I was deeply saddened this evening when I heard of Jerry Fords death. Ronnie and I always considered him a dear friend and close political ally.
"His accomplishments and devotion to our country are vast, and even long after he left the Presidency he made it a point to speak out on issues important to us all. I know that his early support of stem cell research has been important in getting the U.S. Congress to debate the potential lifesaving cures and treatments that may result.
"I know the days ahead will be very difficult for Betty and my love and deepest sympathy go out to her and the entire Ford family.
As crazy as Nancy Reagan might have been, with the astrologers, the dress contests with Raisa Gorbachev, she has been a really strong crusader for stem cell research. It pisses off the right wing to no end, that the widow of St. Ronnie is one of the leading fighters for this life saving research to go on.
I am mighty proud of her actually at this moment. While Gerald Ford may have had his good and bad moments, the bad (Rummy, Cheney) are still causing chaos and havoc around the world, and I know they and Al Haig, who have been blaring on the tube today, are going to try to define Gerald Ford in a way that is complimentary to their criminality.
Nancy Reagan just shot the first cannon across the bow. Gerald Ford was a supporter of stem cell research and he put John Paul Stevens on the court. Before all the spin meisters go on FAUX to suggest that Gerald Ford would have been proud of putting electrical wires on prisoners genitals, let those who actually know of decent things Gerald Ford supported come forth and speak now like Nancy Reagan just has, before the record becomes distorted.
Oh, and as a legacy for Gerald Ford, let's fully fund stem cell research. Nancy Reagan and Betty Ford would surely appreciate that gesture.