WI: Gerald Ford Doesn't Pardon Nixon

Nixon is tried and convicted and goes to prison. Ford wins in 1976. Reagan is defeated in 1980. He is of the President's party and there is a recession and a hostage crisis.
 
Reagan challenges Ford for the nomination in 1980, the way Ted Kennedy challenged Carter.

When he wins the presidency (and he will, 1980 was a bad year all around for Democratic presidential candidates), he's the one to pardon Nixon.
 
Reagan challenges Ford for the nomination in 1980, the way Ted Kennedy challenged Carter.

When he wins the presidency (and he will, 1980 was a bad year all around for Democratic presidential candidates), he's the one to pardon Nixon.

Ford would be kept out by the 22nd amendment in 1980 assuming he wins in 76 which I think he would.

Reagan might challenge Dole.

I think with a Republican President in power 76-80 the Dems would win big
 
(and he will, 1980 was a bad year all around for Democratic presidential candidates), he's the one to pardon Nixon.[/QUOTE]

It was because a Democrat was in the White Hosue. If Ford does not pardon Nixon he probably wins in 1976. ITTL 1980 is a good Democratic year.
 
(and he will, 1980 was a bad year all around for Democratic presidential candidates), he's the one to pardon Nixon.

It was because a Democrat was in the White Hosue. If Ford does not pardon Nixon he probably wins in 1976. ITTL 1980 is a good Democratic year.[/QUOTE]

Right, because pardoning Nixon was the only issue faced by Ford. The economy and the fall of South Vietnam certainly didn't bring him down.:rolleyes:
 

shiftygiant

Gone Fishin'
Nixon either dies during the trial (he was reportedly a physical and mental wreck in the immediate aftermath of his Presidency, and his phlebitis and pulmonary embolism weren't helping), or the trial is dragged out through the Bicentennial and election, with every dirty deal and morally questionably thing done by the Nixon, Eisenhower, and other administrations bought to the limelight for the American Public. There would ultimetly by no national healing, and Ford would be seen as a traitor throwing Nixon under the bus by detractors, an image that wouldn't be helped if Nixon dies.

If Nixon lives to 1976, you will have Ford overshadowed by the trial- if he dies, you have Ford overshadowed by Nixon's death. Reelection may be harder under these circumstances.
 
It was because a Democrat was in the White Hosue. If Ford does not pardon Nixon he probably wins in 1976. ITTL 1980 is a good Democratic year.

Right, because pardoning Nixon was the only issue faced by Ford. The economy and the fall of South Vietnam certainly didn't bring him down.:rolleyes:[/QUOTE]

Ford lost Ohio by 3/10ths of 1 percent and Wisconsin and Mississippi by 1 percent. I think not pardoning Nixon would have reversed those narrow margins.
 
You bring up challenging points. Airing dirty laundry is sometimes productive, and sometimes counterproductive. I think it's usually worth taking the chance.

Best case scenario: in pre-trial publicity early in '75, it comes out that the Nixon administration stood on the sidelines during the '71 genocide in Bengali, mainly because during the shifting alliances during the cold war Pakistan was considered 'our' ally and that was that. Let's suppose there's enough different angles to this to keep it in the news for quite a while.

When reports start coming in spring and summer of '75 about Cambodia, the Ford administration doesn't dare stay in the sidelines. And even if Indonesia still invades East Timor in Dec. '75, once reports start coming in, Ford and later Carter if necessary leans hard on our ally Indonesia and tells them they can't be doing this. And thus, we prevent two out of the three genocides of the 1970s.
 
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