Letter from Gerald Ford to President Richard Nixon Regarding Vice President Candidates
10/11/1973
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Vice President Spiro Agnew resigned in 1973 after being accused of tax evasion. Section 2 of the 25th Amendment states that the President can nominate a person for the vacancy. That person must then be confirmed by a majority vote of both houses of Congress.
President Richard Nixon sought input on the selection of a nominee from a wide array of advisers. House Minority Leader Gerald Ford sent a letter to Nixon listing his suggestions for a new Vice President.
Nixon, however, ignored Ford’s recommendations and instead chose Ford himself. Congress approved, and Ford took the oath of office two months later.
The following year, in 1974, President Nixon resigned amid the Watergate scandal, and Ford became President. Under the 25th Amendment, Ford then nominated Nelson Rockefeller to be Vice President, and Congress again approved. For the remainder of the term, America’s top two political positions were occupied by men who had not been elected by the American people.
President Richard Nixon sought input on the selection of a nominee from a wide array of advisers. House Minority Leader Gerald Ford sent a letter to Nixon listing his suggestions for a new Vice President.
Nixon, however, ignored Ford’s recommendations and instead chose Ford himself. Congress approved, and Ford took the oath of office two months later.
The following year, in 1974, President Nixon resigned amid the Watergate scandal, and Ford became President. Under the 25th Amendment, Ford then nominated Nelson Rockefeller to be Vice President, and Congress again approved. For the remainder of the term, America’s top two political positions were occupied by men who had not been elected by the American people.
Transcript
House of RepresentativesWashington, D. C. 20515
[seal]
Gerald R. Ford
Minority Leader
October 11, 1973
Dear Mr. President:
On the basis of the criteria outlined by you at the meeting in your office I am recommending the following in the order of my preference:
1. John Connally
2. Mel Laird
3. Nelson Rockefeller or Ronald Reagan
I will not go into the reasons for my views as I'm sure you are familiar with reasons in each instance.
You can rest assured that I will fully cooperate and assist in this and all other problems in the months ahead.
Warmest personal regards.
Sincerely,
[signature]
Gerald R. Ford, M.C.
The President
White House
This primary source comes from the Collection RN-SMOF: White House Staff Member and Office Files (Nixon Administration).
National Archives Identifier: 26080952
Full Citation: Letter from Gerald Ford to President Richard Nixon Regarding Vice President Candidates; 10/11/1973; President's Personal Files, 1/20/1969 - 8/9/1974; Collection RN-SMOF: White House Staff Member and Office Files (Nixon Administration); Richard Nixon Library, Yorba Linda, CA. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/ford-nixon-vp-candidates, December 12, 2024]Rights: Public Domain, Free of Known Copyright Restrictions. Learn more on our privacy and legal page.
