December 29, 2006 5:51PM 

# A King, Not a President? 

By [David Boaz](https://www.cato.org/people/david-boaz) 

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[Gene Healy praises former president Gerald Ford](https://www.cato.org/2006/12/27/a-ford-not-a-lincoln/) for proclaiming himself “a Ford, not a Lincoln” and demonstrating “a modest approach to the most powerful office in the world.” [*The Washington Post* notes](http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/27/AR2006122700727.html):

> Ford never forgot his humble roots, famously presenting himself as “a Ford, not a Lincoln.” He was not even born a Ford. His original name was Leslie Lynch King Jr.

So if not for his mother’s remarriage, he could have begun his presidency by declaring “I’m a King, not a President.” But that’s a claim better suited to the current president than to President Ford.

##### Related Tags 

[Government and Politics](https://www.cato.org/government-politics) 

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