November 27, 1973
Page 38221
Mr. MUSKIE. Mr. President, I will vote for the confirmation of Congressman FORD to be Vice President of the United States. It is clear that he and I would not agree philosophically. I disagree with many key positions he has taken over the years. But I have respected Mr. FORD'S reputation for integrity and character, and the exhaustive investigation of his past which has taken place during the last several weeks appears to have supported this reputation. These qualities of integrity and character are sorely needed at the highest levels of our governing institutions today.
At the same time, Mr. President, I would like to commend my colleague from Maine, Senator HATHAWAY, for his proposal to provide for a special election in the event of simultaneous vacancies in the offices of President and Vice President. I understand his reasons for wanting to delay Mr. FORD's confirmation until the question of the President's own future in office is settled. In the extraordinary circumstances in which we find ourselves, Senator HATHAWAY'S formula for Presidential and Vice-Presidential succession could ultimately better serve the country's interests. Its fundamental merit is that it would give the people a chance to respond to these unprecedented events and to give greater legitimacy to a possible Presidential successor. I can well understand the concerns of many people who have written to me about the propriety of a President, who is himself under serious challenge, providing for his own possible succession.
As a practical political matter, however, I do not believe that Senator HATHAWAY'S formula will become an available option. Moreover, I believe there are countervailing reasons for filling the Vice-Presidential vacancy as soon as possible – at a time when our institutions are under pressure and discredited in the eyes of many people. It is true that the 25th amendment did not anticipate the extraordinary circumstances we find ourselves in today. But it does provide a constitutional means for Vice-Presidential succession. At the very time when our governing institutions are so discredited, I believe it is important to reaffirm our faith in the Constitution and to demonstrate that our institutions can work. For these reasons – in addition to his qualities of integrity and character – I will vote for Mr. FORD.