Vice President Ford: "Why I Will Not Run in '76": An Exclusive Interview

Q  Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman once said, in effect, that if nominated he would not run, and if elected, he would not serve. Are you, in effect, making a Sherman-like commitment—or is there a crack left in the door?

A  I have not make a Sherman-like commitment, but as far as I can foresee there is no possibility of my being a candidate in '76.

Q  Does this mean that if—for any reason—you became President before 1976, you would step aside and not run to stay in that office?

A  Yes, that is what I am saying.

"NO EVIDENCE" TO IMPEACH NIXON—

Q  While we're on this subject: Do you expect President Nixon to serve out the full remainder of his term?

A  I do. I've seen what he has said in public. I have talked with him personally, and I can assure you that he has no intention whatsoever of resigning.

Q  How would you evaluate, as of now, the movement in Congress to impeach the President?

A  I have said that, to clear the air, the investigation by the House Judiciary Committee ought to proceed.

On the other hand, I have said just as strongly that there is no evidence, in my opinion, that would justify the Committee or the House passing the resolution necessary to impeach. I do not see sufficient evidence under the constitutional definition of grounds for impeachment—"treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors."

Q  Would you anticipate, as many have speculated, that with you in office as Vice President, the congressional effort to impeach Mr. Nixon might intensify?

A  The House Judiciary Committee is finished with the job of investigating me and so will be free to undertake an impeachment investigation. They have just been voted a million dollars for that purpose.

I suspect there will be some action by the Committee staff to investigate the various "charges" that have been made against the President. But as I look at the so-called charges, they just don't fit what the Constitution cites as ground for impeachment.

Q  What are the people back home telling their Congressmen on this impeachment matter now?

A  At the height—or, you might say, the depth—of Watergate, whichever you want to call it, several weeks ago the mail was running very strongly along the line that the President should either resign or be impeached.

But there's been a significant switch, a very decided change. Today I would say the mail, at least in my office, is running about equal—for and against resignation or impeachment. From my talks with other members of Congress, I think that's rather typical of the mail that most are receiving.

Q  Will you be helping the President in the "operation candor" to bolster the public's confidence in him?

A  I've made some suggestions over the last month or so which have been reflected in some of the things he has done in "operation candor." I have strongly urged that he get out and make speeches to various groups, as he has done. I hope he continues it. I think it's absolutely essential that he appear before groups, not only here but elsewhere throughout the country.

I've urged that the White House tapes and any other documents that involve Watergate and related matters be made available to the courts, and the Senate investigating committee, and to the public generally.

I am positive the President is innocent of any involvement in Watergate, and I'm told that these documents including the tapes, will verify that.

Q  Should the President appear before the Senate investigating committee where there would be questions to and answers by the President?