Brian,
the liberal piece was unnecessary - you should remove it from your article.

I remember when Pres. Ford pardoned Richard Nixon....and caught a lot of heat for it. But, the act must have taken a lot of courage, and the selfless desire to do what was best for his country. Ford, like another 'ordinary man' who preceded him, Harry Truman, believed that 'the buck stops here', at the Oval Office. My how times have changed.

We have lost a true, honest and decent gentleman, who we were fortunate to have as our President. His passing saddens me but more so is the knowledge that my children won't have the honor of remembering a man of this integrity leading our Nation and that politicians can be honest and true to their beliefs. May you rest in peace President Ford and may your loved ones find healing in knowing just how loved and admired you will always be.

President Ford was an ordinary citizen who found himself President at the worst time in American history. He was every man:honest, humble and aware that being President means putting country before self. I did not agree with the decision to Pardon Mr. Nixon, but I did not doubt the source of it was in a true desire to heal this nation and move forward. We have not had such men in office since 1990,I pray that Mr.Fords death will insprie us to hold our leaders to a higher standard. Rest in peace Mr. President and my sympathy to your family.

If you believe in the TV Land version of Liberals & conservatives Ford might be considered a Liberal today. If you think Liberals are the same today as they were 60 years ago Ford might be considered a Liberal today. Neither of those two examples are true though. If just one of the 3 networks in this country were skewed as far right as they are left Liberals would be forced to clean up their act, and we'd have a better country.

I don't remember President Ford ever race baiting, preaching conspiracy theories, or class envy. Was he ever Anti-Semitic? Did he lie and misrepresent facts every time he got on TV? Did he step down in the gutter, and call names then turn around and accuse someone of being a divider? How can you say he'd be considered a Liberal today? That is so insulting. President Ford was a class act that put his country first. That is not a Liberal today!!

Thank you President Ford, and thank you to his family who shared him with us.

How sad we'll not see his like ever again as a politician. The first time I could vote was when President Ford ran against Jimmy Carter, and it's the only time in my life I voted for a Republican. I come from a long line of die hard Democrats and am one myself. But President Ford was the kind of man that you could easily put aside partisanship, you were voting for the man, who you knew was a citizen first not just a politician. He ws so perfectly suited for the Presidency at that time with the Vietnam War winding down and the Nixon debacle. That calm, sturdy hand guiding the country was exactly what we needed. It's a shame he didn't get to go on and serve a full term, who knows how different things would've been. Today's politicians, or anyone aspiring to go into politics, should study the character of Gerald R. Ford and aspire to it. His beautiful, strong wife Betty, who has undoubtly saved thousands of lives when she battled breast cancer and addiction. Their four children who livened up the White House like hadn't been seen since President Kennedy's day. Susan having her prom at the White House, Jack and his having the rock n' rollers and jet setters at the White House. I remember a picture of President Ford loading a dishwasher at his daughters home. It doesn't get any more "normal" than that. He did save us from a national nightmare.
I can't think of one politician since President Ford that would make a hard decision like he did with Nixon at the risk of putting his own career on the line. They broke the mold with President Gerald R. Ford!!
God bless and help our country since we won't see President's Ford kind again.
God bless Betty and their family at this time of sorrow.

President Ford was a man of honor and a real person who did not strive for fame, money, or statue. These types of political people or rare today. It seems like the majority of politicians are there for one reason. (What can I do for myself)

Teddy Roosevelt, Harry Truman, Jerry Ford. Ultimately the peoples'choice, they each put the public and public service ahead of personal gain. God Bless them all for giving us strength, hope, and a better future.

We'll miss him in Beaver Creek.

I think Gerald Ford was a good man but the one thing he did that weakened the public's trust in government was the pardon of Richard Nixon. This act and others like "Read My Lips, No New Taxes", and "I did not have sex with that woman" has caused voters to distrust government leaders. My one piece of advice to President's......be honest with the American public.

Don

Those that say "I never wanted to be..." but who accept the role, are usually most effective in their leadership. Could it be because they never accepted the position with greed and power as an objective..

May he Rest in Peace!

May President Ford rest in peace. He was a great President in the time of this country's worse scandal. He was a loyal Republican who spoke up and say the President should not have to testify in the impeachment hearings. This to save the US from having Nixon removed from Office. If only we had listen to his wise words and not continued the hearing our country and our President could have been saved from the embarrassment. Ford was appointed to office because of another great American Vice President Spiro Agnew. He couldn't continue his position because he to had committed crimes and resigned. If you live long enough they say life repeats itself. Let's also pray that Bush appoints a Vice President who will follow in the loyal position of President Ford. One who will look to heal our country from now a scandal worse then Nixon's. Let's hope we have another man like Ford who can look to the country first and pardon the next corrupt President who done crimes against national security and not one like so many Presidents who has an personal affair that does nothing to hurt our country.

The fascinating thing about Ford is that on the television screen he came across as a generally bland and boring guy. Just after his presidency, however, he spoke to my law school class at U.C.L.A., guest lecturing several times in constitutional law. Up close in a classroom setting, he was a funny, warm and very charismatic man who truly cared... exactly the kind of person who would be a perfect Speaker of the House. I'm not sure he ever really wanted to be President, which made him the perfect candidate for that job as well.

As with anyone else who remembers him, I am paused by President Ford's passing to think of his courage and his character. This is a man who did not seek the responsibility he was given but he executed his duties never forgetting just how precious that responsibility is. However, unlike many, I am reminded of 1976 when his actions did not cost him my vote. What a difference those next 4 years might have made if Gerald Ford had remained in office!!

President Ford...and President Carter. My first election as a voting American and still the toughest choice I ever made in the booth. In my opinion, a breed of American now extinct...Statesman, not politicans. Thank God we've always had the right American at the right time to serve this Great, but, often misunderstood, nation. I salute your memory President Ford. Peace to you and yours.

President Ford was a good man, and a President who put the country's needs and well-being ahead of his own. He did not speak in "talking points", and was a genuine friend to people on both sides of the political aisle. Would that today's so-called leaders would follow his example!

Rest in peace, Mr. President. And thank you.

Brian -

President Gerald Ford was a politician in the best sense of the word. That's the highest praise I can give and he deserves it.

My condolences to his family, his friends and anyone who was lucky enough to spend some time with this man.

He was truly a great American.
Joan Chapman, Cheshire, CT.

Mr. President eternal be your memory

Brian Williams piece on gerald Ford was compelling and an accurate portrayal of a President of courage and kindness

With all due respect, Mr. Ford did the nation a great harm by pardoning a would-be criminal.Mr Nixon should have served sometime in jail for the good of our demcratic system. Ford's pardon made future endless ***Gates palatable to the public and allowed law-breaker and sleazy characters such as Reagan, Bush Sr., Bush Jr. to roam around as they pleased at our detriment.

Brian...I agree with you that by today's standards President Ford may have been a liberal. Today's politicians tend to go too far either way. I think history will reward both Presidents Ford and Carter with the honor that these men deserve. President Ford was a kind and thoughtful man. We will keep Mrs. Ford and their children in our thoughts and prayers.

President Gerald R. Ford was a common man who was truly extraordinary in his service to our nation during tumultuous times. We are fortunate that his destiny was to guide us through the storm. His sheer decency and strength of character exemplified all that is good about America.

President Ford was a great President for our country in a time that we needed someone like him to be in charge. His devotion to his family and God make him one of the greatest! Rest in Peace President Ford, you will be missed.

IF Jimmy Carter is an example of a"liberal" i truly doubt you could call this fine man that.I was caught up in the hype of voting for Clinton the first go around,but seeing how vile and hypocritical these liberals are,never again will i vote for someone that can even be considered a liberal and how dare you Mr. Williams sully President Ford's reputation with that attack..

President Ford was so special in many ways. How special? I hope that they are getting ready for another bust on the mountain of Presidents for President FORD. Even that would not be recognition enough.