correspondence between Jefferson and Adams of the early 19th Century didn't really flourish until Jefferson left office.
(I also would be fascinated to see what your reaction would be if Bush the Younger began taking part in such behavior after 2009. Why do I think that your citing our ex-Presidents as "wise sages" will mysteriously not apply to him?)
"Socialism is the philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance and the gospel of envy." -Sir Winston Churchill, British statesman (1874-1965)
I suppose that would apply to our 'wise' Jimmy Carter???
January 1, 2007 - 23:21 ET by acaiguanaI suppose that would apply to our 'wise' Jimmy Carter???
My three legged dog is wiser than Jimmy Carter.
Thanks, but no thanks.
ACA
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Acaiguana says: "Which city is next?"
The dogs continue to bark a
December 31, 2006 - 18:32 ET by PabloHoneyThe dogs continue to bark and the caravan is two towns away.
Bob Woodhead
December 31, 2006 - 18:32 ET by Jerry MackBob Woodhead must be the most trusted person in the world. Why would President Ford tell him he was opposed to the war and not others? Look out for a new book!
Bag the dead Bob
December 31, 2006 - 21:36 ET by SportPoliticsBag the dead Bob faithfully decided to wait until President Ford was gone forever to reveal the secreted 2 year old "stark and harsh condemnation". Thank the lucky stars President Ford didn't have to live with his words known, and certainly Bag the dead Bob had uppermost in his mind Gerald's feelings when he kept himself silent until death parted any chance of embarrassment. How did we ever recieve such a shining light of a reporter who cares so deeply for the rules of engagement in our society ? We are truly blessed.
In 2004 I interviewed Saddam Hussein, and he told me, " I was working secretly with Al Qaeda through the terrorist that fled the first world trade center bombing in 1993, one of my former Guard cum laude Intel. I supplied Bin Laden money, fuel,passports, many of my intelligence agents with false identities stolen from Kuwait, an airplane to practice in, and young men and women to keep them amused, for 5 years, before they smited the 911 Devil, praise Allah and his Holy Prophet Mohammed."
I of course had to wait until George Bush and his Shia oil partners murdered the great man Saddam who was falsely accused of attempting to kill his Dad by cia implants and rubes, before revealing these very disturbing words he shared with me several years ago from his heart, after he bore the terrible bloodletting of his people when 41 told him he could have Kuwait it was no concern of ours, then reversed gears and caused a slaughter and ongoing international incident. May Saddam rest silently in peace, Allah willing.
Regarding Ford's statement.
December 31, 2006 - 18:37 ET by tracheostomyRegarding Ford's statement. What else would you expect from (with all due respect) an obsolete cold warrior? That mentality today is what's gonna get us killed. Terrorists and the states that support them don't play by the 1970s rules of engagement. Geez, they were still hijacking planes back then.
-PJ
http://www.draftcondi.us/
What about Bill Clinton? If h
December 31, 2006 - 18:50 ET by Donovan16What about Bill Clinton? If he had reservations why wasn't he required to 'speak out' about this war? They actually expect a 90 year old man in the twilight of his life to go on a nationwide media tour for their benefit. Liberals are truly pathetic
Was it me or was the final 'roundtable' of 2006 the worst? You had Donna Brazile the Democrat Political hack along with Carney whining over the taunts to Saddam before he was hanged. I just knew that neither one of them could force themselves to admit any good that came from the Death of a Dictator.
Then you have Claire Shipman who, bless her, tries not to be semi-fair and reasonable but let's face it, she is no Krauthammer.
If Stephy keeps bringing on these hyper-partisans like Brazile and Van Dan Huevel to discuss issues when everyone know what they're going to say coupled with their refusal to cede any points, ever, I'll not waste my time.
I lost my temper when I actua
December 31, 2006 - 20:30 ET by kathleenirishI lost my temper when I actually broke my rule AGAIN and watched this pathetic MSM/Clintonistas show, why,why, why? Donna Brazile: You are such a pompous ass, there must not be a mirror big enough to hold your self-absorbed, hauty image. God, is it really such a terrible thing that someone taunted the mass-murdering, weapons-of-mass-destruction-using Saddam? You would have found something else to bitch about, I'm sure, if they hadn't verbally abused him. Your sympathies are SO misplaced, you blubbering buffoon! There are a billion worse things to worry about. Also: I find it more than ridiculous, but noteworthy, that the media in general kept saying "The Shi'ites killed Saddam". His sentence was carried out by the democratically-elected Iraqi government. Something you give zero support or recognition of, why is that? Your words give away your agenda and biases. Pathetic displays of ignorance-is-bliss Sunday after Sunday. I had to bail at that point, so I missed all the rest of the elite media's parade.
The ex-presidents who are democrats are crass unAmerican traitors.
"He who has a thousand friends has not a friend to spare, and he who has one enemy will meet him everywhere" -Ali ibn-Abi-Talib, 4th Islamic Caliph
Oh Kathleen.....I just love y
December 31, 2006 - 20:42 ET by bigtimerOh Kathleen.....I just love ya gal! You have such a way with words! You speak volumes for me every-time you post!
Thank you gal....and many many more, hopefully, Happy New Years!
"If we ever forget that we are a Nation Under God....then we will be a Nation Gone Under." Ronald Reagan
Not obsolete
January 1, 2007 - 22:35 ET by americandudeFormer Presidents are not obsolete. They don't stop being Americans after leaving offfice. I doubt that Ford stopped following national affairs after he left office. The number of people supporting the Bush Doctrine is getting smaller and smaller by the day. We can add Ford to the list of dissenters. How long will it be before Colin Powell speaks out? Bush 41?
The Bush Doctrine, as much as
January 2, 2007 - 00:32 ET by UnsaneThe Bush Doctrine, as much as this pains you, is in force until 20 January 2009. It doesn't really matter what his poll numbers are, how many other people have sour grapes, how many other armchair quarterbacks there is.
Or is that what truly bothers you? Does it deeply irritate you that someone in office could make a decision and - gasp! - stick to it to the end???? Love him or hate him, that is what leaders do.
"Socialism is the philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance and the gospel of envy." -Sir Winston Churchill, British statesman (1874-1965)
I heard the 'Dynamic Duo' thi
December 31, 2006 - 18:51 ET by bigtimerI heard the 'Dynamic Duo' this morning...the new next so-called rock star couple in the elite leftist media...laughable isn't it?
Please just go away and be silent...do not teach our children.
"If we ever forget that we are a Nation Under God....then we will be a Nation Gone Under." Ronald Reagan
Liberal gossip days unleashed
December 31, 2006 - 19:20 ET by SportPoliticsNow that President Ford is dead, the liberals are on an all out spreee to discuss every gossipy theory and intimate detail about Watergate they presumably kept chested while Gerald was still breathing.
Of course it's a wonderful reminiscient journey for the rabid babbling psychos like Tim Russert, Deep Throat boy Woodward, and wrinkled bag eyed Brokaw on Meet the Press, relating every private imtimate detail they can recall, thereby extending and increasing their own self-aggrandizement and personal insider legacy, while thoroughly enjoying the event that made them a power in the government equivalent or more so than either of the three branches.
A thousand more visits upon Nixon's grave, and the grave of Vietnam will surely issue until all these ridiculously obssessed traitors draw their last breath.
Off it goes and back on The World's Strongest Man, before the Bears start whipping the Packers at 7:30.
Did you know that Ford's death means that Bush the fortunate son is like Nixon, and Iraq is Vietnam, and therefore Bush should go, but Cheney is no Ford ?
Da' Bears!My Chargers, Seahaw
December 31, 2006 - 20:22 ET by bigtimerDa' Bears!
My Chargers, Seahawks and Colts have made it so far into the playoffs...going to be interesting....eh?
Btw SP, I agree with your post, and I also heard somewhere today, just can't remember where or who at the moment, that Goldwater was really not a great friend of the real conservatives either whatsoever.....I was surprised anyway.
Happy New Year to ya!
"If we ever forget that we are a Nation Under God....then we will be a Nation Gone Under." Ronald Reagan
My apologies
December 31, 2006 - 19:28 ET by SportPoliticsIn other words, Woodward has now become a professional LIAR with his secret interviews. I don't believe Woodward or his deep throat reporter pal anymore, and thank the both of them for the destruction of the press and the institutionalization of secret and unnamed sources and reports we have seen since, all very convenient for breaking the law and remaining untouched, and their never ending personal reflection upon Vietnam and all that drugs, rock and roll, hating the USA, and controlling the elections and electorate and the government itself has wrought upon us. The slimey lies of the press exceed those of the average politician by tenfold, and insinuate a ridiculous and guarded insanity in politicans speech and a web of parsing words and deceptive cover against the unfair and foul spew reeling out from the MSM. I can barely watch 5 minutes of it anymore.
Having deified Bob Woodward l
December 31, 2006 - 20:19 ET by GalvanicHaving deified Bob Woodward long ago --- even more so than Carl Berstein --- the MSM believes every utterance he makes, to include the controversial declarations of dead men (e.g. Casey, Ford) made exclusively and seclusively to Lord Woodward.
But even worse than blindly accepting Woodward's credibility, is Carney and Shipman's extra mile, taking the alleged Ford statement and then condemning him for not speaking out publicly. "It could've made a difference." What crap! A former President is dead, and all these two schmucks can do is assault his integrity. Chalk up another one to the gutless idiots at ABC.
"Look at me, everyone! I
December 31, 2006 - 20:40 ET by kathleenirish"Look at me, everyone! I'm meek and mild, I'm Bobby Woodward, you have to trust me, just listen to my non-threatening, lovely, soft-spokenness. I see AND talk to dead people." Bleecchh!
"He who has a thousand friends has not a friend to spare, and he who has one enemy will meet him everywhere" -Ali ibn-Abi-Talib, 4th Islamic Caliph
If I'm not mistaken George
December 31, 2006 - 19:32 ET by HyunchbackIf I'm not mistaken George Washington set the policy of not kibutzing on his successor's performance. The man was a man. He put his pants on one leg at a time, but when he did something right he really did something right.
Ford may not have sought the position he inherited. He aquitted himself well, though, given the issues of the day.
He had every right, being an American citizen, to hold an opinion on the Iraq war. Being a man who knows the tradition and honors it he refused to let his opinion be used to bollocks the job for the man currently in the hot seat.
If Mr. Carney wants to start using the term "unpardonable" perhaps he should look to his own house, first. How often has Time magazine gotten the facts wrong? How often has bad reporting crossed his desk and been rubber stamped to go into the magazine?
What these pundits are sayi
December 31, 2006 - 20:13 ET by motherbeltWhat these pundits are saying is that it is the "duty" of former Presidents to second-guess the decisions of the current President. It would have made a difference????? Oh sure, everyone would have risen up against the war IF ONLY FORD HAD SPOKEN OUT! Give me a break!
Gerald Ford had the class to "butt out" once his time in office was up. A character trait that is lost on our two remaining ex-presidents.
"A character trait that
December 31, 2006 - 20:39 ET by Indiana Joe"A character trait that is lost on our two remaining ex-presidents."
Minor correction, motherbelt: "two OF OUR THREE remaining ex-presidents." Bush 41 never, to my knowledge, uttered one word against Bill Clinton while he (Clinton) was in office.
Or, if you prefer, "our two remaining Democratic ex-presidents."
Great call there IJ....I didn
December 31, 2006 - 20:47 ET by bigtimerGreat call there IJ....I didn't even think of that when I read it earlier about the former Pres. Bush....it is called decorum and protocol that all ex-Presidents had, that is before Carter and Clinton entered the arena....we get one more ex-President in there with the initial C and they are a democrat we know we are nothing but a communistic country...lol!
Btw...the Colts won! Happy New Year too!
"If we ever forget that we are a Nation Under God....then we will be a Nation Gone Under." Ronald Reagan
Glad to hear about the Colts,
December 31, 2006 - 21:37 ET by Indiana JoeGlad to hear about the Colts, bt. I'm practically in Illinois, and all we hear up here is "da Bears." Any chance of a "Colts/Bears" Superbowl? THAT would be pretty cool!
Happy New Year back atcha,
IJ
Youre right, Indiana, I for
December 31, 2006 - 21:02 ET by motherbeltYoure right, Indiana, I forgot 41!! Of course, that proves a point...he is so low-key I forgot he is there!! A class act that the other two would do well to follow. But their egos won't let them.
If Carter and Clintoned elect
December 31, 2006 - 20:51 ET by GalvanicIf Carter and Clinton elected to break the "unwritten rule of silence" on publicly criticizing th epolicies of their successors, so be it. They are protected by the First Amendment.
But for MSM weenies to criticize Ford for not breaking the rule demonstrates just how deep they'll go in order to put down a former President. I may have disagreed with Ford's pardoning of Nixon, but I never doubted that he was an honest man of moral courage and great integrity who did what he thought was best to heal our nation. Shipman and Carney aren't even fit to retrieve his newspaper on all fours.
Class Not Understood by MSM
December 31, 2006 - 21:46 ET by grampusBush 1 exhibits & Ford exhibited class as ex-presidents...not the traitorist actions and lies of Clinton & Carter. But as liberals, they have no concept of honor, integrity or ethical actions.
Ford did not butt out
January 1, 2007 - 22:39 ET by americandudeCan't agree with your characterization of Ford. What he did was actually cowardly. By allowing Woodward to use the interview after his death, he knew it would be inserted into the debate and would hurt Bush. If he really had the character trait you idealize (and I scorn), i.e. keeping one's dissenting views silent, he would have kept this mouth shut, period. The cowardly part is that it comes out when Ford does not have to deal with the backlash.
The fact that President Ford
January 1, 2007 - 03:12 ET by Right Wing Attack DogThe fact that President Ford was a Republican, and his pardon of President Nixon disqualified him from common courtesy, decency, or respect from leftards in life or death.
peggy noonan extolled ford
January 1, 2007 - 03:46 ET by tumbler_2007Read her Dec 29th column, where all of Gerald Ford's great qualities are recalled. Once more Peggy hits the mark perfectly.
I remember the year I voted f
January 1, 2007 - 09:41 ET by Andrew H.I remember the year I voted for Gerry Ford--it seems to me I thought at the time his wife may have cost him the election; I believe it was her comments on abortion--and we wound up with an utter failure for a President. I could be very wrong and the pardon gave the self-righteous left enough momentum to carry the day. But we rue the day and the long four years of ineptness and cowardice so that we are faced with islamofacism today.
Liberalism is a convenient lie.
Carney--you're unpardonable.
January 1, 2007 - 09:37 ET by Andrew H.Carney--you're unpardonable. President Ford was his own man. President Bush is his own man. Decisions have to be made to protect the country and everyone who enjoys freedom--including you. Thankfully, hundreds of al qaeda have been neutralized so these can't fashion an attack on our shores.
Besides, you assume he never shared his opinion--but I haven't seen or heard anything definitive that he didn't--it very well could be that he did. Your use of the word unpardonable would seem that you oh, exalted one have judged President Ford. As far as I know you have no standing to even come close to doing that.
Liberalism is a convenient lie.
Turning the purported situati
January 1, 2007 - 11:37 ET by Chris NormanTurning the alleged situation around, if President Ford (was this statement made from his deathbed, while in a coma?) had supported the decision to go to war, would the hyenas have said that the decision, then, was the correct one?
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
Aging President Ford, appearing somewhat out of touch at times.
January 1, 2007 - 11:40 ET by acaiguanaAging President Ford, appearing somewhat out of touch at times...
Need I go on?
ACA
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Acaiguana says: "Which city is next?"
ac,Seems like the MSM cherry
January 1, 2007 - 11:42 ET by Chris Normanac,
Seems like the MSM cherry picks the statements made by Republicans, highlighting only those which support their liberal biases - out of touch, not - it doesn't matter to them...
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
i live in rm. the father of
January 1, 2007 - 12:38 ET by buddyci live in rm. the father of m. bechloss lives here. i guess m. bechloss also interviewed ford. the father was on the local CBS station attacking bush over iraq in the same way. I WOULD NOT BELIEVE ANY OF IT.
ford was an old man. he is the same age as my father who was also a politician. i can tell you that politicians are publicity whores. because 99% of the media is liberal they have no choice but to talk with liberal media scums. i am sure ford, like my father, tells whoever he is talking to what THEY WANT TO HEAR. people of this age crave attention.
my point is i would not believe the media on anything they attributed to a 90 year on senile man who is now dead for two reasons: 1. the person is dead and can't explain what was said. 2. liberal media scums cull, prod, push and lead. it is easy to question in a leading manner someone of that age with the normal mental infirmaties they have.
ford was a good man. he was not a good president. he lived and died with dignity. he respected the office he held. he did not disgrace it like clinton and carter have done.
the press preyed upon an old man who because of his condition was not able to understand the consequences of what they were doing to him.
My take on Ford's statement
January 1, 2007 - 13:08 ET by misterbill" I just don't think we should go hellfire damnation around the globe freeing people unless it is directly related to our own national security."
My continuance:(fantasy)
"yes, I would have just nuked every f$%^ing one of them and had done with it. But, then again. I am an old man and very impatient."