George Bush lamented in 1993 that “losing is never easy – trust me, I know,” after losing to Bill Clinton. Gerald Ford in 1977 allowed the possibility of a political comeback after the defeat of Jimmy Carter (“This report will be the last – maybe.”) Donald J. Trump was defiant in defeat four years ago, declaring that “we will come back. one way or another.”
Since the 18th century – when George Washington warned the young Republic of the dangers of bigotry and called for national unity – presidents have used their evenings in office to reflect on their records and achievements, urging the nation to build on them. legacies for future generations.
That farewell message has been difficult at times for an outgoing military commander to be followed by a political rival – especially when he’s running for a second term.
The challenge President Biden used Wednesday night was similarly tenuous, as he touted his achievements and signaled America’s future — even as he handed the reins of government to Mr. Trump, the enemy Mr. who has vowed to reverse many of his policies.
In contrast, Johnson gave the final “State of the Union” address to Congress a week before Nixon’s inauguration. In an emotional speech to a joint session of Congress, Johnson talked about his efforts to demand a negotiated settlement of the Vietnam War, and noted the wide range of legislative accomplishments he oversaw in the Oval Office, establishing a new social movement. programs as “promises to the American people” that must be kept.
“Failure to accomplish it,” Johnson said of his legislative plan, “would be a disaster for our country.” Much of that law, called Johnson’s Great Society, still exists today.
Gerald R. Ford was hoping for a political comeback.
President Gerald R. Ford holds a unique place in American presidential history, and his farewell speech reflects his unique and brief time in the Oval Office. He is the only person to serve as president without being elected as president or vice president, as he was appointed by Nixon to the presidency. He also served the shortest term of any president in the last century – serving for two years and five months after Nixon resigned from the presidency in the summer of 1974.
But as Ford told lawmakers that “I look forward to the status of a private citizen with joy and gratitude,” he made no secret of his hopes for political redemption and a return to the White House.
“This report is going to be my last — probably,” Ford said, prompting loud laughter from the room, as he pulled out of his prepared remarks to tease that he would run for president. Ford eventually dropped out of the race in 1980, and endorsed Ronald Reagan.
George Bush warned of becoming the ‘policeman of the world.’
Appearing at the US Military Academy at West Point two weeks before Bill Clinton’s inauguration, President George Bush made it clear that his loss to Mr. Clinton hurt him deeply.
“Losing is never easy. Trust me, I know something about that,” Bush told thousands of military students, who laughed — perhaps longer and more than he expected. “But if you have to lose, here’s how to do it: Fight with everything you’ve got. Give it your best shot. And win or lose, learn from it, and get on with life.”
But before he continued, Bush issued a warning to future military leaders about the state of world affairs. He had just overseen the end of the Cold War, and shepherded the birth of democratic nations and governments in Eastern Europe as the Soviet Union and its sphere of influence disintegrated during his presidency. He also fought a war in Iraq to counter the invasion of neighboring Kuwait.
Declaring that the United States is the world’s only remaining superpower, Bush urged the country to get involved in world problems and “promote democratic peace.” But he also urged that it be restrained and work only with the support of partners.
“The United States should not want to be the world’s policeman,” said Bush. “There is no support abroad or at home for us to play this role, and there shouldn’t be. We will work hard in this process, we will waste the important resources needed to solve those problems at home and abroad that we cannot ignore.”
The warning was in line with the issues that would dominate American foreign policy. Mr. Clinton will preside over military intervention in Haiti and the Balkans. President George W. Bush, Bush’s son, would move forward after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, launching the second US invasion of Iraq and conducting what would become a decade-long conflict in Afghanistan – costing thousands of American lives and billions of dollars in military spending.
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