Explanation whether President Gerald Ford was really a Klutz by Ron Kurtus - Lessons Learned from History. Key words: Richard Nixon, press bias, news media, Democrats, Republicans, politics, phi beta kappa, football, clumsy, Chevy Chase, Saturday Night Live, School for Champions. Copyright © Restrictions
Was President Gerald Ford Really a Klutz? (1970s)
by Ron Kurtus (revised 4 January 2007)
During his term in office, President Gerald R. Ford was depicted in the American press as a dim-witted, clumsy oaf. One reason was because those in the press that disliked President Richard M. Nixon, turned their anger to Ford after he pardoned Nixon. Another reason is that often Ford's actions reinforced this image of being a klutz. In reality, President Ford was intelligent and athletic.
Questions you may have about this are:
- What did Ford do to anger the press?
- What did Ford do to add to his negative image?
- What shows that Ford was actually intelligent and athletic ?
This lesson will answer those questions.
Press made Ford fair game
After President Ford pardoned former President Nixon for the Watergate misdeeds, it seems that the press turned against Ford. Although Ford's motives were honorable, many people in the media were still out for blood and wanted to do as much as they could to destroy Nixon. the fact that ford pardoned Nixon made many of them angry.
Ford's rationale for pardoning Nixon was to get the Country to move on, instead of continuing the negative attitudes that resulted from the Watergate trial. Unfortunately, this act of pardoning made Ford fair game for the media.
Ford looked clumsy
Unfortunately, President Ford did some things that caused him to be depicted as a klutz.
Seemed mentally slow
He certainly didn't look very smart, with the primitive brow. Ford also did not have a good speaking voice and actually sounded to be somewhat mentally slow.
Saturday Night Live
On the Saturday Night Live television show, comedian Chevy Chase would often impersonate President Ford, playing him as extremely clumsy and stupid. This played upon the nation's impression of the President.
Hit lady on head
Also, for some reason, Ford was constantly doing clumsy and awkward things in front of the TV cameras and photographers. For example, he slipped on the steps coming out of Air Force One. Several times when he was playing golf, he hit the ball into the gallery of spectators—once hitting a lady on the head. While playing doubles in tennis, he hit his partner on the head with the ball. All of these incidents were caught on camera.
Under microscope
Actually, these accidents could happen to anyone, but it seemed that he had more than his share. Of course, being under the microscope of the media exaggerated the gaffs and found more than would normally be noticed.
Was Ford really a klutz?
Was President Ford really such a klutz? Was he uncoordinated and somewhat stupid as he was so often depicted? If you look at his record in college, you get a different picture.
Football player
While at the University of Michigan, Ford played on two championship football teams and was named to the college all-stars team. That certainly is not an indication of a clumsy oaf.
Phi Beta Kappa
He was also a Phi Beta Kappa at Michigan and then went on to receive a law degree at Yale University, while also serving as assistant football coach. His academic excellence certainly was not an indication of being a bumbling fool.
Unfair picture
So, in reality, the picture of President Ford as a dim-witted klutz was an unfair picture painted by the media.
Note that it wasn't until after President Ford passed away in December 2006 that the press vindicated him in their eulogies. In fact, they almost overcompensated for their actions in their praise of the late President.
Summary
Although President Ford was often depicted as a clumsy oaf, he was really an intelligent athlete. His looks and speaking voice gave a different impression. The news media took special glee in pointing out any mistakes or accidents he had. Perhaps that was motivated by his pardoning of ex-President Nixon.
What can we learn from this bit of history?
- Public figures are sometimes painted differently than reality
- What you do in public can make a lasting impression
- Don't get the media angry at you
Always present yourself with dignity
Resources and references
Websites
Biography of Gerald Ford - From the White House Website
Gerald Ford - Boy Scout in the White House
Books
Top-rated books on Gerald Ford
What do you think?
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Was President Gerald Ford Really a Klutz?