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Article: 1976-1985: Onstage With Two Bit Players and a Superstar
- Article from:
- The Washington Post
- Article date:
- December 31, 1995
- Author:
CopyrightThis material is published under license from the Washington Post. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Washington Post. (Hide copyright information)
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GERALD FORD and Jimmy Carter seemed unlikely candidates for the
White House (Jerry Ford? Jimmy Who?). And putting aside Ford's
congressional campaign to impeach Justice William O. Douglas and his
presidential pardon of Richard Nixon (outside of that, how did you
like the play, Mrs. Lincoln?), he turned out to be, in the popular
political phrase, "Better Than Expected." Meanwhile, after a "decent
interval" following our exit, South Vietnam fell to North Vietnam on
Ford's watch. Henry Kissinger was shocked, shocked that North Vietnam
did not abide by the understanding that got our troops out.
Many presidents seem to benefit from the public's unhappiness with
a predecessor. The disclosures of ...