Maine political figures recall ‘humble’ president

William S. Cohen, who served in the U.S. House and Senate and later as U.S. secretary of defense, recalled the famous statement that former President Gerald R. Ford made when he took over the office in 1974: “I’m a Ford, not a Lincoln.”

“That was his way of expressing his humility,” Cohen said Wednesday, remembering the man he found to be straightforward, honest, honorable and humble.

Ford, the 38th U.S. president, died Tuesday at his home in California at age 93 after battling a variety of illnesses.

“He didn’t want people to inflate expectations. He came to this position not seeking it,” said Cohen, who heads the Cohen Group, a Washington-based international business consulting firm. “His stated goal in his political life was to become Speaker of the House.”

Cohen was a freshman member of the House and Ford was minority leader when the two met.

“He welcomed all freshman members and introduced himself to each one of us individually,” Cohen said. “I knew him well. As a freshman congressman, I had the opportunity to actually pass judgment on him, which is a rare experience for someone who is in his first term in Congress.”

The impeachment investigation of President Richard M. Nixon was under way at the time, and in passing judgment on the soon-to-be appointed Ford, Cohen took the opportunity to learn more about Ford’s background, policies and leadership and then to question him.

“That was somewhat unique,” Cohen said. “I was fairly aggressive in my questioning, particularly on certain issues.”

Cohen said he was upset with Nixon’s appointment of sitting judge Matthew Byrne as FBI director.

“I thought that was an attempt to undermine the integrity of the judicial process,” Cohen said. The appointment was one of the key issues he questioned Ford about.

Ford made few visits to Maine, traveling to Portland and Loring Air Force Base in Limestone.

There was a stronger Maine connection in the vice president Ford appointed, Nelson Rockefeller.

Rockefeller was born in Bar Harbor, and the family continues to have a presence in the Mount Desert Island community. Rockefeller was in Maine the day he was appointed to serve as the 41st vice president of the United States.

“The country wasn’t exactly sure what we were doing,” Cohen said.

Nixon was the first president in more than 100 years to face impeachment, resigning before the action moved forward, but Cohen said he supported Ford and approved of his confirmation as president.

“He represents, to me at least, what we need more of in this country in terms of our political leaders,” Cohen said, describing the former president as a man with firm convictions who was humble and didn’t have any hidden agendas.

“That’s what he represented to me and to the country, I think, during a very turbulent time,” Cohen said.

Shortly after Ford became president he took a controversial step in pardoning Nixon.

“In retrospect, it was the right thing to do and the wise thing to do at the time,” Cohen said. “[But it] probably cost him the presidency when he sought election [in 1976].”

Cohen also recalled Ford’s ability to bring Republicans together and to cross party lines and work closely with Democrats.

“He had that sense of decency about him that he never harbored ill will that I ever detected or saw,” Cohen said. “Democrats admired and respected him as much as Republicans.”

Other Mainers on Wednesday also recalled and mourned the loss of Ford, remembering him for his integrity and decency at a difficult time in American history.

“He was truly a great American who devoted his life not only to the nation he loved, but also to the finest and most ennobling ideals of public service,” according to a statement from U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe.

Her husband, former Gov. John R. McKernan Jr., said he was proud to have served as Ford’s Maine chairman for his 1976 re-election campaign, as well as head of New England Republicans for Ford at the Republican National Convention in Kansas City that same year.

“His service stood in testament not only to the positive power of public service, but also as an enduring example of how office holders at all levels should work to bring people together and forge consensus for the purpose of producing meaningful results,” McKernan said.

In accordance with U.S. and Maine State Law, U.S. and Maine state flags are directed to be flown at half-staff for 30 days after the death of a U.S. President.

“We remember him for his dedication to family and country and his leadership that successfully steered the course of the nation during a very difficult time,” Baldacci said Wednesday in a prepared statement. “He dedicated many years of service to open and responsive government, restoring the nation’s trust in the Presidency and in the democracy on which this country was built.”