I'm more bemused than anything that Gerald Ford will lie in state after never having been elected president. Under those circumstances to insist on an honor that most presidents don't avail themselves of is rather odd. Either he had to get in that last Trivial Pursuit entry or Betty is getting back at Nancy for eight-year's worth of snubbing.
It'll gall Nancy to no end if Jerry gets a nicer funeral than her husband. One thing she can be sure of: the turn-out for this one is going to be nothing in comparison to that of Mr. Reagan's.
UPDATE:
He's not going to be getting Reagan-style television coverage either.
Sorry if I'm not throwing laurel leaves, but this pomp is putting me off. And I don't think being human Alka Seltzer is anything to wax rhapsodic over anyway.
Posted by floridacracker at December 27, 2006 11:37 PMHe may have been a human Alka Seltzer, but the guy had a hell of a lot more class post-presidency than Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton. Has he ever spouted off at another president like those two?
Posted by: Chris at December 28, 2006 01:14 PMMore class than Clinton? That's not possible.
Posted by: Donnah at December 28, 2006 01:19 PMElected or not, Ford served as president and therefore deserves a state funeral.
On the whole I think we're pretty modest in the way we do these things so I can't work up any resentment, but if you want to talk inagural festivities I could work up a pretty good rant.
Posted by: Retread at December 28, 2006 03:49 PMI still think he and his family are putting everybody to a lot of bother for someone no one elected.
Agreed about the inaugural activities.
While he was in the office, Ford had to put up with all the crap that any other president would have had to deal with and possibly a good deal more than some, in Ford's case. Add to that a couple of assassination attempts and the added burden of having to take responsibility for elevating Chevy Chase to cultural icon status and I think you'll see that his official honoring is well deserved.
Besides, the instant that one president receives a funeral less fitting than that of another, then we'll begin to hear griping about partisan politics at funerals. As it is, I won't be surprised if the idiot that writes the fashion column at the Wapo has some sort of smart ass comment to make about whatever Betty Ford wears. Further, I'll be interested to see if Jimmy Carter will be able to act like a gentleman for a little while.
Posted by: tfhr at December 29, 2006 06:03 PMThere's only been 10 presidents that have lain in state, 11 now with Ford, so this is not the norm by any means.
Posted by: Donnah at December 29, 2006 06:13 PM