Gerald Ford: A minority legislator promoting New Right Lite.

Introduction: As President Gerald Ford drew on his experience as House minority leader to promote what can be characterized New Right Lite. New Right Lite rejects both the increasing conservatism of the Republican Party after 1964 and the continued creation of large federal programs favored by Democrats. Method: Using both primary and secondary sources, I seek to explore the way President Ford formulated public policy. Results: President Ford used both flexibility and negotiation and a veto strategy as president, reflecting the minority strategy of stopping the expansion of government. Conclusion: I argue that President Ford used the leverage of vetoes to accomplish his goals of lesser federal spending and domestic policies that promoted traditional conservative ideals such as federalism while also fashioning alternative policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]