During the election of 1976, the following factors were liabilities for Gerald Ford, except for high gas prices. Here's why:
1. **The pardoning of Richard Nixon**: This decision was controversial and unpopular among many Americans, as it was seen as letting Nixon off the hook for his involvement in the Watergate scandal. This action could be considered a liability for Ford during the election.
2. **Media portrayal as weak and clumsy**: Negative portrayals in the media can impact a candidate's image and public perception, potentially hindering their chances in an election. Being viewed as weak and clumsy could have been a liability for Ford.
3. **Regular lampooning on Saturday Night Live**: Satirical shows like Saturday Night Live can influence public opinion and shape how a candidate is perceived by the public. Continuous mockery on such a popular platform could have been damaging to Ford's campaign.
4. **High national inflation rates**: Economic factors, such as high inflation rates, can reflect poorly on the incumbent administration and affect voters' decisions during an election. High inflation rates could have been a liability for Ford.
5. **Extremely high gas prices**: During the 1970s, there was an oil crisis that led to soaring gas prices, impacting the economy and households across the country. Ford's inability to address this issue effectively could have been a liability during the election.
Therefore, of the given options, high gas prices were not specifically mentioned as a liability for Gerald Ford during the election of 1976.
