Gerald Ford has died.

He wasn't the greatest President, but he was one of the most likable men to occupy the office. He didn't take himself very seriously and laughed at every joke told about him.

I'm very sorry to hear about this.

The last actual conservative Republican to occupy the office. Conservatives have never scared me. I just don't agree with them.

pardoned Richard Nixon.

I didn't say I liked everything he did as president or even as House minority leader.

I just said he was a likable personality. When you're tired of hating the president (or the presumptive president, as the case may be), there's something to be said for that.

:(

Hopefully it wasn't the reanimated corpse of Richard Nixon, at least.

Seriously, RIP President Ford. The last sane Republican.

:hi: :cry:

:nodding:

The last centrist Republican., a.k.a. "moderate," as president. HIs views would make him a Democrat today.

Virtually the only living Republican I could respect -- now there are none.

This is very sad.

:(

but he lived 93 years, had a loving family and a lot of friends. He was also pretty active until recently. He had a darned good life.

.

truly respect, though of course he was far more human than W and his enablers and co-conspirators.

This and his subsequent funeral will be all over the news 24/7 for some time, I'm afraid. Meanwhile, for the first time since 1992, the Israeli government has approved a NEW West Bank settlement - a top BBC headline and surely a cause for concern - but the thread on this topic posted earlier tonight was immediately transferred to/buried in the Israel/Palestine forum and forgotten:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=2982466&mesg_id=2982466

I am sorry for his family's grief, but to me, so much else that is happening in the US and the world now is more important and will be under-reported by the press even more than usual in the frenzy over Ford's death and funeral.

It is sad to see him go.

I also liked the fact he never tried to muzzle Betty Ford, as other occupants of the Oval Office have tried to do with their wives. I admire Mrs. Ford's willingness to speak out about the disease of alcoholism and her own recovery.

I still remember the journalist that was inappropriate enough to ask Mrs. Ford while her husband was in office if she slept in the same bed with her husband. She responded (paraphrased), "As often as I can."

RIP, President Ford. I didn't always agree with you, but you were a true conservative with a heart.

Julie