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Gerald Ford
First to Serve as President and Vice President Without Being Elected by the Electoral College
Traditionally in the United States, presidents are elected when citizens cast their vote, then electors to the Electoral College from their states vote for the president. This is how a president can win the popular vote, but still not be president. Gerald Ford, who is the only man to have served as vice president and president without first winning the Electoral College. Early Career
Ford was born in Nebraska but raised in Michigan and, after a stint in the U.S. Naval Reserves and graduation from Yale Law School, returned there to serve as U.S. representative from Michigan’s 5th congressional district for 25 years. He eventually rose to House minority leader.
He married Elizabeth Bloomer, and the couple had four children: Michael Gerald, John Gardner, Steven Meigs and Susan Elizabeth. The 38th President of the United States Born: 1913 Died: 2006 Served: 1974 to 1977
Vice Presidency
In 1973, President Richard Nixon’s vice president, Spiro Agnew, resigned amidst a corruption investigation in Baltimore. Nixon then named Ford vice president under the terms of the 25th Amendment. He was sworn in Dec. 6, 1973, after Senate confirmation of the appointment and amidst the unfolding Watergate scandal. Presidency
Nixon resigned Aug. 9, 1974, and Ford assumed the presidency, taking the oath of office in the East Room of the White House and addressing the nation. “I am acutely aware that you have not elected me as your president by your ballots, and so I ask you to confirm me as your president with your prayers,” he said. Ford pardoned Nixon on Sept. 8, saying it was the best option to move the country forward.
Ford replaced almost all of the members of Nixon’s cabinet during his 895 days in office. He also pardoned military deserters and Vietnam War draft dodgers and took steps to rein in inflation. Domestically, he signed the Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975, establishing special education in the U.S., and was a vocal supporter of the Equal Rights Amendment.
Ford visited China in 1975 and continued a policy of detente with the Soviet Union and China both. He attended the inaugural meeting of the G7, or Group of Seven, industrialized nations. But the biggest challenge he faced was in Vietnam, presiding over the evacuation of Americans and others from the fall of Saigon and allowing more than 100,000 Vietnamese refugees into the U.S.
Ford was the target of two assassination attempts, one by Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme, a follower of Charles Manson, and a second by Sara Jane Moore. Both women wielded guns and both were foiled. He reluctantly agreed to run for re-election in 1976, but lost to Georgia Gov. Jimmy Carter. Post-Presidency
The Fords moved to Colorado, where the former president invested in oil and continued to make appearances. Ford published a biography, “A Time to Heal,” and served on boards and lent his voice to various causes. He died in 2006 at 93.
Jimmy Carter was awarded the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize for work to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development.
Carter, who has rarely used his full name–James Earl Carter, Jr.–was born October 1, 1924, in Plains, Georgia. Peanut farming, talk of politics, and devotion to the Baptist faith were mainstays of his upbringing. Upon graduation in 1946 from the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, Carter married Rosalynn Smith. The Carters have three sons, John William (Jack), James Earl III (Chip), Donnel Jeffrey (Jeff), and a daughter, Amy Lynn.
After seven years’ service as a naval officer, Carter returned to Plains. In 1962 he entered state politics, and eight years later he was elected Governor of Georgia.
Carter announced his candidacy for President in December 1974 and began a two-year campaign that gradually gained momentum. At the Democratic Convention, he was nominated on the first ballot. Carter campaigned hard against President Gerald R. Ford, debating with him three times. Carter won by 297 electoral votes to 241 for Ford.
Carter worked hard to combat the continuing economic woes of inflation and unemployment. By the end of his administration, he could claim an increase of nearly eight million jobs and a decrease in the budget deficit, measured in percentage of the gross national product.
Carter could point to a number of achievements in domestic affairs. He dealt with the energy shortage by establishing a national energy policy and by decontrolling domestic petroleum prices to stimulate production. He prompted Government efficiency through civil service reform and proceeded with deregulation of the trucking and airline industries. He sought to improve the environment. His expansion of the national park system included protection of 103 million acres of Alaskan lands. To increase human and social services, he created the Department of Education, bolstered the Social Security system, and appointed record numbers of women, blacks, and Hispanics to Government jobs.
In foreign affairs, Carter set his own style. In the Middle East, through the Camp David agreement of 1978, he helped bring amity between Egypt and Israel. He succeeded in obtaining ratification of the Panama Canal treaties. Building upon the work of predecessors, he established full diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China and completed negotiation of the SALT II nuclear limitation treaty with the Soviet Union.
There were serious setbacks, however. The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan caused the suspension of plans for ratification of the SALT II pact. The seizure as hostages of the U. S. embassy staff in Iran dominated the news during the last 14 months of the administration. The consequences of Iran’s holding Americans captive, together with continuing inflation at home, contributed to Carter’s defeat in 1980. Even then, he continued the difficult negotiations over the hostages. Iran finally released the 52 Americans the same day Carter left office.
Jimmy Carter
With many of his core political tenets reverberating today, Ronald Reagan is regarded as one of the most highly respected presidents in American history.
This was in part due to his tough stance on American prosperity and security but also due to his unique background prior to taking over the White House. Reagan earned great fame and fortune in Hollywood before translating his talents into Washington success. The legacy he built during his two terms ending in 1989 lives on today, as he serves as a model of influence for many Republicans and Democrats alike.
Before He Was President
Upon graduating from Eureka College, Reagan became a radio sports announcer and later earned an acting contract in Hollywood. He appeared in 53 films during the next two decades.
Reagan eventually served as president of the Screen Actors Guild and toured the United States as a television host. While taking advantage of his Hollywood platform, Reagan was able to take several important political stances that helped shape the country’s thinking on key topics, most notably Communism.
Reagan was elected governor of California in 1966 by a margin of 1 million votes and was re-elected in 1970. His unique background and image as a popular celebrity helped pave his path into the White House.
Ronald Reagan
Major Policy
Reagan’s core principle was defined as a pledge to restore “the great, confident roar of American progress and growth and optimism.”
Reagan was seen as an across-the-aisle ally of the American people focused on negotiating with Congress to get bills passed. He kept a public focus on national defense, stimulating economic growth, curbing inflation and increasing employment — all major points of emphasis for American voters, as well.
Among his major policies, Reagan: • Led an overhaul of the income tax code, which eliminated many deductions and exempted millions of people with low incomes. • Increased defense spending by 35 percent. • Spearheaded dramatic meetings with Soviet Union leader Mikhail Gorbachev to negotiate a treaty that would eliminate intermediate-range nuclear missiles. • Sent American bombers to Libya after evidence came out that Libya was involved in an attack on American soldiers in a nightclub.
These efforts were in line with the Reagan Doctrine, containing what some hail as the most influential policies in American history. The beloved president died in 2004 after having suffered from Alzheimer’s disease for nearly 10 years.
On November 30, 2018, America somberly said goodbye to a national hero. George H.W. Bush was a World War II veteran, both vice president, president and activist after leaving office. While he only served one term, he strove to handle foreign affairs during a trying time in our country’s history.
George Herbert Walker Bush served in the Navy during World War II from 1942 to September 1945. It was 1943 when he earned the illustrious role as the youngest pilot in that branch of military. His heroism garnered him the Distinguished Flying Cross after his plane was shot down by Japanese military.
After an honorable discharge from the military, Bush attended Yale University, where he completed an undergraduate degree in economics.
George H.W. Bush
Before He Was President
Bush didn’t rush into politics after graduation. In fact, he moved his family to reside in Odessa, Texas, where he became a clerk for an oil company. His experience with petroleum propelled him to begin an oil development company with a friend.
The operation was such a success that it quickly merged with another group that developed offshore-drilling equipment. He would later be the acting president of the subsidiary.
His connections to the oil industry eventually led to Bush becoming the Republican Party chairman in Harris County, Texas, and his political career began. After an unsuccessful campaign for a U.S. Senate seat in 1964, he secured a seat as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives in 1966.
In 1970, after falling short for a Senate seat for the second time, he was nominated the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. This experience in foreign affairs would be highlighted throughout his presidency.
In 1980, Bush lost the Republican presidential nomination to Ronald Reagan but was chosen as his running mate and served as vice president for two terms.
Major Policy
Bush became the United States President after winning the 1988 election. He was the first vice president to win the top seat since 1837.
Bush was heralded as a worldwide hero after responding to countries under attack or despair from unruly dictators. Only months into his presidency, he oversaw the U.S. military’s attempt to remove Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega.
Many consider his coalition against Iraqi President Saddam Hussain’s invasion of the oil-rich country of Kuwait as his greatest accomplishment.
