A late NBC NEWS Special broadcast live from the White House. President Gerald Ford is questioned by John Chancellor and Tom Brokaw in the first of the "conversation type" programs granted by President Ford since he assumed office last August.
NOTE: Only the final two minutes of this broadcast is archived.
MR. CHANCELLOR. Sir, if in early 1976 we are at double-digit inflation and unemployment is over 7 percent, would you be a candidate for office again?
THE PRESIDENT. Those are pretty tough odds, and I think anybody has to be realistic. But I add very quickly, John, I don't think that is going to happen, because the resiliency of the American economy is such that we are going to rebound from this recession, and I think we will do it more quickly and in a better way than most pessimists say. So, I am not anticipating in 1976 that we are going to have that high unemployment. I think we will have more jobs, people will have a fresher, more optimistic point of view. So, based on that forecast, not the one that you speculated on, I am planning to be a candidate in 1976.
MR. CHANCELLOR. On that note, Mr. President, for Tom Brokaw and for me,
I want to thank you, and for NBC News, for having us here in this house this evening. It was very instructive for us.
THE PRESIDENT. Thank you, John, and thank you, Tom. We have enjoyed having you here.
MR. BROKAW. Thank you, Mr. President.
MR. CHANCELLOR. Thank you, Mr. President.
Note: The interview began at 10 p.m. in the family sitting room at the White House. It was broadcast live on NBC radio and television.