Ford Administration Served As An Incubator For The Imperial Presidency’s Rebirth (Robert Parry)

[kpete]

Gerald Ford's Mixed Legacy

By Robert Parry
December 29, 2006


The disclosure that Gerald Ford opposed the U.S. invasion of Iraq but embargoed his objections until after his death fits with his contradictory legacy as a national leader who opposed the imperial presidency while laying the groundwork for its restoration.


After assuming the presidency on Aug. 9, 1974, Ford earned praise by demonstrating greater respect for Congress than the prickly and paranoid Richard Nixon. Ford also scored points with the public for toasting his own English muffins and acting like a regular guy.

..........................

Symbolically at least, Ford represented a repudiation of Nixon’s imperial excesses. Since Ford’s death on Dec. 26, that contrast between Nixon and Ford has been the theme of many eulogies, effusive praise for a common man of the Midwest who helped heal the nation’s bitter divisions from Watergate and Vietnam.

But in hindsight, Ford’s actions in the White House may have done more to salvage the idea of an imperial presidency than to shatter it. From the perspective of three decades later, the two-plus years of the Ford administration could be viewed more like a period of strategic retreat for the imperial presidency than a return to the traditional checks and balances envisioned by the Founders.

Indeed, given Ford’s appointment of Donald Rumsfeld, Dick Cheney and George H.W. Bush to key jobs, one could argue that the Ford administration served as an incubator for the imperial presidency’s rebirth – even if he personally opposed it.

more at:
http://www.consortiumnews.com/2006/122806.html

[ray of light]

1. Good article.

[Tellurian]

2. Nixon laid the groundwork FOR the abuse of Power..

I consider him to be the incubator and Ford the mask of honesty
while the evil gnomes did their dirty work behind the scenes.

In fact, GWHB leared a great deal from Nixon.
Never tape WH telephone conversations.

[Gman]

3. Ford was not Nixxon

nor was he Reagan, nor was he anything remotely like Bush.

I'm amazed at the people that apparently thing Ford was clairvoyant enough to foresee what was to be 30 years into the future and lay the appropriate groundwork to assure it happens. What a presidential marvel.

[blm]

5. Nah - Ford was more the MASK that hid the ongoing deceptions and secrecy of

the privileged who held the true power. You think Ford appointed GHWBush head of the CIA because he wanted an honest advisor in that role?

Ford was the same thing Clinton was - a coverup administration that masked the real fascist agenda of the BFEE.

NO MORE SECRECY AND PRIVILEGE - the cost to this nation and the world is TOO GREAT.

http://www.consortiumnews.com/2006/111106.html

[EST]

4. Robert Parry has it nailed - spot on.

This bullshit about Ford being an honorable man is the same sort of "honorable" that denotes the weak kneed, soft bellied vomitable characters that make up our democratic leadership and such right wing notables as Lincoln Chaffee and whatzisass from Ohio.

All the foil backed things we have been saying about the criminals that have taken over the US government were exactly true.

The vast majority of our idiot voters, who are either far too stupid or too willfully uninformed, represent the armada that the criminal cabal uses to wage war on decency and the rule of law. The habit of voting for the candidate we are attracted to or would like to be buddies with is criminal, as well.

"Electability" has driven our choices, coupled with a vast conspiracy to help voters do what is comfortable-remain uninformed and happy with their lot.

All republicans are criminals-period. Helping a crew of kidnappers and bank robbers makes you a crook as well, even if you work overtime to stay ignorant of your hero's crimes.

The democratic enablers are criminals as well, whether their criminality arose from enthusiastic participation or being forced to go along because of inability to get anything done otherwise.

With a very few very public exceptions, Kucinich being one, Feingold another, the entire government is one vast, corrupt operation.
They make me sick.

[Tellurian]

6. Robert Parry's assessments are off track and demonstrate a lack vision...

Parry is erstwhile in his assessments.

He fails miserably to integrate past known truths with contemporary events
forming progressive, viable conclusions by connecting the dots.