Either Gerald Ford is a lot abler than he has hitherto been given credit for being, or being President is easier than recent Presidents have contrived to convince us that it is. Or, more likely, both these propositions are true. In any case, Mr. Ford has not made a significant misstep yet during this difficult transition period, as he has coped with tasks that are more difficult than walking and chewing gum at the same time.
Mr. Ford has devoted his first week to a series of gestures. The time is coming, very soon, when he must put gestures aside and deal with the hard substance of government, and especially with the economy. But his gestures have come in such a stunning and disarming swarm that they have achieved what evidently was Mr. Ford’s first objective as President. They have helped him to blur, if not redefine, his image.
Comments