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{{Main|1976 Republican Party presidential primaries#Endorsements}}
{{Main|1976 Republican Party presidential primaries#Endorsements}}
Here are the list of endorsements for Ford:
Here are the list of endorsements for Ford:

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;Federal Officials
;Federal Officials

Revision as of 08:44, 27 April 2024

The 1976 presidential campaign of Gerald Ford began on July 8, 1975.[1] Gerald Ford, a Republican and then-38th President of the United States, Ford elected upon the resignation of Richard Nixon as president on August 9, 1974, Ford became president after his vice presidency ended and was inaugurated on the same day Nixon resigned. Ford participated in the Republican presidential primaries, failing to get the votes to advance to the Republican National Convention, as did his opponent Ronald Reagan, who would later be elected president in 1980, but Ford got more votes.[2]

Gerald Ford for President 1976
Campaign1976 Republican Party presidential primaries
1976 United States presidential election
CandidateGerald Ford
38th President of the United States
(1974–1977)
Bob Dole
Vice President of the United States
(1974–1977)
AffiliationDemocratic Party
StatusAnnounced: July 8, 1975
Official nominee: August 19, 1976
Lost election: November 2, 1976
Presidency ended: January 20, 1977
SloganHe's making us proud again

Ford's tenure marked America's fall into a dark period, with a stagnant economy and effects after the Vietnam War (or Vietnam syndrome). Ford pardoned Nixon in the Watergate scandal, which many people believe that Ford lost to his opponent Jimmy Carter in the 1976 presidential election, in the Republican primaries, Ford received 1,121 delegates while needing 1,130 votes to win. Ronald Reagan was one of those who stood in the way of Ford winning the nomination with Reagan receiving 1,078 delegates, this is one of the most controversial primaries ever, as well as the difference in votes of delegates and popular votes.[3]

However, Ford still received the Republican nomination on August 19, 1976 to face Democratic candidate Jimmy Carter on November 2, 1976. Carter defeated Ford, holding 297 delegates. and 50.1%, this is also one of the most controversial presidential elections when there is a fight over states and votes.[4] Carter took office on January 20, 1977 and held power for four years before Reagan defeated him in 1980 and took office on January 20, 1981.

Ford joined his vice presidential running mate Bob Dole on the campaign trail.[5]

Background

Gerald Ford, born July 14, 1913 in Omaha, Nebraska, his maternal grandfather was Illinois politician and businessman Levi Addison Gardner and his paternal grandfather was banker and businessman Charles Henry King, Ford's parents separated Just sixteen days after his birth and his mother took the infant Ford to Oak Park, Illinois, Ford later said his biological father had a history of beating his mother.[6]

Ford attended the University of Michigan. Ford graduated from Michigan in 1935 with a Bachelor's degree in economics. He turned down offers from the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers of the National Football League. Instead, he took a job in September 1935 as a boxing coach and assistant football coach at Yale University and applied to its law school.[7]

Ford joined the United States Navy after the Imperial Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, some time later, Ford joined the U.S. House of Representatives, where he met President Lyndon Johnson in 1963. After he left the House of Representatives in 1971, he joined President Richard Nixon's campaign as vice president in the 1972 presidential election, winning in a landslide, he became Nixon's vice president until 1974, becoming president on August 9, 1974, became the only U.S. president without being elected.[8][9][10]

Republican primaries

Main articles: 1976 Republican Party presidential primaries and 1976 Republican Party vice presidential candidate selection
See also: Ronald Reagan 1976 presidential campaign and 1976 New Hampshire Republican presidential primary

Ford launched his campaign on July 8, 1975, after which he entered the Republican primaries, where his rival, Ronald Reagan, opened his campaign on November 20, 1975. Ford and Reagan faced each other intensely, with Ford ultimately receiving more votes than Reagan, even though the required number of votes was 1,130 votes. This is also one of the few times an incumbent president has lost state primaries, the most recent being when President Joe Biden lost to Jason Palmer in American Samoa after 44 years when President Jimmy Carter lost to Ted Kennedy in Massachusetts on March 4, 1981 and 11 states with Washington D.C..[11]

In the New Hampshire primary, Ford attacked Reagan's plan to cut $90 billion from the federal budget, as well as Reagan's plans for Social Security. Reagan's stump speeches included attacks on welfare queens, as well as other attacks on government welfare programs, Reagan then lost the primaries with 1,317 delegates remaining.[12][13][14]

Republican National Convention

Main article: 1976 Republican National Convention
President Ford shakehand with Ronald Reagan in the Republican National Convention

After defeating their strongest opponents, Ford and Vice President Bob Dole were nominated at the Republican National Convention in Kansas City, Missouri, where Reagan criticized Ford for his signing of the Helsinki Accords and indirectly blamed him for the fall of Saigon in April 1975. The Congress voted, Ford received 1,187 votes and Reagan received 1,070 votes, another candidate, Elliot Richardson, received only 1 vote, this was one of the biggest controversies at the Republican convention about choosing a presidential candidate in a time of crisis.[15] For the vice presidential candidate, Bob Dole received 1,921 votes, with an overwhelming margin of 85.04%. Ronald Reagan was also in this, but he only received 27 votes, the third lowest after Jesse Helms when he received 103 votes, the remaining candidates received less than 25 votes.[16] Reagan then delivered a speech that caused a stir, eclipsing Ford's own acceptance speech, despite being just over five minutes long. Some delegates later said they left the convention wondering if they had voted for the wrong candidate. Reagan's concession speech spoke of the dangers of nuclear war and the threat from the Soviet Union.[17][18]

Endorsements

Main article: 1976 Republican Party presidential primaries § Endorsements

Here are the list of endorsements for Ford:

Federal Officials
Former Federal Officials
Senators
Former Senators
Representatives
Former Representatives
Governors
Former Governors
Lieutenant Governors
Attorney Generals
Mayors
Former Mayor
Individuals
Baseball
Basketball
Football
Actors and Actresses
Musicians

Polling

Main article: 1976 Republican Party presidential primaries § Polling

Before August 1974

Poll source Publication
Spiro Agnew
Howard Baker
John Connally
Gerald Ford
Barry Goldwater
Charles Percy
Ronald Reagan
Nelson Rockefeller
Other
Undecided/None
Gallup[91] March 30 – April 2, 1973 700 35% 1% 15% – – 8% 20% 11% 5%[a] 6%
Gallup[92] August 30, 1973 ? 22% 11% 10% – – 7% 22% 13% 6%[b] 9%
– 12% 12% – – 8% 32% 16% 9%[c] 11%
Gallup[93] Oct. 6–8, 1973 356 – 3% 16% – – 14% 29% 19% 6%[d] 8%
Gallup January 4–7, 1974 377 – 5% 9% 24% – 8% 20% 18% 8%[e] 8%
– 7% 11% – – 11% 26% 25% 10%[f] 10%
Gallup July 21, 1974 ? – 5% 5% 27% 16% 4% 16% 12% 8%[g] 7%

August 1974 – December 1975

Poll source Publication
Howard Baker
John Connally
Gerald Ford
Barry Goldwater
Charles Percy
Ronald Reagan
Nelson Rockefeller
Other
Undecided/None
Gallup[94] Feb. 28 – March 3, 1975 330 4% – 34% 17% 3% 22% 10% 7%[h] 3%
Gallup[95][96] June 27–30, 1975 375 4% 2% 41% 13% 4% 20% 5% 6%[i] 5%
Gallup[96] Aug. 15–18, 1975 348 3% 3% 45% 11% 4% 19% 7% 5%[j] 3%
Gallup Oct. 17–20, 1975 339 2% 1% 48% 7% 2% 25% 5% 2%[k] 5%
Gallup[97] Nov. 21–24, 1975 352 2% 1% 32% 10% 3% 40% 6% 5%[l] 1%

Head-to-head polling

Poll source Publication
Gerald Ford
Ronald Reagan
Undecided/None
Gallup[98] June 27–30, 1975 375 61% 33% 6%
Gallup[99] Dec. 12–15, 1975 ? 45% 45% 10%

Election day

Map of the 1976 United States presidential election

Ford lost to candidate Jimmy Carter on November 2, 1976 in the 1976 presidential election, Ford received 240 electoral votes and Carter received 297 electoral votes, however, Ford carried 27 states while Carter carried 23 states and Washington DC, Ford received 48% of the popular vote and Carter received 50.1% of the popular vote. [100]

President Ford and presidential candidate Carter on September 23, 1979, first presidential debate

Carter and Ford also debated three times in Philadelphia, San Fransisco and Williamsburg, Virginia from September 23 to October 22, 1976. This is the second debate since 1960, after 16 years.[101]

The vice presidential debate also began at the Alley Theater in Houston, Texas, when Bob Dole faced off against Walter Mondale.[102]

Notes

  1. ^ James Buckley with 2%, Edward Brooke and Daniel Evans with 1% each, and Bill Brock with 0%
  2. ^ James Buckley with 3%, Edward Brooke with 2%, Daniel Evans with 1%, and Bill Brock with 0%
  3. ^ James Buckley with 5%, Edward Brooke with 2%, Daniel Evans with 1%, and Bill Brock with 1%
  4. ^ James Buckley with 3%, Edward Brooke with 2%, Bill Brock with 1%, and Daniel Evans with 0%
  5. ^ Elliot Richardson with 3%, Mark Hatfield and James Buckley with 2% each, and Edward Brooke with 1%
  6. ^ Elliot Richardson with 4%, James Buckley with 3%, Mark Hatfield with 2%, and Edward Brooke with 1%
  7. ^ Elliot Richardson with 3%, James Buckley with 2%, Mark Hatfield with 2%, and Edward Brooke with 1%
  8. ^ Mark Hatfield with 3%, Elliot Richardson with 3%, and James Buckley with 1%
  9. ^ Elliot Richardson with 3%, Mark Hatfield with 2%, and James L. Buckley with 1%
  10. ^ James L. Buckley with 2%, Mark Hatfield with 2%, and Elliot Richardson with 1%
  11. ^ Elliot Richardson with 3%, James L. Buckley and Mark Hatfield with 1% each
  12. ^ Mark Hatfield with 2%, Elliot Richardson with 2%, and James L. Buckley with 1%

References

  1. ^ "Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum • Gerald Ford officially announced his candidacy for..." Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
  2. ^ "How Ronald Reagan's 1976 Convention Battle Fueled His 1980 Landslide". HISTORY. 2020-10-14. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
  3. ^ Enten, Harry (2016-07-14). "What The 1976 GOP Primary Tells Us About 2016's". FiveThirtyEight. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
  4. ^ "What can you tell me about the 1976 presidential election?". www.cliffsnotes.com. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
  5. ^ "Remembering Bob Dole: Reliving the 1976 Vice Presidential Announcement | KRSL.com". www.krsl.com. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
  6. ^ "Gerald R. Ford Biography - Gerald R. Ford Foundation". Retrieved 2024-04-27.
  7. ^ "Growing Up Grand- High School". www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
  8. ^ "Naval Service of Gerald R. Ford in World War II". www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
  9. ^ "Gerald Ford: Life Before the Presidency | Miller Center". millercenter.org. 2016-10-04. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
  10. ^ "Gerald Ford: Unelected". Voice of America. 2023-11-18. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
  11. ^ Reporter, James Bickerton US News (2024-03-06). "Joe Biden is first incumbent president to lose a primary in 44 years". Newsweek. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
  12. ^ Times, James M. Naughton; Special to The New York (1976-02-20). "FORD INTENSIFIES ATTACK ON REAGAN". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-04-27.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  13. ^ Witcover, Jules (1977). Marathon : the pursuit of the Presidency, 1972-1976. Internet Archive. New York : Viking Press. ISBN 978-0-670-45461-7.
  14. ^ "'Welfare Queen' Becomes Issue in Reagan Campaign". The New York Times. 1976-02-15. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
  15. ^ "Our Campaigns - US President - R Convention Race - Aug 16, 1976". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
  16. ^ "Our Campaigns - US Vice President - R Convention Race - Aug 16, 1976". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
  17. ^ Reagan's Impromptu Speech at 1976 GOP Convention. Retrieved 2024-04-27 – via www.youtube.com.
  18. ^ "The Times-News - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
  19. ^ a b "Remarks Upon Arrival at the 1976 Republican National Convention Headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri". 15 August 1976.
  20. ^ a b "Remarks in Columbus at the Annual Meeting of the Ohio Governor's Conference on Aging". 26 May 1976.
  21. ^ a b "Remarks at Opening Ceremonies for the Texas State Fair in Dallas". 9 October 1976.
  22. ^ a b c d e "Remarks at a President Ford Committee Campaign Debate Party in San Francisco". 6 October 1976.
  23. ^ a b c d e "Remarks in Lawton, Oklahoma". 8 October 1976.
  24. ^ a b c "Remarks in New City, New York". 13 October 1976.
  25. ^ "Remarks in Paramus, New Jersey". 13 October 1976.
  26. ^ a b "Remarks in Chicago, Illinois". 26 October 1976.
  27. ^ a b c d "Remarks at a Rally in Houston, Texas". 29 October 1976.
  28. ^ a b c d e f g h "Remarks in Livonia, Michigan". 1 November 1976.
  29. ^ a b "Remarks in Portland, Oregon". 25 October 1976.
  30. ^ "Remarks at a President Ford Committee Volunteers Reception in Lincoln". 8 May 1976.
  31. ^ a b c d "Remarks at a Picnic Honoring Senator Robert Dole in Russell, Kansas". 20 August 1976.
  32. ^ "Remarks iDuring an Illinois Whitlestop Tour". 16 October 1976.
  33. ^ a b c "Remarks in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania". 27 October 1976.
  34. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Remarks at a Rally in Cincinnati, Ohio". 28 October 1976.
  35. ^ a b c "Remarks in Columbia, South Carolina". 23 October 1976.
  36. ^ "Remarks to President Ford Committee Volunteers in Abilene". 30 April 1976.
  37. ^ a b c d e "Remarks at the Connecticut State Republican Convention in Hartford". 16 July 1976.
  38. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn bo bp bq br bs bt bu bv bw bx by bz ca cb cc cd ce cf cg ch ci cj ck cl cm cn co cp cq cr cs ct cu cv cw cx cy cz da db dc dd de df dg dh di dj dk dl dm dn do dp dq dr ds dt du dv dw dx dy dz ea eb ec ed ee ef eg eh ei ej "The original documents are located in Box 7, folder "Campaign – Letters of support from Former Members of Congress" of the John Marsh Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library" (PDF). 1976.
  39. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference norris was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  40. ^ a b c d e "Remarks on Departure From Akron, Ohio". 1 November 1976.
  41. ^ "Remarks in Rockford, Illinois". 11 March 1976.
  42. ^ a b c "Remarks at the Ohio State Capitol in Columbus". 1 November 1976.
  43. ^ a b "Remarks in Tampa, Florida". 29 February 1976.
  44. ^ "Remarks in San Jose, California". 25 May 1976.
  45. ^ "Remarks in Langhorne, Pennsylvania". 30 October 1976.
  46. ^ a b "Remarks at a Public Rally in Birmingham, Michigan". 12 May 1976.
  47. ^ a b "Remarks at the North Carolina State Fair in Raleigh". 23 October 1976.
  48. ^ a b c d "Remarks in Mobile, Alabama". 26 September 1976.
  49. ^ "Remarks at a Bicentennial Celebration in Saginaw, Michigan". 16 May 1976.
  50. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Remarks in La Mesa, California". 24 October 1976.
  51. ^ "Remarks in Gulfport, Mississippi". 26 September 1976.
  52. ^ a b "Remarks on Departure From Rochester, New York". 31 October 1976.
  53. ^ a b c "Remarks in Northbrook, Illinois". 26 October 1976.
  54. ^ a b c d "Remarks at a Reception for Bergen County Business and Civic Leaders in Paterson, New Jersey,". 6 June 1976.
  55. ^ a b "Remarks at the Chanute Community Foundation Reception in Rantoul, Illinois". 6 March 1976.
  56. ^ a b c "Remarks at a Republican Party Leadership Rally in Minneapolis". 19 August 1976.
  57. ^ "Remarks Upon Arrival at Van Nuys, California". 26 May 1976.
  58. ^ a b "Remarks at Iowa State University in Ames". 15 October 1976.
  59. ^ a b c "Remarks in Findlay, Ohio". 7 June 1976.
  60. ^ a b c d e f g "Remarks in Indianapolis, Indiana". 28 October 1976.
  61. ^ "Remarks at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor". 15 September 1976.
  62. ^ "Remarks in Bay St. Louis, Missouri". 26 September 1976.
  63. ^ a b "Remarks Aboard the SS Natchez During a Trip Along the Mississippi River in Louisiana". 25 September 1976.
  64. ^ "Remarks at the "Days of the Verdugos" Festival in Glendale, California". 8 October 1976.
  65. ^ a b "Remarks in Seattle, Washington". 25 October 1976.
  66. ^ a b c "Remarks at Dedication Ceremonies for the Commerce Square Fountain in Memphis". 14 May 1976.
  67. ^ a b c d "Remarks in Richmond, Virginia". 23 October 1976.
  68. ^ a b "Remarks to Employees of the Rockwell International Corporation in Hawthorne, California". 7 October 1976.
  69. ^ "Remarks in Devon, Pennsylvania". 27 October 1976.
  70. ^ "Remarks on Arrival at Grand Rapids, Michigan". 15 May 1976.
  71. ^ "Remarks in Dayton, Ohio". 7 June 1976.
  72. ^ a b c d e f g "Remarks in Fountain Valley". 24 October 1976.
  73. ^ "Remarks in Sarasota, Florida". 29 February 1976.
  74. ^ a b "Remarks at a President Ford Committee Leadership and Delegate Reception in Birmingham". 3 May 1976.
  75. ^ "Remarks in Pascagoula, Mississippi". 26 September 1976.
  76. ^ a b "Remarks in Medford, Oregon". 22 May 1976.
  77. ^ "Remarks in Union, New Jersey". 13 October 1976.
  78. ^ "Remarks on Arrival at Amarillo, Texas". 10 April 1976.
  79. ^ a b "Remarks in St. Louis, Missouri". 16 October 1976.
  80. ^ "Remarks to President Ford Committee Volunteers in Milwaukee". 2 April 1976.
  81. ^ "Benjamin Travis Laney Jr. (1896–1977)". January 19, 2024.
  82. ^ "Remarks in Biloxi, Mississippi". 26 September 1976.
  83. ^ a b "Remarks to the New York Delegation at the 1976 Republican National Convention in Kansas City". 18 August 1976.
  84. ^ a b "Remarks in St. Louis, Missouri". 29 October 1976.
  85. ^ "Remarks at the International Council of Shopping Centers Convention in Las Vegas". 24 May 1976.
  86. ^ a b "Remarks in Hauppauge, New York". 31 October 1976.
  87. ^ "Remarks in Hempstead, New York". 31 October 1976.
  88. ^ "Remarks at a Rally in Dallas, Texas". 29 April 1976.
  89. ^ a b c d e Critchlow, Donald (2013). When Hollywood was right : how movie stars, studio moguls, and big business remade American politics. New York : Cambridge University Press – via Internet Archive.
  90. ^ a b "Ford made brief stop in 1976". December 31, 2006.
  91. ^ "AGNEW REMAINS TOP G.O.P. CHOICE: Little Damage Seen 35% in Gallup Poll Support Him for President in '76". The New York Times. April 29, 1973. p. 41.
  92. ^ Gallup, George (August 30, 1973). "GALLUP POLL: Agnew is losing support". p. 29.
  93. ^ "Reagan Leads, Rockefeller Is 2d In Gallup Poll on '76 Nomination". The New York Times. October 21, 1973. p. 54.
  94. ^ Gallup, George (March 28, 1975). "Ford, Reagan Top GOP Picks in '76". The Hartford Courant. p. 20.
  95. ^ Gallup, George (July 14, 1975). "Ford Support Up As 1976 Hopeful". The Hartford Courant. p. 5.
  96. ^ a b Gallup, George (September 7, 1975). "Ford Widens Lead Over Rest of Field". The Washington Post. p. A11.
  97. ^ "Gallup: Reagan Passes Ford". Newsday. December 12, 1975. p. 6.
  98. ^ Cite error: The named reference Gallup-1975a2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  99. ^ Apple, R.W. (January 11, 1976). "G.O.P. Seems Evenly Split Over Ford-Reagan Contest". The New York Times. p. 1.
  100. ^ "1976 | The American Presidency Project". www.presidency.ucsb.edu. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
  101. ^ "AllPolitics - 1976 Debates Overview". edition.cnn.com. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
  102. ^ Miller, Arthur H.; MacKuen, Michael (1979). "Learning About the Candidates: The 1976 Presidential Debates". The Public Opinion Quarterly. 43 (3): 326–346. ISSN 0033-362X.
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