Gerald Ford: Unelected
2023-11-19
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1VOA Learning English presents America's Presidents.
2Today we are talking about Gerald Ford. Ford was the 38th president, but he was never elected to the position.
3Instead, an unusual series of events brought him there.
4Many historians have described Ford as a good man facing a difficult situation.
5He tried to fix a troubled economy, end United States' involvement in Vietnam, and show people that the U.S. government could continue to operate after a crisis.
6Critics from the two main political parties had problems with Ford's efforts.
7And voters did not elect him president when they had the chance in 1976.
8But he is remembered in American history for making many voters feel better about their elected officials.
9When he was born, the future president was given his father's name: Leslie Lynch King.
10But the boy's father was abusive.
11His mother separated from him a short time after their son was born.
12She asked a court for permission to cancel their marriage.
13Her request was quickly approved.
14She and the boy moved from the Midwestern state of Nebraska to Michigan.
15In a few years, the mother married a man named Gerald Ford. The couple had three sons together.
16The new family was warm and loving.
17In time, the oldest boy officially took his step-father's name and became Gerald Rudolph Ford, Junior. He was called Jerry for short.
18Growing up, Jerry Ford was a well-liked person and a good student.
19He was also a top football player.
20He was named the most valuable player on his team at the University of Michigan
21. After finishing college, he was offered work with professional football teams.
22But Ford wanted to continue his education instead.
23He accepted coaching positions for the football and boxing teams at Yale University in Connecticut.
24In time, he attended the law school there.
25Ford's path to politics was similar to that of other presidents during that period.
26He worked at a law office in his home state. He fought in World War II. He married.
27Ford's wife was Elizabeth Bloomer.
28Her friends called her Betty.
29She had been a dancer and worked as a fashion model.
30The Fords went on to have four children.
31When Gerald Ford was 35 years old, he launched his political career.
32The Republican Party chose him as its candidate for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
33Ford was elected to represent his home area of Grand Rapids, Michigan.
34But unlike many other politicians, he did not move on to the Senate or become governor of a state.
35Instead, he stayed in the House of Representatives for 25 years.
36The job of congressman was, in many ways, a good choice for Ford.
37He was well-liked by many voters and other lawmakers.
38He could help different groups come to agreement.
39He took increasingly important positions on political issues, and in time became the top person in his party in the House.
40Ford was a strong supporter of Republican presidents.
41In the 1968 election, Ford advocated for Richard Nixon.
42Ford liked Nixon's plans for the United States, as well as his efforts to improve relations with China and the Soviet Union.
43Both Ford and Nixon were re-elected to their positions in 1972.
44But by then, major problems had come to light in Nixon's administration.
45One problem in the early 1970s related to Nixon's vice president, Spiro Agnew.
46Agnew had been vice president since 1969.
47Five years later, officials found evidence that he had accepted money from contractors, both while Maryland's governor and as vice president.
48In answer, Agnew resigned from the vice presidency.
49Normally, voters elect a vice president along with a president every four years.
50But by coincidence, the U.S. Constitution had recently been updated to say what happens if the country needs a vice president unexpectedly.
51It states that the president has to nominate someone for the position.
52Then, a majority of lawmakers in Congress must agree.
53So, in 1973, Nixon nominated Gerald Ford to take Agnew's position.
54Nixon was not especially close to Ford.
55But, he knew a majority of lawmakers would likely accept him as vice president.
56They did.
57However, Ford did not serve in the position long.
58In eight months, another unexpected event put him in the Oval Office.
59In August 1974, President Richard Nixon resigned from office. He was the first president to do so.
60As a result, the vice president, Gerald Ford, became president.
61Ford was sworn-in as president on August 9, 1974.
62Then he spoke to the nation on television.
63He said, "My fellow Americans, our long national nightmare is over."
64He told people, "Our Constitution works. Our great republic is a government of laws and not men."
65The public had understandably lost a good deal of faith in government officials, and especially in Richard Nixon.
66Ford wanted to re-establish their trust.
67But a few weeks after taking office, Ford used his presidential powers to pardon Nixon.
68The pardon meant that Nixon would never face a criminal trial or, if found guilty, punishment for his actions.
69Ford said he believed pardoning Nixon would help Americans begin to recover from their painful experience with the former president.
70But instead, the move angered many people.
71They believed that Nixon should be held responsible.
72They also lost some of their trust in Ford.
73In addition to these political troubles, Ford faced other difficult issues.
74The American economy was struggling.
75His administration had to deal with unemployment, inflation and the lasting effects of an energy crisis.
76The high price of oil imports came at a time when Americans were using more and more gasoline.
77Ford took steps aimed at improving the economy.
78But critics said he was not consistent.
79Some criticized him for increasing government spending and cutting taxes; others criticized him for reducing government spending and raising taxes.
80Ford also oversaw the withdrawal of Americans from Vietnam.
81An earlier agreement had brought a ceasefire to groups in South Vietnam, North Vietnam, and Communist forces.
82The U.S. officially withdrew its combat troops in 1973.
83But the fighting restarted.
84Ford asked Congress to approve military and humanitarian aid for the area.
85But U.S. lawmakers did not approve the full amount.
86And in time, they cut military aid.
87In 1975, Communist forces began to take control of Saigon, the capital of South Vietnam.
88Ford ordered all remaining Americans in the country to leave, along with any South Vietnamese who were connected to the United States.
89He said that, as far as Americans were concerned, the Vietnam War was finished.
90Americans did not appear to blame Ford for the troubling end of the country's involvement in Vietnam.
91And some recognized that the country's economic and energy problems had started long before he became president.
92But, in general, Ford did not have the support of Congress.
93And many voters did not forgive him for pardoning Nixon.
94In 1976, Ford officially campaigned for president for the first time.
95He won his party's nomination in a close race against Ronald Reagan, the former governor of California.
96But he lost the general election to the Democratic candidate, who said one of his best qualities was that he did not have experience in the federal government.
97The argument appeared persuasive to many voters, who still did not appear to be enthusiastic about the government.
98In the 1976 election, nearly half of all people who were legally able to vote chose not to.
99Ford left the presidency graciously.
100He said that, because he had not planned to be president, he was thankful for the unexpected opportunity.
101Although Ford said he was ready to retire from politics, he continued to be active in public life.
102He advised others on government affairs, published books, and sat on boards and committees.
103His wife, Betty Ford, also left a lasting effect on the public.
104As first lady, she had spoken about her experience with breast cancer.
105After her husband left the presidency, she also spoke openly about her battle with alcohol and drug abuse.
106In 1982, Betty Ford co-founded the Betty Ford Center in California to help people get treatment for drug addiction.
107She announced her husband's death in 2006. Gerald Ford died of heart disease at the age of 93.
108By that time, most the public had accepted that one of Ford's biggest achievements was to help the country recover after Nixon resigned.
109President Bill Clinton gave Ford a Presidential Medal of Freedom for his efforts.
110And even Jimmy Carter, who beat Ford in the 1976 presidential election, began his inauguration speech by thanking Ford.
111Carter said, "For myself and for our Nation, I want to thank my predecessor for all he has done to heal our land."
112I'm Kelly Jean Kelly.
1VOA Learning English presents America's Presidents. 2Today we are talking about Gerald Ford. Ford was the 38th president, but he was never elected to the position. 3Instead, an unusual series of events brought him there. 4Many historians have described Ford as a good man facing a difficult situation. He tried to fix a troubled economy, end United States' involvement in Vietnam, and show people that the U.S. government could continue to operate after a crisis. 5Critics from the two main political parties had problems with Ford's efforts. And voters did not elect him president when they had the chance in 1976. 6But he is remembered in American history for making many voters feel better about their elected officials. 7Early life 8When he was born, the future president was given his father's name: Leslie Lynch King. 9But the boy's father was abusive. His mother separated from him a short time after their son was born. She asked a court for permission to cancel their marriage. Her request was quickly approved. 10She and the boy moved from the Midwestern state of Nebraska to Michigan. In a few years, the mother married a man named Gerald Ford. The couple had three sons together. 11The new family was warm and loving. In time, the oldest boy officially took his step-father's name and became Gerald Rudolph Ford, Junior. He was called Jerry for short. 12Growing up, Jerry Ford was a well-liked person and a good student. He was also a top football player. He was named the most valuable player on his team at the University of Michigan. After finishing college, he was offered work with professional football teams. 13But Ford wanted to continue his education instead. He accepted coaching positions for the football and boxing teams at Yale University in Connecticut. In time, he attended the law school there. 14Ford's path to politics was similar to that of other presidents during that period. He worked at a law office in his home state. He fought in World War II. He married. 15Ford's wife was Elizabeth Bloomer. Her friends called her Betty. She had been a dancer and worked as a fashion model. The Fords went on to have four children. 16When Gerald Ford was 35 years old, he launched his political career. The Republican Party chose him as its candidate for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. 17Ford was elected to represent his home area of Grand Rapids, Michigan. But unlike many other politicians, he did not move on to the Senate or become governor of a state. Instead, he stayed in the House of Representatives for 25 years. 18The job of congressman was, in many ways, a good choice for Ford. He was well-liked by many voters and other lawmakers. He could help different groups come to agreement. He took increasingly important positions on political issues, and in time became the top person in his party in the House. 19Ford was a strong supporter of Republican presidents. In the 1968 election, Ford advocated for Richard Nixon. Ford liked Nixon's plans for the United States, as well as his efforts to improve relations with China and the Soviet Union. 20Both Ford and Nixon were re-elected to their positions in 1972. 21But by then, major problems had come to light in Nixon's administration. 22An unusual path to the White House 23One problem in the early 1970s related to Nixon's vice president, Spiro Agnew. Agnew had been vice president since 1969. Five years later, officials found evidence that he had accepted money from contractors, both while Maryland's governor and as vice president. 24In answer, Agnew resigned from the vice presidency. 25Normally, voters elect a vice president along with a president every four years. But by coincidence, the U.S. Constitution had recently been updated to say what happens if the country needs a vice president unexpectedly. It states that the president has to nominate someone for the position. Then, a majority of lawmakers in Congress must agree. 26So, in 1973, Nixon nominated Gerald Ford to take Agnew's position. Nixon was not especially close to Ford. But, he knew a majority of lawmakers would likely accept him as vice president. 27They did. 28However, Ford did not serve in the position long. In eight months, another unexpected event put him in the Oval Office. 29Presidency 30In August 1974, President Richard Nixon resigned from office. He was the first president to do so. 31As a result, the vice president, Gerald Ford, became president. 32Ford was sworn-in as president on August 9, 1974. Then he spoke to the nation on television. He said, "My fellow Americans, our long national nightmare is over." He told people, "Our Constitution works. Our great republic is a government of laws and not men." 33The public had understandably lost a good deal of faith in government officials, and especially in Richard Nixon. Ford wanted to re-establish their trust. 34But a few weeks after taking office, Ford used his presidential powers to pardon Nixon. The pardon meant that Nixon would never face a criminal trial or, if found guilty, punishment for his actions. 35Ford said he believed pardoning Nixon would help Americans begin to recover from their painful experience with the former president. 36But instead, the move angered many people. They believed that Nixon should be held responsible. They also lost some of their trust in Ford. 37In addition to these political troubles, Ford faced other difficult issues. The American economy was struggling. His administration had to deal with unemployment, inflation and the lasting effects of an energy crisis. The high price of oil imports came at a time when Americans were using more and more gasoline. 38Ford took steps aimed at improving the economy. But critics said he was not consistent. Some criticized him for increasing government spending and cutting taxes; others criticized him for reducing government spending and raising taxes. 39Ford also oversaw the withdrawal of Americans from Vietnam. An earlier agreement had brought a ceasefire to groups in South Vietnam, North Vietnam, and Communist forces. The U.S. officially withdrew its combat troops in 1973. But the fighting restarted. 40Ford asked Congress to approve military and humanitarian aid for the area. But U.S. lawmakers did not approve the full amount. And in time, they cut military aid. 41In 1975, Communist forces began to take control of Saigon, the capital of South Vietnam. 42Ford ordered all remaining Americans in the country to leave, along with any South Vietnamese who were connected to the United States. 43He said that, as far as Americans were concerned, the Vietnam War was finished. 44Americans did not appear to blame Ford for the troubling end of the country's involvement in Vietnam. And some recognized that the country's economic and energy problems had started long before he became president. 45But, in general, Ford did not have the support of Congress. And many voters did not forgive him for pardoning Nixon. 46In 1976, Ford officially campaigned for president for the first time. 47He won his party's nomination in a close race against Ronald Reagan, the former governor of California. 48But he lost the general election to the Democratic candidate, who said one of his best qualities was that he did not have experience in the federal government. 49The argument appeared persuasive to many voters, who still did not appear to be enthusiastic about the government. In the 1976 election, nearly half of all people who were legally able to vote chose not to. 50Ford left the presidency graciously. He said that, because he had not planned to be president, he was thankful for the unexpected opportunity. 51Legacy 52Although Ford said he was ready to retire from politics, he continued to be active in public life. He advised others on government affairs, published books, and sat on boards and committees. 53His wife, Betty Ford, also left a lasting effect on the public. 54As first lady, she had spoken about her experience with breast cancer. 55After her husband left the presidency, she also spoke openly about her battle with alcohol and drug abuse. 56In 1982, Betty Ford co-founded the Betty Ford Center in California to help people get treatment for drug addiction. 57She announced her husband's death in 2006. Gerald Ford died of heart disease at the age of 93. 58By that time, most the public had accepted that one of Ford's biggest achievements was to help the country recover after Nixon resigned. President Bill Clinton gave Ford a Presidential Medal of Freedom for his efforts. 59And even Jimmy Carter, who beat Ford in the 1976 presidential election, began his inauguration speech by thanking Ford. Carter said, "For myself and for our Nation, I want to thank my predecessor for all he has done to heal our land." 60I'm Kelly Jean Kelly. 61Kelly Jean Kelly wrote this story for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. 62_________________________________________________________ 63See how well you understand the story by taking this listening quiz. Play the video, then choose the best answer. 64_________________________________________________________ 65Words in This Story 66professional - adj. paid to participate in a sport or activity 67advocate - v. to support or argue for 68contractor - n. a person who is hired to perform work or to provide goods at a certain price or within a certain time 69coincidence - n. a situation in which events happen at the same time in a way that is not planned or expected 70responsible - adj. used to describe the person or thing that causes something to happen 71consistent - adj. always acting or behaving in the same way 72enthusiastic - adj. feeling or showing strong excitement about something 73graciously - adv. in a way that is very polite and shows respect 74achievement - n. something that has been done or achieved through effort : a result of hard work