Revitalizing the legacy

President Ford held many distinctions. For example, he was the first President to attain the position without ever being elected to either the Presidential or Vice Presidential slot. He was the first President to pardon someone of a crime they were not even indicted for. He was one of few Presidents to attain the position despite having lesser political ambitions.
He was also anything but distinguished in office. He did little to assuage the looming recession or other economic difficulties. It is my personal belief that his ineffective leadership (or lack thereof) led to a great number of the problems that doomed the Carter Presidency to one of the worst terms in history. This was unfortunate since Cater was one of the best human beings to ever hold the office...good man, bad President.
Be that as it may, the legacy of Ford has always been a forgettable Presidency marked neither by greatness nor incompetence. At times it has seemed as if people just wiped those years from the national consciousness. The 38th Presidency is like the 13th floor...maybe we shouldn't have a button for it and pretend like it isn't there.
Well, at least that has been the analysis until he had the good fortune to kick the bucket. Suddenly Ford was "just what the nation needed after Nixon". Suddenly he was a great leader. Suddenly words he allegedly spoke 2 years ago demonstrate the qualities that made him so valuable as the transition from Nixon to Carter. Of course, much like his Presidency, those words were spoken privately and never brought to light. 2-1/2 years ago they might have had meaning...today they are nothing but more revisionist history.
All this might sound like I am condemning Ford. Not so. He did the best he could with what he had and who he was. It is not his fault he was not particularly suited to the position. He did not ask for the position, did not want it, but when called did not shirk it.
What I am condemning is all the people coming out of the woodwork to wax poetic about him as if they suddenly believe he was the greatest President of the last 50 years. Uhm...no. The number you have reached is no longer in service. Please check your facts and try again.