Some Interesting Facts About President Ford

Special Report had some facts about President Ford that you may not have known:

Lasting Legacy

President Ford's most lasting legacy may be the appointment of John Paul Stevens to the Supreme Court. The former Chicago appeals court judge— who became a strong liberal as a justice — was actually picked by Ford's Attorney General Edward Levi— who was put in charge of the selection at the suggestion of White House Chief of Staff — Donald Rumsfeld.

Ford on Impeachment

President Ford wrestled with the issue of impeachment— before the Watergate scandal. Ford led the failed effort to impeach Supreme Court Justice William Douglas in 1970— partly over writings that appeared in a magazine— that also contained nude photographs.

Speaking on the House floor, Ford said, "an impeachable offense is whatever a majority of the House of Representatives considers it to be at a given moment in history."

Close Calls

As we told you earlier, Ford was the target of two assassination attempts— by two women— over the course of just two weeks— in California in 1975.

Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme— a follower of mass murderer Charles Manson—pointed a gun at the President— as he greeted well-wishers outside the state Capitol in Sacramento— but no shots were fired.

17 days later, Sarah Jane Moore fired a handgun at President Ford in San Francisco, but was grabbed by former marine Oliver Sipple— who forced the shot off target.

Both women remain in prison. And Fromme has never expressed any remorse.

Presidential Favorites

And the Gerald Ford Library and Museum reports— the late president was an avid stamp collector— and loved jazz— that he enjoyed golf, tennis, skiing and swimming— and as a Michigan man— was a fan of Detroit Tigers star — Al Kaline.
His favorite meal was pot roast and red cabbage — followed by a dessert of butter pecan ice cream. His hero was President Eisenhower.

And he said his most valued advice was — quote — "that which comes from my wife," Betty — with whom he held the record— as the longest-living First Couple.

The coverage of the passing of President Ford has been fairly generous toward Ford and his 2 1/2 years in office. The word "healing" is often used to describe the Ford administration and they way they handled the aftermath of Watergate and Vietnam. I can't help but think historians and pundits will treat Ford much better than they will Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, or both Bushes.