Compare and contrast the domestic policies of Nixon and Ford.

The question requires that candidates give an account of the similarities and differences between Nixon and Ford in terms of domestic policy, referring to both throughout. Candidates may refer to Nixon and Ford having inflation and deficit spending as main macroeconomic concerns, but may contrast Nixon's unorthodox policies such as freezes on wages and prices to deal with inflation with Ford's non-interventionist “Whip Inflation Now” (WIN) campaign. Both adopted tax cuts (1972 and 1975) to boost the economy when facing recession, disregarding fiscal deficit. Both believed that states should be granted increased economic powers. Still, unlike Nixon's ideas under revenue sharing, Ford denied federal bailout to New York City. Socially, although both enacted policies that improved women's condition, Nixon publicly opposed the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). Candidates may discuss greater achievements under Nixon for African Americans (school desegregation in the South, Philadelphia Plan), even if Ford was said to have a more liberal stand on civil rights. Both opposed federal bussing programmes. Electorally, candidates may contrast Nixon's Southern Strategy with Ford's attempt to capture the African American vote and refer to challenges faced by both administrations due to Democratic majorities in the House of Representatives. Both similarities and differences must be clearly indicated but there does not need to be an equal number of each.

The question required candidates to give an account of the similarities and differences between Nixon and Ford in terms of domestic policy. Knowledge of Nixon was considerably more extensive than for Ford. Some candidates did not confine themselves to domestic policy.