Government exists to create and preserve conditions in which people can translate their ideas into practical reality. In the best of times, much is lost in translation. But we try.

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.

In a democracy, the public has a right to know not only what the government decides, but why and by what process.

It's more like it is now than it ever has been.

I know I will go to hell, because I pardoned Richard Nixon.

I'm a Ford, not a Lincoln. My addresses will never be as eloquent as Mr. Lincoln's. But I will do my very best to equal his brevity and his plain speaking.

If Lincoln were alive today, he'd be turning over in his grave.