Gerald R. Ford

“The political lesson of Watergate is this: Never again must America allow an arrogant, elite guard of political adolescents to by-pass the regular party organization and dictate the terms of a national election.”

“I would hope that understanding and reconciliation are not limited to the 19th hole alone.”

“Tell the truth, work hard, and come to dinner on time.”

“When a man is asked to make a speech, the first thing he has to decide is what to say.”

“I am a Ford, not a Lincoln.”

“A coalition of groups is waging a massive propaganda campaign against the president of the United States. an all-out attack. Their aim is total victory for themselves and total defeat for him.”

“Even though this is late in an election year, there is no way we can go forward except together and no way anybody can win except by serving the people's urgent needs. We cannot stand still or slip backwards. We must go forward now together.”

“History and experience tell us that moral progress comes not in comfortable and complacent times, but out of trial and confusion.”

“I feel it is my first duty to make an unprecedented compact with my countrymen. Not an inaugural address, not a fireside chat, not a campaign speech - just a little straight talk among friends.”

“Our Constitution works; our great republic is a government of laws and not of men. Here, the people rule.”

“If I went back to college again, I'd concentrate on two areas learning to write and to speak before an audience. Nothing in life is more important than the ability to communicate effectively.”

“I am acutely aware that you have not elected me as your President by your ballots, so I ask you to confirm me with your prayers.”

“Truth is the glue that holds government together.”

“I cannot imagine any other country in the world where the opposition would seek, and the chief executive would allow, the dissemination of his most private and personal conversations with his staff, which, to be honest, do not exactly confer sainthood on anyone concerned.”

“All my children have spoken for themselves since they first learned to speak, and not always with my advance approval, and I expect that to continue in the future.”