South Bend, May 18, 1976
The Campaign and the Tulip Festival
Gerald Ford had to win the primary in his home state Michigan in order to remain a credible candidate of the Republicans. He fell back on an old form of campaigning, the “whistle stopping.” Traveling by train, President and Mrs. Ford stood on the platform at the rear of the train and stopped at small towns and villages. They talked to campaign rallies and mingled among the people. The highlight of this campaign trail was the Tulip Festival in Holland, Michigan, which takes place every year with parades and large floats. Ford won the Michigan primary by a considerable margin before Reagan.
South Bend, May 24, 1976
France and the United States in the Bicentennial Year
On the occasion of the Bicentennial, the President of France Valery Giscard d’Estaing paid a state visit to the United States. As it was not to be expected otherwise, he flew on the Concorde to America. That he had to promote this new French-British supersonic commercial airplane, which crosses the Atlantic in 3 hours and 50 minutes, is understandable. The French President finally achieved that the disputed landing rights for the Concorde were granted in Washington, D.C., and in Dallas, Texas.
In Washington Giscard d’Estaing proved to be a far-sighted statesman of stature. Referring to the historic French-American Alliance during the War of Independence, he stressed that since then the Franco-American friendship has never faded. Speaking of the “malaise American,” he said that the Americans in their self-doubt could forget their destiny in the world. He was confident that the United States will overcome the crises of Vietnam and Watergate. In his “Message to America” he emphasized four points of America’s mission in the world: 1) Uphold the commitment to defend the West; 2) make an active contribution toward safeguarding the international monetary and financial order; 3) assist in the effort of establishing Europe as political entity of its own based on friendship and cooperation; 4) engage in an increased participation in the dialogue with the Third World to create a more just and stable world order.*
The exceptional success of 200 years of American history strengthens in Giscard d’Estaing’s view the confidence that America will meet the challenges of the modern world; while at the same time remain true to the ideal of freedom and humanity.
*[The English text of Giscard d’Estaing’s “Message to America” is printed in Time Magazine of May 24, 1976, p. 21.]