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4th District GOP Convention, Bridgeport, CT, June 25, 1966
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4th District GOP Convention, Bridgeport, CT, June 25, 1966
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The original documents are located in Box D20, folder "4th District GOP Convention,
Bridgeport, CT, June 25, 1966" of the Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and
Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. The Council donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Digitized from Box D20 of The Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR RELEASE ON DELIVERY (After 3 P.M.)
SATURDAY AFTERNOON, JUNE 25, 1966
EXCERPTS--KETNOTE SPEECH AT CONNECTICUT 4TH DISTRICT GOP CONVENTION, BRIDGEPORT,
The Republican Party is on the move. The drive to a splendid string of victories
in November is under way, and you delegates to this great convention are in the
vanguard. This is one of the key districts in the country--one of the areas we are
counting on to add to our strength in the Congress.
The Great Opportunity Party is on the move because it is propelled by a new
sense of unity, a new sense of mission and accomplishment, and a fresh realization
that the nation desperately needs Republican leadership.
The new sense of unity is evident throughout our ranks. It has been made
abundantly clear by the willingness of our people to contribute to our 1966 campaign
chest. It rings out in the enthusiasm I have found at party gatherings in my travels
through more than 40 states.
The new sense of mission and accomplishment is demonstrated by our determination
to become the majority party in the Congress, our unwillingness to roll over and play
dead despite the fact that Republicans in both houses of Congress are outnumbered
more than 2 to 1.
We also are on the move toward fresh new solutions for America's problems, sound
solutions that draw their inspiration from the great good sense of the American
people. We are sending House Republican Task Forces throughout the country to stir
thinking and scoop up the yeast of American wisdom at the grass roots.
America is troubled by lack of leadership in the White House and by the "Big
Daddy-ism" that is offered in place of sound solutions and great national goals,
clearly perceived.
The Republican Party, applying the findings of its task forces like that on
urban problems which visited Bridgeport recently, will put before the people a program
that will move this nation toward a greatness based on people and not on cheap dollars.
This nation is floundering in a sea of troubles. It is foundering because
President Johnson's vaunted government by consensus has been lost in a leadership gap.
Government by consensus puts no strains on leadership.
Great leaders make timely and decisive judgments in a crisis and then rally the
people behind them. Deep crises have presented themselves to the man now in the
White House during his 2½ years in office. How has he responded?
(MORE)
-2-
SBEECH EXCERPTS
He has rejected the role of statesman in domestic and foreign affairs. He has
simply played it by ear. Maybe he knows no other way, but playing it by ear is
hardly a demonstration of leadership.
We have been faced for months with an inflation crisis. The inflation crisis
continues because the man in the White House refuses to act. He refuses to cut back
on non-essential federal spending although it is the inflationary policies of his
Administration which are primarily to blame for the continuing climb in the cost of
living. Instead the man in the White House talks about a possible income tax increase.
He sits in the White House and watches and waits-until after the election.
We are caught up in the crisis of the Vietnam War, a war which is costing us
nearly 1,000 casualties a month and more than $1 billion a month in additional
military spending. Republicans have offered proposals for ending the war. Mr. Johnson
doesn't seem to know how.
At home, while the President plays it by ear, the cost of living keeps going up.
The old and the poor, especially, are squeezed in the vise of Johnson-Humphrey
inflation.
The President promises the aged an increase in Social Security payments next
year but prices keep going up this year. And the wage-earner on inflation's escalator
finds his offsetting pay increases nearly wiped out by the 1966 Social Security tax
increase.
The American people are angry, and they have a right to be. City people are
angry about the constant rise in the cost of living. The farmers are angry because
the Johnson-Humphrey-Freeman Administration has beat down farm prices to try to
placate the city people. Labor leaders are unhappy because the Democrats made them
a lot of promises but oouldn't deliver. Negroes are unhappy because the Johnson-
Humphrey Administration talks equal rights but doesn't even adequately enforce the
civil right laws now on the books. Businessmen resent the Administration's pressure
tactics and interference despite the fact Mr. Johnson puts his arm around them. The
poor are angry because the War on Poverty leaders have been long on promises but
short on performance. And the politically oriented poverty warriors are profiting at
the expense of the poor.
What does this all add up to? I predict a gain of at least 40 House seats this
fall. It could go much higher.
The American people deserve much more than a play-it-by-ear President. They
need to fill the leadership gap in Washington. Let's give the President the
Republican Congress he needs to put him on the leadership track.
# # #
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR RELEASE ON DELIVERY (After 3 P.M.)
SATURDAY AFTERNOON, JUNE 25, 1966
EXCERPTS KEYNOTE SPEECH AT CONNECTICUT 4TH DISTRICT GOP CONVENTION, BRIDGEPORT, CONN.
The Republican Party is on the move. The drive to a splendid string of victories
in November is under way, and you delegates to this great convention are in the
vanguard. This is one of the key districts in the country--one of the areas we are
counting on to add to our strength in the Congress.
The Great Opportunity Party is on the move because it is propelled by a new
sense of unity, a new sense of mission and accomplishment, and a fresh realization
that the nation desperately needs Republican leadership.
The new sense of unity is evident throughout our ranks. It has been made
abundantly clear by the willingness of our people to contribute to our 1966 campaign
chest. It rings out in the enthusiasm I have found at party gatherings in my travels
through more than 40 states.
The new sense of mission and accomplishment is demonstrated by our determination
to become the majority party in the Congress, our unwillingness to roll over and play
dead despite the fact that Republicans in both houses of Congress are outnumbered
more than 2 to 1.
We also are on the move toward fresh new solutions for America's problems, sound
solutions that draw their inspiration from the great good sense of the American
people. We are sending House Republican Task Forces throughout the country to stir
thinking and scoop up the yeast of American wisdom at the grass roots.
America is troubled by lack of leadership in the White House and by the "Big
Daddy-ism" that is offered in place of sound solutions and great national goals,
clearly perceived.
The Republican Party, applying the findings of its task forces like that on
urban problems which visited Bridgeport recently, will put before the people a program
that will move this nation toward a greatness based on people and not on cheap dollars.
This nation is floundering in a sea of troubles. It is foundering because
President Johnson's vaunted government by consensus has been lost in a leadership gap.
Government by consensus puts no strains on leadership.
Great leaders make timely and decisive judgments in a crisis and then rally the
people behind them. Deep crises have presented themselves to the man now in the
White House during his 2½ years in office. How has he responded?
(MORE)
-2-
S9EECH EXCERPTS
He has rejected the role of statesman in domestic and foreign affairs. He has
simply played it by ear. Maybe he knows no other way, but playing it by ear is
hardly a demonstration of leadership.
We have been faced for months with an inflation crisis. The inflation crisis
continues because the man in the White House refuses to act. He refuses to cut back
on non-essential federal spending although it is the inflationary policies of his
Administration which are primarily to blame for the continuing climb in the cost of
living. Instead the man in the White House talks about a possible income tax increase.
He sits in the White House and watches and waits--until after the election.
We are caught up in the crisis of the Vietnam War, a war which is costing us
nearly 1,000 casualties a month and more than $1 billion a month in additional
military spending. Republicans have offered proposals for ending the war. Mr. Johnson
doesn't seem to know how.
At home, while the President plays it by ear, the cost of living keeps going up.
The old and the poor, especially, are squeezed in the vise of Johnson-Humphrey
inflation.
The President promises the aged an increase in Social Security payments next
year but prices keep going up this year. And the wage-earner on inflation's escalator
finds his offsetting pay increases nearly wiped out by the 1966 Social Security tax
increase.
The American people are angry, and they have a right to be. City people are
angry about the constant rise in the cost of living. The farmers are angry because
the Johnson-Humphrey-Freeman Administration has beat down farm prices to try to
placate the city people. Labor leaders are unhappy because the Democrats made them
a lot of promises but oouldn't deliver. Negroes are unhappy because the Johnson-
Humphrey Administration talks equal rights but doesn't even adequately enforce the
civil right laws now on the books. Businessmen resent the Administration's pressure
tactics and interference despite the fact Mr. Johnson puts his arm around them. The
poor are angry because the War on Poverty leaders have been long on promises but
short on performance. And the politically oriented poverty warriors are profiting at
the expense of the poor.
What does this all add up to? I predict a gain of at least 40 House seats this
fall. It could go much higher.
The American people deserve much more than a play-it-by-ear President. They
need to fill the leadership gap in Washington. Let's give the President the
Republican Congress he needs to put him on the leadership track.
# # #
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR RELEASE ON DELIVERY (After 3 P.M.)
SATURDAY AFTERNOON, JUNE 25, 1966
EXGERFTS--KEYNOTE SPEECH AT CONNECTICUT 4TH DISTRICT GOP CONVENTION, BRIDGEPORT,
The Republican Party is on the move. The drive to a splendid string of victories
in November is under way, and you delegates to this great convention are in the
vanguard. This is one of the key districts in the country--one of the areas we are
counting on to add to our strength in the Congress.
The Great Opportunity Party is on the move because it is propelled by a new
sense of unity, a new sense of mission and accomplishment, and a fresh realization
that the nation desperately needs Republican leadership.
The new sense of unity is evident throughout our ranks. It has been made
abundantly clear by the willingness of our people to contribute to our 1966 campaign
chest. It rings out in the enthusiasm I have found at party gatherings in my travels
through more than 40 states.
The new sense of mission and accomplishment is demonstrated by our determination
to become the majority party in the Congress, our unwillingness to roll over and play
dead despite the fact that Republicans in both houses of Congress are outnumbered
more than 2 to 1.
We also are on the move toward fresh new solutions for America's problems, sound
solutions that draw their inspiration from the great good sense of the American
people. We are sending House Republican Task Forces throughout the country to stir
thinking and scoop up the yeast of American wisdom at the grass roots.
America is troubled by lack of leadership in the White House and by the "Big
Daddy-ism" that is offered in place of sound solutions and great national goals,
clearly perceived.
The Republican Party, applying the findings of its task forces like that on
urban problems which visited Bridgeport recently, will put before the people a program
that will move this nation toward a greatness based on people and not on cheap dollars.
This nation is floundering in a sea of troubles. It is foundering because
President Johnson's vaunted government by consensus has been lost in a leadership gap.
Government by consensus puts no strains on leadership.
Great leaders make timely and decisive judgments in a crisis and then rally the
people behind them. Deep crises have presented themselves to the man now in the
White House during his 2½ years in office. How has he responded?
(MORE)
-2-
SDEECH EXCERPTS
He has rejected the role of statesman in domestic and foreign affairs. He has
simply played it by ear. Maybe he knows no other way, but playing it by ear is
hardly a demonstration of leadership.
We have been faced for months with an inflation crisis, The inflation crisis
continues because the man in the White House refuses to act. He refuses to cut back
on non-essential federal spending although it is the inflationary policies of his
Administration which are primarily to blame for the continuing climb in the cost of
living. Instead the man in the White House talks about a possible income tax increase.
He sits in the White House and watches and waits--until after the election.
We are caught up in the crisis of the Vietnam War, a war which is costing us
nearly 1,000 casualties a month and more than $1 billion a month in additional
military spending. Republicans have offered proposals for ending the war. Mr. Johnson
doesn't seem to know how.
At home, while the President plays it by ear, the cost of living keeps going up.
The old and the poor, especially, are squeezed in the vise of Johnson-Humphrey
inflation.
The President promises the aged an increase in Social Security payments next
year but prices keep going up this year. And the wage-earner on inflation's escalator
finds his offsetting pay increases nearly wiped out by the 1966 Social Security tax
increase.
The American people are angry, and they have a right to be. City people are
angry about the constant rise in the cost of living. The farmers are angry because
the Johnson-Humphrey-Freeman Administration has beat down farm prices to try to
placate the city people. Labor leaders are unhappy because the Democrats made them
a lot of promises but couldn't deliver. Negroes are unhappy because the Johnson-
Humphrey Administration talks equal rights but doesn't even adequately enforce the
civil right laws now on the books. Businessmen resent the Administration's pressure
tactics and interference despite the fact Mr. Johnson puts his arm around them. The
poor are angry because the War on Poverty leaders have been long on promises but
short on performance. And the politically oriented poverty warriors are profiting at
the expense of the poor.
What does this all add up to? I predict a gain of at least 40 House seats this
fall. It could go much higher.
The American people deserve much more than a play-it-by-ear President. They
need to fill the leadership gap in Washington. Let's give the President the
Republican Congress he needs to put him on the leadership track.
# # #