Gerald Ford and George W Bush Contrasted

Has anyone else been struck by the contrast between qualities attributed to the late President Gerald Ford and the character of our current President, George W. Bush. President Ford has been praised, properly, for his decency, fundamental honesty, commitment to public service, ability to build bridges across party lines, willingness to negotiate rather than use force. One commentator noted that foreign leaders with whom President Ford worked as President remained his friends for life. They often sought his advice, which he provided off the record and below the public radar screen.

We can be thankful that the current White House occupant is no Richard Nixon. But he seems almost a mirror image of the honest, decent, principled, courageous man whom we honor and mourn today.