A Used Ford

TORN BY the anguish and embarrassment the Nixon Administration has brought to American politics, Congressional Democrats and Republicans alike have seized upon the vice presidential nomination of their colleague of 25 years, House Minority Leader Gerald R. Ford Jr. (R-Mich.), as if he indeed offered "the new beginning" the president has promised. Predicting swift confirmation, they have mistaken a hasty and politically expedient choice for a wise one.

"The House has been honored," House Speaker Carl Albert (D-Okla.) said. And coming near the end of a year of unprecedented constitutional confrontation, the decision can be viewed as a concilliatory gesture by President Nixon. The vice presidency, after all, is a powerless position that has traditionally been used to such ends-nominations "balance" tickets and appease the grumbling.

Ford, however, does not represent lost ground for President Nixon. He has stood even more unswervingly behind his party leaders than Senate Minority Leader Hugh Scott (R-Penn.). Since 1968, this has meant determined support for the war in Indochina, a fact warmly cited by President Nixon in his televised address last Friday. His routinely partisan politics--which may make him a weak candidate in any election outside his stronghold in Grand Rapids--have been all but ignored in the celebrations that have followed the Nixon speech.

Totally neglected has been the possibility that the next vice president may succeed an impeached Richard Nixon within a year. Ford has not shown that he could bring to the presidency the wisdom or the moral courage that the current administration has so tragically lacked.

Gerald Ford cannot truly restore dignity to the Nixon Administration or offer any wistfully-sought second chance. He is more of the same, and when the euphoria wears off, Congress and the American public will be sorely disappointed.