IIRC, Nixon didn't choose
Gerald Ford as his Vice-President; he was the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives when Spiro Agnew (the VP and therefore Senate president
pro tempore) resigned. From the order of succession, he was next in line.
"I am acutely aware that you have not elected me as your president by your ballots, and so I ask you to confirm me as your president with your prayers...
I have not sought this enormous responsibility, but I will not shirk it. Those who nominated and confirmed me as Vice President were my friends and are my friends. They were of both parties, elected by all the people and acting under the Constitution in their name. It is only fitting then that I should pledge to them and to you that I will be the President of all the people...
My fellow Americans, our long national nightmare is over. Our Constitution works; our great Republic is a government of laws and not of men. Here, the people rule. But there is a higher Power, by whatever name we honor Him, who ordains not only righteousness but love, not only justice, but mercy. ... let us restore the golden rule to our political process, and let brotherly love purge our hearts of suspicion and hate."
A much-underrated human being, was Jerry Ford, though still imperfect: both Donald Rumsfeld and Dick Cheney served as his Chief of Staff.
Now, regarding Lady Thatcher, yeah, she was a nasty piece of work. I'm pretty sure she had more protest songs about her than any other politician since the 60s. As just one example,
Elvis Costello's "Tramp The Dirt Down": In it, he expresses his desire to live long enough to see Margaret Thatcher die and vows,
"I'll stand on your grave and tramp the dirt down."