Gerald R. Ford: An Honorable Life

Chapter 2 - Resolve

8 Chapter 2 Resolve On the two-­ minute ride out the southwest gate and onto West Executive Avenue, Ford regained full control over his emotions. His earlier anxiety about what Nixon might do quickly turned into resolution about what he, the new President-­ to-­ be, must do. Time was precious. This was Thursday: he had less than twenty-­ four hours before his swearing-­ in. He must get to work. Ford’s first concern, as it is with every new President, was national security. Striding to his desk in the Vice President’s office, he telephoned Secretary of State Kissinger. The exchange reflects Ford’s modesty and Kissinger’s diplomacy. “I have just finished talking with the President, and he gave me his decision,” Ford said.“I want you to stay, Henry. I need you. The country needs you. I’ll do everything I can to work with you.” “Mr. Vice President,” Kissinger replied, “it is my job to get along with you and not yours to get along with me.” “I would hope we could get together sometime this afternoon at your convenience,” Ford said. “Would 3:00 p.m. suit you, Mr. Vice President?” “Fine, Henry. I would appreciate it very much.” “I have prepared some tentative suggestions for your consideration,” Kissinger said. “Might I bring these along?” “Bring anything along that you want, Henry. I will be delighted to see you.” Continuity at the Department of State affirmed, Ford brought in his two most trusted aides—­ Robert Hartmann and John Marsh—­ for the Resolve 9 next decision: Where should he be sworn in? “They’re talking about the Oval Office,” Ford said. “The hell with what they want,” said Hartmann, Ford’s plain-­ speaking counselor and principal speechwriter. “It’s what do you want. You are going to be President.” Ford’s first choice was to take the oath of office at the U.S. Capitol . Not only was it the traditional site of Presidential inaugurals; the Capitol was home to Ford. There, in the House of Representatives, he had served the Fifth District of Michigan for twenty-­ five years; there, his peers had chosen him to be Vice President, and confirmed him by a landslide vote. But, after discussion, all three agreed that this unprecedented inaugural should take place in the White House. “The Chief Justice!” Ford said. “He must administer the oath of office .” No lesser personage, the three agreed, would bring the legitimacy and appropriate dignity to this unprecedented occasion. In minutes, the White House switchboard operators found Chief Justice Warren Burger, traveling in the Netherlands. “Mr. Chief Justice, I guess you’ve heard the news,” Ford said.“I hate to interrupt your trip, but I would like it very much if you could be here for the swearing-­ in.” “Oh, I want to be there,” Burger said. “I’ve got to be there.” Marsh, Ford’s national security adviser and former colleague in the House, quickly arranged for an Air Force plane to pick up the Chief Justice in Europe, and fly him to Washington. Since the East Room—­ the largest in the White House—­ could hold no more than 275 guests, Marsh recommended an order of priority for the invitations: the Ford family, the Cabinet and senior White House staff, the bipartisan leaders of Congress, the chairmen and ranking members of House and Senate committees, the diplomatic corps, Ford’s fellow Representatives in the Class of 1948, and the entire Michigan delegation. All would have to be invited by telephone. To begin the invitations, Ford telephoned two of his closest Congressional friends: Hugh Scott, Republican leader of the Senate, and Democrat Tip O’Neill, Majority Leader of the House and Ford’s favorite golfing partner. “Are wives invited, Jerry?” O’Neill asked. “They are now,” Ford said cheerfully. O’Neill read a statement he planned to make: Democrats would cooperate with Ford, but he must listen to and work closely with Congress. 10 gerald r. ford “That’s fine,” Ford said, “and Tip, I will rely on you for advice and assistance.” Ever the partisan, O’Neill said: “Christ, Jerry, isn’t this a wonderful country? Here we can talk like this and you and I can be friends, and eighteen months from now I’ll be going around the country kicking your ass in.” As both laughed, Ford said: “That’s a hell of a way to speak to the...