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Virginia Press Association Annual Banquet, Williamsburg, VA, June 15, 1968
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Virginia Press Association Annual Banquet, Williamsburg, VA, June 15, 1968
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Gerald R. Ford Congressional Papers
Speeches
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U.S. House of Representatives. 3/4/1789-
Crime
Electoral college
Gun control
Inflation (Finance)
Law enforcement
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1968-06-30
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1968
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The original documents are located in Box D25, folder "Virginia Press Association Annual
Banquet, Williamsburg, VA, June 15, 1968" 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States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.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.
VIRGINIA PRESS ASSOCIATI
JUNE 15, 1968
Natural
Good -
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN OF THE VIRGINIA PRESS
ASSOCIATION AND DISTINGUISHED GUESTS:
THANK YOU FOR THE SIGNAL HONOR OF
SPEAKING AT YOUR ANNUAL BANQUET.
THIS IS MY SECOND had VISIT TO WILLIAMSBURG
THIS WEEK. LAST SUNDAY, I TALKED TO THE
addressing
GRADUATING CLASS AT THE COLLEGE OF WILLIAM AND
MARY ABOUT SOME OF THE PRICELESS THINGS WHICH
WERE BROUGHT TO THIS HISTORIC PLACE BY THE
FIRST "POOR PEOPLE'S CAMPAIGN" THAT CAME ACROSS
THE ATLANTIC They OCEAN.
with
few
I
MENTIONED AS EQUALLY
RELEVANT TO TODAY'S URGENT NATIONAL PROBLEMS
THOSE EARLY AMERICAN "POOR PEOPLE'S" DEDICATION
To, AND DEMANDS FOR "LAW, LEARNING AND LIBERTY." "
TONIGHT, HOWEVER, I AM TOLD THAT I AM
FORD
UNINHIBITED BY ANY ACADEMIC CAP AND GOWN AND
LIBRAR
CAN TALK SOME STRAIGHT-FROM-THE-SHOULDER POLITICS.
Digitized from Box D25 of The Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
-2-
THAT WASN'T ALWAYS PRUDENT FOR A
REPUBLICAN IN VIRGINIA. BUT I' M PROUD AND
PLEASED TO SAY THAT, FROM ALL REPORTS REACHING
ME, THE OLD DOMINION, AS USUAL, IS IN THE VANGUARD
OF
BOTH THE SOUTH AND OF THE ENTIRE NATION -- A
VIGOROUS AND VIABLE TWO-PARTY SYSTEM HAS BEEN
RE-ESTABLISHED HERE, AND WE CONFIDENTLY EXPECT
TO FIND VIRGINIA IN THE REPUBLICAN COLUMN COME
NOVEMBER.
SO GREAT IS MY ADMIRATION AND AFFECTION
FOR VIRGINIA -- AS YOU may KNOW MY HOME AWAY FROM
1
MY MICHIGAN HOME IS IN ARLINGTON AND MY CHILDREN
HAVE ALL GROWN UP THERE,/THAT I HESITATE TO
DEBUNK AN OLD AMERICAN LEGEND -- THAT OUR FIRST
PRESIDENT WAS A VIRGINIAN.
BUT I KNOW THE PRESS IS SOLELY INTERESTED
IN THE TRUTH, HOWEVER IT HURTS,-SO 19 LL GIVE IT
TO YOU STRAIGHT. RECENT RESEARCH HAS DISCLOSED
THAT GEORGE WASHINGTON WAS ACTUALLY BORN IN
TEXAS.
-3-
NOW THIS SENSATIONAL NEWS HAS BEEN VERY
CAREFULLY SUPRESSED; CERTAIN POWERFUL FORCES
DON'T WANT THERE TO BE ANY HISTORICAL ARGUMENT
ABOUT WHO IS THE GREATEST TEXAN OF ALL TIME.
BUT THE WAY IT HAPPENED WAS THIS: AUGUSTINE
WASHINGTON GOT PRETTY TIRED OF HIS WIFE MARY'S
COOKING, OR SOMETHING, AND TOOK OFF FROM
WAKEFIELD AND HEADED WEST. HE TOOK HIS INFANT
SON GEORGE WITH HIM AND, EVENTUALLY, THEY SETTLED
DOWN ON THE TEXAS FRONTIER, HERE AUGUSTINE
BECAME A SUCCESSFUL RANCHER, AND THE LITTLE BOY
AMUSED HIMSELF THROWING SILVER PESOS ACROSS THE
PEDERNALES.
AUGUSTINE HAD FEW REGRETS, BUT HE DID
MISS ALL THE BEAUTIFUL GREEN TREES OF TIDEWATER
VIRGINIA, SO HE LAVISHED SPECIAL CARE ON
THE ONE LITTLE MESQUITE BUSH JUST BEHIND THE
BUNKHOUSE. HE GAVE IT WHAT LITTLE WATER WAS
AVAILABLE HIGH. AND, PRESENTLY, IT GREW FIVE OR SIX
FORD
FEET
THEN ONE DAY, WHEN HE RODE IN DUSTY
-4-
AND DOG-TIRED AFTER ROUNDING UP SOME STRAYS. HE
SAW TO HIS HORROR THE LITTLE MESQUITE BUSH
LYING WILTED ON THE GROUND.
"GEORGE!" AUGUSTINE WASHINGTON HOLLERED.
"GEORGE, WHO IN THUNDERATION CHOPPED DOWN MY
BEAUTIFUL MESQUITE BUSH?"
GEORGE REPLIED SHEEPISHLY: "I DID IT,
WITH MY LITTLE TOMAHAWK. FATHER, I CANNOT TELL
A LIE."
AUGUSTINE THOUGHT A MINUTE, THEN SAID:
"C' MON SON, LET'S SADDLE UP. WE'LL BE HEADIN'
BACK TO VIRGINIA. YOU'LL LL NEVER AMOUNT TO ANY-
THING IN TEXAS."
WELL, SO MUCH FOR HISTORY. WE'LL LL SKIP
THE STIRRING TALE OF COL. HUBERT HORATIO
HUMPHREY'S DARING RAID ON THE FEDERAL TREASURY
IN WASHINGTON, AND GET ON TO THE CAMPAIGN OF
1968.
SO FAR, THIS HAS BEEN
YEAR OF
POLITICAL SURPRISES AND STUNNING TRAGEDIES. IT
MAKES PREDICTION A PRECARIOUS BUSINESS; AS A LOT
-5-
OF REPORTERS, POLITICAL COLUMNISTS AND
EDITORIAL WRITERS HAVE ALREADY LEARNED. BUT
THE ISSUES REMAIN UNCHANGED; THE PROBLEMS KEEP
PILING UP; AND I WILL STICK MY NECK WAY OUT AND
FLATLY FORECAST A SWEEPING REPUDIATION OF THE
JOHNSON-HUMPHREY ADMINISTRATION BY THE AMERICAN
ELECTORATE AT THE POLLS THIS YEAR.
YOU'LL NOTICE THAT I DO NOT GO QUITE
SO FAR AS TO PREDICT A SWEEPING NATIONAL
REPUBLICAN VICTORY. THIS IS COMPLICATED BY
SEVERAL FACTORS, OF WHICH " LL HAVE MORE TO SAY
LATER, AMONG THEM THE TRANSPARENT EFFORTS OF
THE PRESIDENT AND SOME
AVOWED DEMOCRATIC
CONTENDERS TO STEAL OUR BEST REPUBLICAN ISSUES
AND REPUDIATE THEIR OWN SORRY RECORD OF
PERFORMANCE, AND OF COURSE THE INCALCULABLE
EFFECTS OF
THIRD OR EVEN FOURTH PARTY
CANDIDACIES,
SO MY OPTIMISM IS NO CAUSE FOR REPUBLICAN
OVERCONFIDENCE ANYWHERE -- IT MAY WELL BE GERAL THE
BRARY
-6-
HARDEST-FOUGHT AND CLOSEST CONTEST IN AMERICAN
HISTORY.
BUT THERE IS ONE SIGN THAT STANDS OUT
LIKE A SORE THUMBPRINT ON EVERYBODY'S CRYSTAL
BALL -- THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE FED UP AND
FEARFUL, YES, THEY ARE ANXIOUS AND ANGRY, ABOUT
THE WAY THINGS ARE GOING WITH THEIR COUNTRY.
LIKE A GATHERING SUMMER STORM, A POWER-
FUL DEMAND AND DETERMINATION FOR CHANGE IS
STIRRING ALL ACROSS OUR LAND. AND IT IS FAR FROM
CERTAIN WHERE THIS PENT-UP FORCE WILL STRIKE,
WHETHER ITS CONSEQUENCES WILL BE FOR GOOD OR
EVIL. THESE ARE THE TIMES, AS TOM PAINE SAID,
THAT TRY MEN'S SOULS -- SOMETIMES THEY SUMMON
PATRIOTS TO ACTION, AND SOMETIMES THEY RAISE
DEMAGOGUES TO POWER.
SO LET'S TALK A LITTLE ABOUT THE ISSUES
OF 1968. THERE IS A VERY REAL DANGER IN THIS
ERA OF INSTANTANEOUS MASS COMMUNICATIONS THAT
THE BASIC AND FUNDAMENTAL ISSUES OF OUR NATIONAL
-7-
LIFE MAY GET LOST IN THE EXCITEMENT OF A RIP-
SNORTING, BARE-KNUCKLE, NO-HOLDS-BARRED
PERSONAL FISTFIGHT FOR POLITICAL POWER. ISSUES
ARE IMPORTANT, AND PART OF THE TROUBLE WE ARE
IN TODAY STEMS FROM THE FACT THAT THEY HAVE BEEN
TOO LONG FUZZED UP AND GLOSSED OVER.
ISSUES IN A POLITICAL CAMPAIGN ARE NOT
MADE BY POLITICIANS.
THERE ARE NO "REPUBLICAN ISSUES" AND
"DEMOCRATIC ISSUES." THERE ARE ONLY AMERICAN
ISSUES AND THEY EMERGE FROM EVENTS. AN ISSUE
ARISES WHEN MATTERS OF PUBLIC CONTROVERSY ARE
RIPE FOR DECISION. THUS THE ISSUES OF 1968 ARE
NOT DULL ABSTRACTIONS -- THEY ARE DEMANDS FOR
ACTION.
I BELIEVE THERE ARE AT LEAST THREE KEY
ISSUES OF THE 1968 CAMPAIGN ALREADY EVIDENT.
THEY ARE ISSUES WHICH AFFECT EVERY MAN, WOMAN
AND CHILD AND PERHAPS UNBORN AMERICANS AS WELL.
AMERICANS ARE GOING TO ASK WHAT THEIR
-8-
NEXT NATIONAL LEADERSHIP IS GOING TO DO TO
PROTECT THEIR LIVES, THE SAFETY OF THEIR HOMES
AND THEIR WORLDLY GOODS, THEIR SECURITY ON THE
PUBLIC STREETS AND AT WORK AND WORSHIP AND PLAY.
THEY ARE GOING TO INSIST THERE BE ONE STANDARD
OF JUSTICE FOR ALL. THEY ARE GOING TO ASK
WHETHER THE LAW WILL BE ENFORCED FIRMLY AND
FAIRLY FOR THE PROTECTION OF LAW-ABIDING
CITIZENS, OR WITH A SPECIAL TOLERANCE FOR
CERTAIN TYPES OF LAWBREAKERS. THEY' ARE GOING TO
EXPECT FROM THEIR FUTURE LEADERS AN EXAMPLE OF
RESPECT FOR LAW AND DECISIVE ACTION TO PREVENT
TROUBLE BEFORE IT STARTS. UNJUST LAWS CAN BE
CHANGED BY DEMOCRATIC PROCESSES, BUT THEY
CANNOT BE DEFIED.
THIS IS GOING TO BE A MAJOR ISSUE OF
1968, PERHAPS EVEN LARGER THAN IT ALREADY LOOMS.
I AM A LAWYER BY PROFESSION AS WELL AS A
ERALD R.FORD LIBRARY
LAWMAKER BY INCLINATION AT THE SUFFERANCE OF
MY CONSTITUENTS. THOMAS JEFFERSON, WHO LEARNED WAS NO
HERE IN THE HOUSE OF BURGESSES THE RULES
RE ONARY AND WHOSE WHYCH STILL GUIDE$ OUR
LEGISLATIVE PROCEDURES IN THE CONGRESS, ONCE
OBSERVED THAT THE EXECUTION OF THE LAWS IS MORE
IMPORTANT THAN THE MAKING OF THEM. WHAT WE NEED
MOST TODAY ARE NOT MORE LAWS,
PERHAPS BETTER
LAWS, AND CERTAINLY BETTER EXECUTION OF THE LAWS
WE HAVE. I PROFOUNDLY BELIEVE THAT LAW IS THE
BASIS OF CIVILIZED SOCIETY. I BELIEVE THAT LAW
EXISTS TO PROTECT THE WEAK, THAT IT PROVIDES A
MINORITY WITH ITS ONLY SURE SHIELD AGAINST THE
TYRANNY OF THE MAJORITY. WHATEVER THE
GRIEVANCES OF ANY INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP, HOWEVER
MUCH HE MAY HAVE BEEN WRONGED, THERE IS NO
SAFETY FOR HIM OR FOR ANY OF US OUTSIDE THE
LAW.
THE REPUBLICAN RECORD ON THE ISSUE OF
LAW ENFORCEMENT IS A PROPER SOURCE OF PRIDE FOR
ME AS OUR PARTY LEADER IN THE HOUSE. THE
DEMOCRATIC RECORD IS PUZZLING, TO SAY THE LEAST. BRART
NINE DAYS AGO, MEETING ON THE DAY OF
KENNEDY'S DEAT
SEN. ROBERT DEATH, THE HOUSE PASSED
AND SENT TO THE PRESIDENT THE LAW ENFORCEMENT
ASSISTANCE AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE ACT OF 1968.
THE HOUSE VOTE WAS 368 TO 17.
THE EARLIER SENATE VOTE WAS 72 TO 4.
THESE OVERWHELMING MAJORITIES REFLECTED
OVERWNELMING
THE MASSIVE DEMAND OF AN AROUSED AMERICA THAT
CRIME MUST BE STOPPED. PEOPLE MUST FEEL SAFE TO
WALK IN THEIR OWN NEIGHBORHOODS, SLEEP IN THEIR
OWN HOMES, WORK IN THEIR OWN STORES. THE LAW
MUST BE UPHELD AND LAWBREAKERS MUST BE
PUNISHED.
BUT MORE THAN A WEEK HAS PASSED AND
PRESIDENT JOHNSON HAS NOT SIGNED THIS
COMPREHENSIVE CRIME BILL INTO LAW. WHAT IS HE
WAITING FOR?
IMMEDIATELY, THE PRESIDENT CLOUDED THIS
LIFE-AND-DEATH LEGISLATION BY ATTACKING ITS
GUN-CONTROL PROVISIONS, INCIDENTALLY AUTHORED
BY SENATE DEMOCRATS, AND UTTERLY IGNORING THE
-11-
NINE OTHER URGENTLY-NEEDED SECTIONS OF THE
OMNIBUS BILL,MOST OF WHICH BEAR A STRONG
REPUBLICAN STAMP.
THE MAJOR GUN CONTROL PROVISIONS CONGRESS
ALREADY HAS APPROVED STILL AWAIT THE PRESIDENT'S
SIGNATURE, ALONG WITH OTHER LONG-OVERDUE, LANDMARK
ANTI-CRIME PROVISIONS.
WHAT IS THE PRESIDENT WAITING FOR?
INSTEAD OF TAKING PROMPT AND
CONSTRUCTIVE ACTION, HE APPOINTED ANOTHER STUDY
COMMISSION. EVEN IF HE INTENDS TO VETO THE
CRIME BILL, HE SHOULD DO SO WITHOUT DELAY SO
WE CAN RE-ENACT IT OVER HIS VETO.
MORE THAN ONE WEEK HAS BEEN LOST.
PROJECTING = FBI CRIME INDEX STATISTICS OVER
THIS PERIOD, MORE THAN 90,000 MAJOR CRIMES HAVE
OCCURRED IN THIS COUNTRY; SOME 316 MURDERS,
682 RAPES, 4,300 ROBBERIES AND OVER 6,400
AGGRAVATED ASSAULTS HAVE TICKED OFF THE CRIME
RAL
LIBRARY
CLOCK SINCE CONGRESS DID ITS DUTY 9 DAYS AGO
TODAY.
-12-
BESIDES THE GUN-CONTROL SECTIONS, THE
CRIME BILL ON THE PRESIDENT'S DESK CONTAINS
THESE IMPORTANT PROVISIONS:
1 -- BLOCK GRANTS OF FEDERAL FUNDS TO
ASSIST STATE GOVERNMENTS IN THE WAR ON CRIME --
SPONSORED BY SEN. DIRKSEN IN THE SENATE AND
REPUBLICAN REP. CAHILL IN THE HOUSE -- URGED BY
VIRTUALLY ALL STATE GOVERNORS OF BOTH PARTIES
OVER THE OPPOSITION OF THE PRESIDENT AND THE
ATTORNEY GENERAL. An. Goodun
2 -- FEDERAL PROHIBITION OF ALL PRIVATE
ELECTRONIC EAVESDROPPING AND WIRE-TAPPING, ALONG
WITH CAREFULLY-DEFINED PERMISSION FOR SUCH
SURVEILLANCE BY ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS UNDER COURT
AUTHORIZATION AND SUPERVISION. ONE OF THE
CHIEF SPONSORS OF THIS KEY PROVISION WAS REP.
DICK POFF, OF RADFORD, A DISTINGUISHED
VIRGINIAN WHO SITS ON THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
AND IS CHAIRMAN OF OUR HOUSE REPUBLICAN TASK
FORCE ON CRIME. THE PRESIDENT'S OWN CRIME
LIBRARY
-13-
COMMISSION MADE THESE RECOMMENDATIONS. THE
PRESIDENT HAS OPPOSED THEM. THESE ARE MAJOR
BREAKTHROUGHS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST ORGANIZED
CRIME, ESPIONAGE AND SUBVERSION.
3 -- AUTHORIZATION FOR A NATIONAL
INSTITUTE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CRIMINAL
MY
JUSTICE, FIRST PROPOSED IN
JANUARY 1967
WITH
REPUBLICAN STATE OF THE UNION MESSAGE
SEN.
DIRKSEN AND INCORPORATED IN THE BILL BY
REP. McCLORY, & REPUBLICAN OF ILLINOIS.
4 -- AMENDMENTS AUTHORED BY SEN. SCOTT,
SEN. ALLOTT AND REP. RAILSBACK, ALL REPUBLICANS,
TO MODIFY AND CLARIFY RECENT SUPREME COURT
DECISIONS ON THE ADMISSABILITY OF CONFESSIONS
AND OTHER EVIDENCE.
5 -- PROVISIONS FOR "COMMUNITY SERVICE
OFFICERS" PROPOSED BY REPUBLICAN SEN. PERCY AND
REPUBLICAN REP. GOODELL TO IMPROVE RELATIONS
BETWEEN POLICE AND CITIZENS. AN OVERALL FORD
APPLICATION OF THE AMENDMENT BY REP. BROYHILL LIBRI
-14-
DENY EMPLOYMENT
REPUBLICAN OF ARLINGTON, TO RECENT APPROPRIATION
TO
BILLS CONCERNING FEDERAL CIVIL SERVANTS WHO ARE
CONVICTED OF CRIMES RELATED TO RIOTS. REPUBLICAN
SEN. MURPHY'S AMENDMENT REQUIRING FUTURE DIRECT-
ORS OF THE FBI TO BE CONFIRMED BY THE SENATE.
AN AMENDMENT BY REPUBLICAN SEN. HRUSKA TO HELP
STATES FIGHT ORGANIZED CRIME.
URGENT
ALL THESE MATTERS ARE AWAITING FINAL
APPROVAL AT THE WHITE HOUSE.
WHAT IS THE PRESIDENT WAITING FOR?
UNDER THE CONSTITUTION, OF COURSE, THE
PRESIDENT HAS UNTIL WEDNESDAY TO SIGN OR VETO
THIS VITAL BILL, OR LET IT BECOME LAW WITHOUT
HIS EXPLICIT APPROVAL. BUT THE CONSTITUTION
DOES NOT REQUIRE HIM TO WAIT THE FULL PERIOD,
AND HE OFTEN HAS BEEN EAGER AND IMPATIENT TO
PASS OUT PENS BEFORE THE PHOTOGRAPHERS AND TV
CAMERAS AFTER SIGNING GREAT SOCIETY LAWS HE
LIKED.
ERALD FORD LIBRARY
IT HAPPENS TO BE A COLNCIDENCE, MAY
-15-
REMIND YOU, THAT THE DEADLINE FOR PRESIDENTIAL
ACTION ON THIS CRIME BILL IS THE DAY SET FOR
MASSIVE
THE "POOR PEOPLE'S" DEMONSTRATION IN WASHINGTON,
D.C.
THE SECOND MAJOR ISSUE OF 1968, AS I
NOW SEE THE CAMPAIGN, IS GOING TO BE INFLATION,
THE SKYROCKETING COST OF LIVING, THE EROSION OF
SAVINGS, AND THE IMMINENT THREAT TO THE VALUE OF
THE AMERICAN DOLLAR.
LIKE CRIME, THIS ISSUE PERSONALLY
AFFECTS AND ALARMS EVERYBODY.
WHAT REAL DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE
WHETHER A ROBBER STEALS YOUR PURSE SWIFTLY OR
A GOVERNMENT'S FOLLY MAKES YOUR MONEY WORTHLESS
OVER A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME? WHETHER A LOOTER
OR ARSONIST PUTS YOU OUT OF BUSINESS OR OUT OF
A JOB OVERNIGHT OR RECKLESS FISCAL POLICIES
AND EVER-RISING FEDERAL TAXES DO THE SAME THING
IN EIGHT YEARS?
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE
FORD VIEHARY
-16-
BOARD RECENTLY CURLED THE HAIR -- SUCH AS THEY
HAVE -- OF THE NATION'S TOP EDITORS. HE WARNED
THEM IN WASHINGTON THAT "THE NATION IS IN THE
MIDST OF THE WORST FINANCIAL CRISIS SINCE 1931"
AND THAT THIS COULD LEAD "TO UNCONTROLLABLE
INFLATION AND EVENTUAL DEFLATION OR DEPRESSION." "
labored
I
SHUDDER TO REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENED IN
1931 AND I'M DETERMINED TO PUT POLITICS ASIDE
AND TRY TO HELP PREVENT ITS REPETITION, EVEN
INFLATION is
THOUGH
CLEARLY THE RESULT OF DEMOCRATIC
SPENDING AND FISCAL MISMANAGEMENT. BUT I DON'T
NEED TO LABOR THE POINT OF WHAT THE COST OF
LIVING ISSUE MEANS TO ANY GROUP THAT WORKS FOR
WHY
A
LIVING OR TELL YOU YOUR PAY RAISES HAVEN T
RISING
KEPT UP WITH COSTS, EVER SINCE PRESIDENT
OR REMIND YOU HOW MUCH
A HOME MORTGAGE COSTS UNDER THE RECORD LBJ
CREDIT CRUNCH?
SO I'D SAY CRIME AND THE COST OF LIVING
ARE THE TOP DOMESTIC ISSUES, AND THAT NO
GERALD
BRARY
-17-
DEMOCRATIC TICKET OR CANDIDATE CAN ESCAPE EITHER
OF THEM NOW.
A YEAR AGO I WOULD HAVE SAID THE TOP
ISSUES OF THE 1968 CAMPAIGN WOULD BE THE VIETNAM
WAR AND THE CREDIBILITY GAP. TONIGHT I MUST TELL
YOU CANDIDLY THAT I DON'T KNOW HOW THE VIETNAM
WAR WILL AFFECT THE FORTHCOMING ELECTIONS; I
DON'T KNOW WHAT THE ADMINISTRATION PLANS TO DO
EITHER IN FURTHER ESCALATING THE WAR OR
NEGOTIATING SOME KIND OF PEACE, AND I DON'T
BELIEVE -- FOR OUR COUNTRY'S SAKE -- THAT I
SHOULD QUESTION THE PRESIDENT ON THIS POINT AND
AT THIS TIME AS CLOSELY AS I HAVE ON CRIME.
VIETNAM HAS TO BE AN ISSUE -- IT CAN'T HELP
BEING AN ISSUE WITH THE TOLL OF YOUNG AMERICANS
WHILE
KILLED IN ACTION EVERY WEEK,
WHICH
THE
PARIS
GO ON AND
TALKS
ARE
GOING ON, RUNNING AS HIGH OR HIGHER
THAN THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM TONIGHT.
BUT IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO DISCUSS THE
FORD
VIETNAM WAR RESPONSIBLY OR REALISTICALLY IN
-18-
RELATION TO THE CAMPAIGN BEFORE THE CANDIDATES
ARE CHOSEN AND UNTIL WE SEE MORE CLEARLY WHAT
COURSE IT MAY TAKE. atthongh avenue will
nh why
AS FOR THE CREDIBILITY GAP, THIS TERM
WAS INVENTED BY THE PRESS AND HAS BEEN A FAVORITE
OF YOURS AS WELL AS MINE. IT IS REALLY A NICE
inspend
Mature
WAY OF AVOIDING THE UGLY WORD "LYING " BUT I AM
AFRAID IT HAS PASSED ITS PRIME. WHAT MORE CAN
YOU SAY WHEN A PRESIDENT ANNOUNCES HE WON'
RUN FOR RE-ELECTION AND THE AMERICAN PRESS AND
PEOPLE STILL ARE NOT QUITE SURE WHETHER TO
BELIEVE IT OR NOT?
IF THE 1968 ELECTION WERE TO BE DECIDED
SOLELY ON THE ISSUES, IT ISN'T TOO FAR-FETCHED TO
SAY REPUBLICANS WOULD SWEEP THE COUNTRY. BUT IT
MAY NOT BE DECIDED EITHER BY ISSUES OR POPULAR
PRESIDENTIAL
PERSONALITIES
VOTES.
THE 1968 THREATS OF A SENATOR McCARTHY
ON THE LEFT AND A GEORGE WALLACE ON THE RIGHT
POSE PROBLEMS FOR REPUBLICANS AS WELL AS FOR
IBRARY
-19-
JOHNSON-HUMPHREY DEMOCRATS. THE PROSPECT OF A
THIRD OR FOURTH PARTY PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE
WINNING THE ELECTORAL VOTES OF SOME STATES IS
QUITE LIKELV
SERIOUS POSSIBILITY. IN A CLOSE ELECTION,
THE CHOICE OF OUR NEXT PRESIDENT COULD BE THROWN
INTO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE FIRST
TIME SINCE 1825.
AFTER 142 YEARS OF DISUSE IT'S NOT
SURPRISING MOST AMERICANS HAVE FORGOTTEN THAT
WHEN THERE'S NO MAJORITY IN THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE,
AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CHOOSES THE
PRESIDENT FROM THE TOP THREE CONTENDERS, WE
BALLOT NOT AS INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS BUT BY STATE
DELEGATIONS
THUS THE STATES REPRESENTED IN THE HOUSE
BY ONE CONGRESSMAN -- AND FOUR OUT OF FIVE OF
THESE ARE NOW REPUBLICANS -- COUNT AS MUCH IN
A PRESIDENTIAL RUNOFF AS THE BIG HOUSE
DELEGATIONS OF NEW YORK, CALIFORNIA AND TEXAS,
NOW DEMOCRATIC. AND THOSE STATES WHERE PARTY
-20-
STRENGTH IS EQUAL OR TIED, AS ILLINOIS, OREGON
AND MONTANA NOW ARE, WOULD HAVE NO VOICE AT ALL
IN THE DECISION.
IT TAKES AN ABSOLUTE MAJORITY OF 26
STATE DELEGATIONS REQUIRED TO DECIDE A CLOSE
PRESIDENTIAL CONTEST. RIGHT NOW WE HOLD ONLY
18 REPUBLICAN DELEGATIONS, WHILE THE DEMOCRATS
DOMINATE 29, AND THREE ARE "EVEN-STEVEN."
BUT THE ODDS ON OUR PICKING UP EIGHT
MORE STATE DELEGATIONS ARE NOT AS BAD AS THEY
LOOK.
7
FOR INSTANCE, THERE ARE SEVEN STATES
WHERE ONE REPUBLICAN REPLACING AN INCUMBENT
DEMOCRAT IN THE HOUSE WOULD SWITCH CONTROL OF
THE STATE DELEGATION FROM DEMOCRAT TO
REPUBLICAN, THE THREE TIED DELEGATIONS ALREADY
MENTIONED PLUS PENNSYLVANIA, NEVADA, KENTUCKY
AND TENNESSEE. AND WE HAVE REPUBLICAN GOVERNORS
IN 5 OF THESE 7.
I
RALD LIBRARY RALD R. FORD
THERE ALSO ARE 11 STATES -- 7 OF THEM
-21-
ONE
WITH REPUBLICAN GOVERNORS -- WHERE A SWITCH
WOULD TIE UP THE DELEGATION AND DENY IT TO THE
DEMOCRATS. ALSO, A NET GAIN OF TWO REPUBLICAN
SEATS WOULD WIN ANY OF THESE 11 STATES FOR THE
REPUBLICAN STANDARD-BEARER. THEY ARE
ARKANSAS,
COLORADO,
MARYLAND, R3-05. R3 D5 OKLAHOMA R2 D4
MASSACHUSETTS R5 D7
NEW MEXICO D2
HAWAII, D2. RHODE ISLAND D2
ALABAMA, R3 D5 MAINE D2 AND, AND OF COURSE,
VIRGINIA.
VIRGINIA IS NOW REPRESENTED IN THE
HOUSE BY 10 MEMBERS, SIX DEMOCRATS AND FOUR
REPUBLICANS. I 'VE ALREADY MENTIONED TWO OF OUR
ABLE VIRGINIA REPUBLICANS, DICK POFF AND JOEL
BROYHILL, AND THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CRIME
BILL. TWO YEARS AGO THEY WERE JOINED BY BILL
SCOTT AND BILL WAMPLER. FROM THE 8th 8 AND 9th. 9
DISTRICTS.
AND
THEY HAVE BEEN OUTSTANDING
GERALD FORD LIBRARY
CONGRESSMEN AMONG AN EXTRAORDINARILY FINE CLASS
-22-
OF 47 REPUBLICAN REINFORCEMENTS WHICH THE
VOTERS SENT US IN 1966 AS A TOKEN OF THINGS TO
COME.
Brood/Broad
THIS YEAR, WITH MY GOOD FRIEND PORTER
HARDY RETIRING IN THE 2nd DISTRICT, I BELIEVE
REPUBLICANS AND LIKE-MINDED DEMOCRATS IN THE
NORFOLK AREA HAVE A GOOD CHANCE OF ELECTING
DR. BILL WHITEHURST OF OLD DOMINION COLLEGE TO
THAT VACANT SEAT.
THAT WOULD TIE UP THE VIRGINIA
DELEGATION, ANY 5-TO-5, AND PRESIDENTIAL AT LEAST DENY ITS VOTE
TO # GREAT SOCIETY CANDIDATE IN A HOUSE
CONTEST.
BUT
THE "MOTHER OF PRESIDENTS"
SURELY
THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA A DESERVES BETTER
THAN SUCH A STANDBY ROLE -- I BELIEVE VIRGINIA
WILL NOT ONLY SEND 12 REPUBLICAN ELECTORS TO
THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE BUT, IN CASE OF A DEADLOCK,
HAVE A MAJORITY OF REPUBLICANS ON ITS HOUSE
DELEGATION IN THE 91st CONGRESS.
BERMLD FORD LIBRARY
ALL FOUR REPUBLICAN INCUMBENTS SHOULD
-23-
BE RE-ELECTED AND WE CAN GAIN AT LEAST TWO
OF THE SIX SEATS NOW HELD BY DEMOCRATS -- THE
2nd DISTRICT AND AT LEAST ONE OTHER, IN MY
JUDGMENT.
WE HAVE FINE CANDIDATES SUCH AS JOHN
HANSEN IN RICHMOND, WELDON TUCK IN SOUTH
BOSTON'S 5th DISTRICT, "PETE" GIESON OF
CAN
VERONA.
I WOULD HOPE THEY COULD ALL JOIN US
IN THE NEXT CONGRESS. I HOPE TO LEARN MORE FROM
YOU WHO ARE CLOSER TO THE PICTURE ABOUT ALL OUR
VIRGINIA CAMPAIGNS so, WITHOUT FURTHER ADO
EXCEPT TO THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY,
LET'S HAVE YOUR QUESTIONS.
GLRAID FORD VIDRARY
MOllio Copy
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
--FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE--
June 15, 1968
Excerpts from a Speech by Rep. Gerald R. Ford (R-Mich.), at the Virginia Press
Association Annual Banquet, Williamsburg, Virginia, June 15, 1968.
Thank you for the signal honor of speaking at your annual banquet.
This is my second visit to Williamsburg this week. Last Sunday I talked to
the graduating class at the College of William and Mary. Tonight, however, I am
told that I am uninhibited by any academic cap and gown and can talk some straight-
from-the-shoulder politics.
That wasn't always prudent for a Republican in Virginia. But I'm proud and
pleased to say that, from all reports reaching me, the Old Dominion as usual is in
the vanguard of both the South and the entire nation -- a vigorous and viable two-
party system has been re-established here and we confidently expect to find Virginia
in the Republican column come November.
So far this has been a year of political surprises and stunning tragedies.
It makes prediction a precarious business; as a lot of reporters, political
columnists and editorial writers have already learned. But the issues remain
unchanged; the problems keep piling up; and I will stick my neck way out and flatly
forecast a sweeping repudiation of the Johnson-Humphrey Administration by the
American electorate at the polls this year.
You'll notice that I do not go quite so far as to predict a sweeping national
Republican victory. This is complicated by several factors, among them the trans-
parent efforts of the President and some of the avowed Democratic contenders to
steal our best Republican issues and repudiate their own sorry record of performance,
and of course the incalculable effects of a third or even fourth party candidacies.
So my optimism is no cause for Republican everconfidence anywhere -- it may well be
the hardest-fought and closest contest in American history.
But there is one sign that stands out like a sore thumbprint on everybody's
crystal ball -- the American people are fed up and fearful, yes, they are anxious
and angry, about the way things are going with their country.
Like a gathering summer storm, a powerful demand and determination for change
is stirring all across our land. And it is far from certain where this pent-up
force will strike, whether its consequences will be for good or evil. These are
the times, as Tom Paine said, that try men's souls -- sometimes they summon patriots
to action, and sometimes they raise demagogues to power.
(more)
-2-
Nine days ago, meeting on the day of Sen. Robert Kennedy's death, the House
passed and sent to the President the Law Enforcement Assistance and Criminal Justice
Act of 1968.
The House vote was 368 to 17.
The earlier Senate vote was 72 to 4.
These overwhelming majorities reflected the massive demand of an aroused
America that crime must be stopped.
But more than a week has passed and President Johnson has not signed this
comprehensive crime bill into law. What is he waiting for?
Projecting the FBI Crime Index statistics over this nine-day delay, more than
90,000 major crimes have occurred in this country; some 316 murders, 682 rapes,
4,300 robberies and over 6,400 aggravated assaults.
What is the President waiting for?
Under the Constitution, of course, the President has until Wednesday to sign
or veto this vital bill. But the Constitution does not require him to wait the full
period, and he often has been eager and impatient to pass out pens before the photo-
graphers and TV cameras after signing Great Society laws he likes.
If the 1968 election were to be decided solely on the issues, Republicans
should sweep the country. But it may not be so decided.
The 1968 threats of a Senator McCarthy on the left and a George Wallace on
the right pose problems for Republicans as well as for Johnson-Humphrey Democrats.
The prospect of a third or fourth party Presidential candidate winning some electoral
votes is serious. The choice of our next President could be thrown into the House of
Representatives for the first time since 1825.
Virginia is now represented in the House by six Democrats and four Republicans.
Veteran Congressmen Dick Poff of Radford and Joel Broyhill of Arlington were joined
two years ago by Bill Scott and Bill Wampler, from the 8th and 9th Congressional
Districts. They have been outstanding among the 47 reinforcements the voters sent
us in 1966 as a token of things to come.
This year, with my good friend Porter Hardy retiring in the 2nd District, I
believe Republicans and like-minded Democrats in the Norfolk area have a good chance
of electing Dr. Bill Whitehurst of Old Dominion College to that vacant seat.
That would tie up the Virginia delegation, 5 - to - 5, and at least deny its
vote to any Great Society candidate in a House showdown. But as the "Mother of
Presidents" the Commonwealth of Virginia deserves better than such a standby role --
I believe Virginia will not only send 12 Republican electors to the Electoral College
but, in case of a deadlock, have a majority of Republicans on its House delegation
in the 91st Congress.
# # #
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
--FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE--
June 15, 1968
Excerpts from a Speech by Rep. Gerald R. Ford (R-Mich.), at the Virginia Press
Association Annual Banquet, Williamsburg, Virginia, June 15, 1968.
Thank you for the signal honor of speaking at your annual banquet.
This is my second visit to Williamsburg this week. Last Sunday I talked to
the graduating class at the College of William and Mary. Tonight, however, I am
told that I am uninhibited by any academic cap and gown and can talk some straight-
from-the-shoulder politics.
That wasn't always prudent for a Republican in Virginia. But I'm proud and
pleased to say that, from all reports reaching me, the Old Dominion as usual is in
the vanguard of both the South and the entire nation -- a vigorous and viable two-
party system has been re-established here and we confidently expect to find Virginia
in the Republican column come November.
So far this has been a year of political surprises and stunning tragedies.
It makes prediction a precarious business; as a lot of reporters, political
columnists and editorial writers have already learned. But the issues remain
unchanged; the problems keep piling up; and I will stick my neck way out and flatly
forecast a sweeping repudiation of the Johnson-Humphrey Administration by the
American electorate at the polls this year.
You'll notice that I do not go quite so far as to predict a sweeping national
Republican victory. This is complicated by several factors, among them the trans-
parent efforts of the President and some of the avowed Democratic contenders to
steal our best Republican issues and repudiate their own sorry record of performance,
and of course the incalculable effects of a third or even fourth party candidacies.
So my optimism is no cause for Republican overconfidence anywhere -- it may well be
the hardest-fought and closest contest in American history.
But there is one sign that stands out like a sore thumbprint on everybody's
crystal ball -- the American people are fed up and fearful, yes, they are anxious
and angry, about the way things are going with their country.
Like a gathering summer storm, a powerful demand and determination for change
is stirring all across our land. And it is far from certain where this pent-up
force will strike, whether its consequences will be for good or evil. These are
the times, as Tom Paine said, that try men's souls -- sometimes they summon patriots
to action, and sometimes they raise demagogues to power.
(more)
-2-
Nine days ago, meeting on the day of Sen. Robert Kennedy's death, the House
passed and sent to the President the Law Enforcement Assistance and Criminal Justice
Act of 1968.
The House vote was 368 to 17.
The earlier Senate vote was 72 to 4.
These overwhelming majorities reflected the massive demand of an aroused
America that crime must be stopped.
But more than a week has passed and President Johnson has not signed this
comprehensive crime bill into law. What is he waiting for?
Projecting the FBI Crime Index statistics over this nine-day delay, more than
90,000 major crimes have occurred in this country; some' 316 murders, 682 rapes,
4,300 robberies and over 6,400 aggravated assaults.
What is the President waiting for?
Under the Constitution, of course, the President has until Wednesday to sign
or veto this vital bill. But the Constitution does not require him to wait the full
period, and he often has been eager and impatient to pass out pens before the photo-
graphers and TV cameras after signing Great Society laws he likes.
If the 1968 election were to be decided solely on the issues, Republicans
should sweep the country. But it may not be so decided.
The 1968 threats of a Senator McCarthy on the left and a George Wallace on
the right pose problems for Republicans as well as for Johnson-Humphrey Democrats.
The prospect of a third or fourth party Presidential candidate winning some electoral
votes is serious. The choice of our next President could be thrown into the House of
Representatives for the first time since 1825.
Virginia is now represented in the House by six Democrats and four Republicans.
Veteran Congressmen Dick Poff of Radford and Joel Broyhill of Arlington were joined
two years ago by Bill Scott and Bill Wampler, from the 8th and 9th Congressional
Districts. They have been outstanding among the 47 reinforcements the voters sent
us in 1966 as a token of things to come.
This year, with my good friend Porter Hardy retiring in the 2nd District, I
believe Republicans and like-minded Democrats in the Norfolk area have a good chance
of electing Dr. Bill Whitehurst of Old Dominion College to that vacant seat.
That would tie up the Virginia delegation, 5 - to - 5, and at least deny its
vote to any Great Society candidate in a House showdown. But as the "Mother of
Presidents" the Commonwealth of Virginia deserves better than such a standby role --
I believe Virginia will not only send 12 Republican electors to the Electoral College
but, in case of a deadlock, have a majority of Republicans on its House delegation
in the 91st Congress.
# # #