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President Ford challenged Jimmy Carter to them in 1976. At one meeting, Ford claimed: "There is no Soviet domination of Eastern Europe . . ."

I remember that debate like it was yester ... a very long time ago :-)

But 'series', as I recall it Ford didn't exactly 'claim it', it was more like he blurted it out in frustration. As I recall he was a bit flustered at the time. And in my view he knew he made an oops.

In his defense I can see one point where he may have been coming from and that is the USA never recognized the USSR's takeover of the Baltic States: Lithuania, Latvia Estonia.

I know that as the 'official' Lithuanian 'consulate' was in my neighborhood in Chicago, it was a House. And the 'Lithuanian Navy' was docked at Chicago's lake front - it consisted of a couple 26' power boats and one sailboat of approx the same length. And the Held their 'official meetings' at the Tavern-Hall us guys hung out at. Now that sounds funny, but trust me, to the Lugans in my old hood (and surrounding areas), it was NO JOKE. (The First president of the 'new' Lithuania after the USSR collapsed came from the Marquette Park neighborhood in Chicago. It was mostly Lugan at the time)

So maybe Ford was thinking that. Or maybe militarily, with US Military Power that could take out the commies. Too bad he didn't clarify it after the flub.

Note to the PC Police: No offense is meant by me using 'Lugan'. I married one (she's 1/2 anyway) and they call themselves that. So buzz off.