Gerald R. Ford was no doubt a gentleman and a person of integrity. However, he was a professional politician, and in that world, "Quid pro Quo" is the title of the handbook.
Nixon's vice-president was the corrupt Spiro Agnew. When Agnew was forced to resign because of tax evasion problems, Nixon needed a vice-president that was acceptable to the public and congress, and could be trusted.
When Ford's appointed term was up and he ran for the Presidency against Jimmy Carter, the Nixon pardon may be the cause of Ford losing the election.
At that time, it was very difficult for people, including this writer, to believe that the Nixon pardon wasn't a quid pro quo to gain the vice-presidency for Ford. Nixon had to know that trouble was coming and he needed a successor that was dependable.
Maybe, considering the times, it was the right thing to do. However, it left a very bad taste in the mouths of many, many people, and tarnished Ford's legacy.
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