WI Gerald Ford didn't pardon Richard Nixon?

Exactly what it says on the tin. :)

Specifically, I wonder about a few things:
1. The effect on America of having their former president in a very public trial
2. Ford's own chances for the 1976 election -- would he even be nominated at all, and if so could he win?
3. If Ford isn't nominated, could Reagan win in '76? And if not, how would Reagan losing affect things later?
 
I've been considering starting a TL based on just this, if/when I finish my current one. I think Ford would probably win in '76, unless Nixon revealed that alledged shadowy deal he was supposed to have made. Which, if it existed, he would. (I'm talking about the allegation that Nixon resigned on the condition that President Ford would pardon him).
 
1) Depends if anything unsavoury comes up at the trial.
2) He'd be nominated, in OTL it caused anger that he pardoned Nixon, and avoiding this might give Ford more momentum against Carter.
3) Reagan is not viable in 1976, like Mrs Thatcher you need stagflation under Dems/Lab to make them successful. That'll delay the rise of the conservative GOP over the Nixon/Bush moderates in the party. When GOP ultras are unleashed, Reagan makes them sound reasonable. In my TL, RFK keeps a *tight rein* on his ultras (who make Pelosi electable in AL by comparison). OTL they were nominated till the Era of Clinton.
 
Having a president on trial for his crimes makes both Iran-Contra and the torture and widespread out of control spying under Bush Jr less likely.

Contrary to what their supporters might claim, neither a Sandinista reelection in 1988 nor a lack of torture in the 2000s endangers the US one bit.

Ford may win vs Carter, but will still face a Democratic congress and a Soviet Union emboldened by the focus on Nixon's trial. But the benefits of having him on trial would ultimately outweigh the short term disruption. Far from his trial being seen as partisan (recall that many of the Republicans on the committee voted for impeachment) there'd probably just be efforts made to insure any rogue criminal president's action in the future get punished much quicker, and a president removed faster. Maybe an amendment to get the Veep in there to replace him quick, much like a previous president's health issues led to the change in succession rules.
 
Well coming from an American perspective I would argue that it would have been worse for Ford if he didn't pardon Nixon and let it go to trial. President Ford was in a major conundrum, he was damned for pardoning him and would have been more damned if he let Nixon hang out to dry and continue to let this Watergate scandal to drag on. Within a month of assuming the presidency Ford rightfully sensed that this scandal to continue to drag on would dominate the front headlines for a while to come. Nixon's indcitment and trial would have lasted a least antother year and Congress and the Executive Branch would have been greatly distrated by this and not not much else would have been done during the rest of 74 and most of 75. Pardoning Nixon brought some form of closure and put the Watergate scandal to the backburner. Otherwise what have happened is Ronald Reagan have use it(throwinf Noxon under the bus) against him and would most likely won the GOP nomination in 76.
 
Recently (since May 2008) in the After 1900 forum:

"Richard Nixon indicted co-conspirator" https://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=121360

"WI Ford gets creative..." https://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=113706

"Ford Doesn't Pardon Nixon" https://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=109712

"WI Nixon not pardoned" https://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=93297


There are also 2 threads, Nixon Trials & Nixon Cleared, composting in the depths of this forum.
 
I suspect that, unlike most members here, I was actually alive when Watergate occurred and was actually old enough to comprehend what was going on.

A pardon for Nixon was the correct course for Ford to take, the country just wanted the whole damn mess over with. A trial would have been a complete disaster that dragged on for at least two more years further poisoning politics in America.

That being said, how Ford pardoned Nixon was wrong.

Instead of a blanket pardon, Nixon should have been pardoned for specific crimes and, as other specific crimes he committed came to light, Ford would issue specific pardons for those crimes too. In this way, each of Nixon's crimes are specifically and individually acknowledged.

Nixon now cannot play coy with what his pardon actually was for, it's stated for all to see. Even more importantly, people who want Nixon tried, no matter at what cost, can find some solace in the fact that Nixon has been "convicted" of specific crimes because he's received pardons for specific crimes.

Getting past Watergate was supremely important in 1974, the work of the Republic had been on hold for far too long. Ford was correct to pardon Nixon, he was just incorrect in how he pardoned him.


Bill
 
Recently (since May 2008) in the After 1900 forum:

"Richard Nixon indicted co-conspirator" https://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=121360

"WI Ford gets creative..." https://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=113706

"Ford Doesn't Pardon Nixon" https://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=109712

"WI Nixon not pardoned" https://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=93297


There are also 2 threads, Nixon Trials & Nixon Cleared, composting in the depths of this forum.
And I even posted in one of those. :eek: I'd forgotten.

Thanks. Interesting reads, they are.
 
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