Today is 121 days after Gerald Ford’s 93rd birthday. He has therefore outlived Ronald Reagan, who died on 5 June 2004 at the age of 93 years and 120 days. To pre-empt press coverage he issued this (largely unreported) press statement on Friday:

“The length of one’s days matters less than the love of one’s family and friends. I thank God for the gift of every sunrise and, even more, for all the years He has blessed me with Betty and the children, with our extended family and the friends of a lifetime. That includes countless Americans who, in recent months, have remembered me in their prayers. Your kindness touches me deeply. May God bless you all and may God bless America.”

If he can make it to 9 November next year, he will beat the record of 33 years 118 days set by his old boss, Richard Nixon, as ex-Vice-President to live longest after the end of his term.

But meantime, congratulations, Jerry!