Alternate History 🇺🇸 November 2, 1976: President Nelson Rockefeller wins election to full 4-year term and the aftermath

[Sergeant Foley]

*Sunday, June 27-Monday, June 28, 1976: US President Nelson Rockefeller hosts the 2nd G-7 Summit at the Dorado Beach Hotel in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Among those in attendance: Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, French President Valery Giscard d'Estaing, West German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt, Italian Prime Minister Aldo Moro, Japanese Prime Minister Takeo Miki and British Prime Minister James Callaghan.

*Saturday, July 3, 1976: Israeli commamdos stormed the Entebbe Airport in a daring raid operation, rescuing 150 captured Israeli hostages while killing scores of Ugandan troops. The Israelis manage to hold off responding force while loading up a plane with the hostages before boarding the plane and flying over Lake Victoria towards Israel.

*Sunday, July 4, 1976: The United States marked its bicentennial celebration festivities with President Nelson Rockefeller leading the festivities in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

*Tuesday, July 6, 1976: Alabama Governor George Wallace (D) announced he's selecting United States Senator Jimmy Carter (D-GA) as his running mate for the Vice Presidency during a press conference ahead of the upcoming 1976 DNC Convention.

*Tuesday, July 6-Sunday, July 11, 1976: Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh begin their State Visit to the United States in celebrating the Bicentennial celebration festivities. On July 7th, US President Nelson Rockefeller and US First Lady Happy Rockefeller hosted the British Monarchs in State Dinner at the White House.


*Monday, July 12-Thursday, July 16, 1976: DNC Convention at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York State.
*Night One Speakers (Monday)
7:00 PM EST: United States Senator John Stennis (D-MS) nominates Governor Wallace.
7:30 PM EST: United States Senator Lawton Chiles (D-FL) nominates Florida Governor Reuben Askew (D)
8:00 PM EST: Rev. Jesse Jackson (D-IL) nominates California Governor Jerry Brown (D)
8:30 PM EST: United States Senator James Allen (D-AL) nominates Governor Wallace
9:00 PM EST: US Rep. Barbara Jordan (D-TX) delivers the Keynote Address.

​

10:35 PM EST: DNC Chairman Bob Strauss (D-DC)
11:00 PM EST: Convention adjourns.

*Night Two Speakers (Tuesday)
7:00 PM EST: US Rep. Morris Udall (D-AZ)
7:30 PM EST: United States Senator Daniel Inouye (D-HI)

​

8:00 PM EST: Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson (D-GA)

​

8:30 PM EST: United States Senator Robert Byrd (D-WV)
9:25 PM EST: Texas Governor Dolph Briscoe (D)

​

10:16 PM EST: Louisiana Governor Edwin Edwards (D)

​

11:00 PM EST: Convention adjourns.

*Tuesday, July 14, 1976: In the first and only ballot conducted: Alabama Governor George Wallace (D) easily cruises to victory when the vast majority of uncommitted delegates elected by state conventions flocked to his campaign in massive droves. Wallace, who enjoys strong fundraising over his main rivals, watched the festivities from the Alabama Governor's Mansion in Montgomery. The convention then voted to nominate United States Senator Jimmy Carter (D-GA) for the Vice Presidential nomination.

(1976 Democratic Party Presidential Nomination)
George Wallace: 2,731 (57.40%)
Jerry Brown: 683 (29.47%)
Henry Jackson: 319 (19.39%)
​

*Night Three Speakers (Wednesday)
7:00 PM EST: New Orleans Mayor Moon Landrieu (D-LA)
7:30 PM EST: Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley (D-CA)
8:00 PM EST: Arizona Governor Raul H. Castro (D)
8:30 PM EST: United States Senator Lloyd Bentsen (D-TX)
9:00 PM EST: Detroit Mayor Coleman Young (D-MI)
9:30 PM EST: US Rep. Andrew Young (D-GA) introduces Senator Carter
10:20 PM EST: United States Senator Jimmy Carter (D-GA) delivers his acceptance speech as the Democratic Party nominee for VP

"My name is Jimmy Carter and I am running to be your next Vice President."
​

11:00 PM EST: Convention adjourns.

*Night Four Speakers (Thursday)
7:00 PM EST: California Governor Jerry Brown (D)
7:30 PM EST: New York State Governor Hugh Carey (D)
8:00 PM EST: United States Senator Henry Jackson (D-WA St)
8:30 PM EST: United States Senator Frank Church (D-ID)
9:00 PM EST: Florida Governor Reuben Askew (D)
9:30 PM EST: Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Hernandez Colon (D)
10:00 PM EST: Alabama First Lady Cornelia Wallace (D-AL) introduces Governor Wallace
10:27 PM EST: Alabama Governor George Wallace (D) delivers acceptance speech as the Democratic Party nominee for President.

"I will push agressively to stop the forced busing of schoolchildren if elected President. We don't need no federal mandates and decisions on major issues should be left to the States!"
​

11:00 PM EST: Convention adjourns.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

*Sunday, August 1, 1976: The 1976 Summer Olympic Games in Montreal, Canada ends with an intriguing closing ceremony.

*Friday, August 6, 1976: Following a long and sometimes bizarre murder trial, which was watched across the nation oj television. Squeaky Fromme is found guilty on all counts by a federal grand jury of 12 people and is sentenced to death.

*Wednesday, August 11, 1976: A sniper opens fire on a hotel in Wichita, Kansas killing three people and injuring four others. Despite investigation work by law enforcement agencies and the Kansas State Police including the FBI, the case remains unsolved.

*Monday, August 16-Thursday, August 19, 1976: The Republican Party National Convention is held at the Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Missouri.
*Night One Speakers (Monday)
*7:00 PM CST: United States Senator Jesse Helms (R-NC) nominates former California Governor Ronald Reagan (R).
*7:30 PM CST: United States Senator Lowell Weicker (R-CT) nominates President Nelson Rockefeller (R-NY St)
*8:00 PM CST: Former Pennsylvania Governor Bill Scranton (R)
*8:30 PM CST: US Rep. Jack Kemp (R-NY St)
*9:00 PM CST: Former Tennessee Governor Winfield Dunn (R)
*9:30 PM CST: United States Senator Edward Brooke (R-MA)

"I am calling on all Americans to support President Rockefeller and Vice President Holton in this election. We're going to win in November!"
​

*10:00 PM CST: Michigan Governor William Milliken (R)
*10:30 PM CST: Former US First Lady Betty Ford (R-MI) delivers the Keynote Address

"My family and I are forever grateful for your prayers, warmhearted letters and thoughtful support that we've been receiving. I will work to ensure Jerry's legacy will be with us for the remainder of our lives." ​

*11:16 PM CST: Convention adjourns.

*Tuesday, August 17, 1976: Balloting occurs at the 1976 RNC Convention and the result was:

Nelson Rockefeller: 3,775 (71.19%)
Ronald Reagan: 419 (19.59%)
​

*Later that afternoon, Vice President Linwood Holton is nominated by acclamation.

*Night Three Speakers (Wednesday)
*7:00 PM CST: United States Senator Barry Goldwater (R-AZ)
*7:30 PM CST: United States Senator Paul Laxalt (R-NV)
*8:00 PM CST: Former California First Lady Nancy Reagan (R-CA)
*9:16 PM CST: United States Senator John Tower (R-TX)
*10:00 PM CST: US First Second Lady Jinks Holton (R-VA) introduces Vice President Holton.
*10:16 PM CST: Vice President Linwood Holton (R-VA) delivers his acceptance speech.

​

*11:00 PM CST: Convention adjourns.

*Night Four Speakers (Thursday)
*7:00 PM CST: Former California Governor Ronald Reagan (R-CA)

​

*7:30PM CST: Ohio Governor Jim Rhodes (R)
*8:19 PM CST: United States Senator Bob Dole (R-KS)
*8:55 PM CST: United States Senator Hiram Fong (R-HI)
*9:39 PM CST: United States Senator Howard Baker (R-TN)
*10:00 PM CST: US First Lady Happy Rockefeller (R-NY St) introduces President Rockefeller
*10:23 PM CST: President Nelson Rockefeller (R-NY St) delivers his acceptance speech.

"In the next four years, we're going to make sure that peace through strength is maintained as we venture toward the tailend of the 1970s and moving to a new decade, the 1980s."​

11:00 PM CST: Convention adjourns.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

*Thursday, September 2, 1976: The League of Women Voters announced they'll be hosting a televised debate between President Rockefeller and Governor Wallace set for September 23rd. Both candidates confirmed they'll be there.

*Thursday, September 16, 1976: Egyptian President Anwar Sadat wins reelection to a second five-year term; winning 9,145,683 votes out of the 9,151,288 votes casted.

*During a campaign rally in Boston, President Rockefeller was heckled by a group of disturbing ugly hippies nagging about the Vietnam War, etc.,

In retaliation, Rockefeller went off script and gave the hecklers the middle finger. The crowd cheered the President's controversial gesture as Secret Service agents and law enforcement officers arrested the hippies.

*Friday, September 17, 1976: Former Argentine Republic President Isabel Martinez de Peron appears on television from Madrid, Spain for the first time since her fall from power six months earlier. She strongly denies the corruption allegations against her administration and accuses the military government of Argentine Republic President Lieutenant General Jorge Videla of conning the Argentine people for his own manipulation games.

*Saturday, September 18 1976: Former Thai Prime Minister General Thanom Kittikamorn returns to the Kingdom of Thailand from exile in Singapore, which was not well received by people inside Thailand as anti-government protests quickly escalated.

*Sunday, September 19, 1976: Former US First Lady Betty Ford was mysteriously hospitalized in Palm Springs, California. The reason is considered to be "State secrets".

*Tuesday, September 21, 1976: Former Chilean Ambassador to the United States Orlando Letelier is assassinated by agents of the DINA on the orders of Chilean President General Augusto Pinochet. The assassination takes place at the Romanian Embassy in Washington, DC.

*Thursday, September 23, 1976: First Presidential Debate between President Nelson Rockefeller and Alabama Governor George Wallace takes place at the Walnut Theatre in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

During the debate, Wallace was in the middle of his harsh criticism of the Rockefeller administration's economic policy initiatives when all of a sudden, the air conditioning gave out which caused 27 minutes of long silence as everyone inside was wondering what was going on.

*Friday, September 24, 1976: Polling surveys revealed President Rockefeller easily won the first debate and Americans viewed Rockefeller as more knowledgeable about the issues and foreign policy issues.

*The first American college football game played outside the United States takes place in Tokyo, Japan. Two HBCU football programs: Gambling State Tigers and Morgan State Bears played in this game; Grambling won very easily 42-16.

*Sunday, September 26, 1976: US Rep. Barbara Jordan (D-TX) announced her endorsement of Alabama Governor George Wallace (D) during a press conference in Houston with Wallace in attendance.

*Thursday, September 30, 1976: US Reps. Shirley Chisholm (D-NY St) and Charles Rangel (D-NY St) joined former US Ambassador to the United Nations Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D) in a joint press conference announcing their endorsements of President Rockefeller's reelection campaign.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

@Buba @Tiamat @WolfBear @almostinsane @Carrot of Truth @Circle of Willis @Zyobot @stevep @TheRomanSlayer @Husky_Khan @Zachowon @Rusty Shackleford @DarthOne @TerrificWarden @Morphic Tide @Captain X @bintananth @The Immortal Watch Dog

Coming up this week: I'll be working on installments on the following in Chapter 4:
1.) President Rockefeller hosting Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to the United States.
2.) October 6, 1976: Second and final Presidential debate in San Francisco, California
3.) VP Debate between Carter & Holton
4.) October 22, 1976: Videla's troops evict the body of the late three-term Argentine Republic President Juan Domingo Peron from Quinta de Olivos in the middle of the night.
5.) College Football headlines of the 1976 CFB Season

 

[Sergeant Foley]

Gallup: Who would you vote for in the 1976 Presidential election in November? (September 20, 1976)
Rockefeller (R-incumbent): 52%
Wallace (D): 36%

Generic Congressional Ballot: Who do you want to control Congress?
Democrats: 67%
Republicans: 25%

Job Approval: Opinion of President Nelson Rockefeller
Approve: 55%
Disapprove: 38%

*Monday, September 20, 1976: In light of the controversy surrounding President Rockefeller's controversial gesture giving hecklers the middle finger, Gallup revealed the President's approval ratings have taken a hit lately due to incidents like that and the hard-hitting negative television advertising commercials by Alabama Governor George Wallace (D).

Another factor on slippage of the President's approval ratings: foreign policy crises such as the ugly violent Dirty War launched by Argentine Republic President Lieutenant General Jorge Videla and the Argentine Military Junta; relations souring between the United States and India, etc.,

The Wallace campaign is demanding for a third debate, but Rockefeller campaign aides haven't committed to it as of yet.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

COMING UP IN CHAPTER 4 OF THE AMERICAN REPUBLIC
Meanwhile in the Argentine Republic

​

 

[Sergeant Foley]

Polling Surveys on Congress (September 30, 1976)
NBC News: Generic Congressional Ballot
Democrats: 52%
Republicans: 33%
Undecided: 13%

Nationally-watched US Senate races
Arizona US Senate (Open)
Dennis DeConcini (D) vs Evan Mecham (R)

California US Senate:
United States Senator John V. Tunney (D-CA) vs Sam Hayakawa (R)

Indiana US Senate:
Former Indianapolis Mayor Dick Lugar (R) vs United States Senator Vance Hartke (D-IN)

Maryland US Senate:
US Rep. Paul Sabarnes (D-MD) vs United States Senator J. Glenn Beall (R-MD)

Missouri US Senate (Open)
Former Missouri Governor Warren Hearnes (D) vs Missouri State Attorney General John Danforth (R)

New Mexico US Senate:
United States Senator Joe Montoya (D-NM) vs Harrison Schmidt (R)

New York State US Senate:
Former US Ambassador to the United Nations Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D) vs United States Senator James Buckley (R-NY St)

Ohio US Senate:
Howard Metzenbaum (D) vs United States Senator Robert Taft (R-OH)

Tennessee US Senate:
Jim Sasser (D) vs United States Senator Bill Brock (R-TN)

Utah US Senate:
United States Senator Frank Moss (D-UT) vs Orrin Hatch (R)

 

[Sergeant Foley]

Voters Preferential Choices on 1976 Presidential election:
Who would you vote for in the November 2, 1976 US Presidential Election? (ABC News: September 30, 1976)
President Nelson Rockefeller (R-incumbent): 72%
Alabama Governor George Wallace (D): 13%

Political Party Preferences:
Among Democrats
Wallace: 43%
Rockefeller: 37%
Undecided: 13%

Among Republicans:
Rockefeller: 90%
Wallace: 3%

Among Independents:
Rockefeller: 67%
Wallace: 23%

Generic Electoral Map: 270 needed to win the Presidency:
Rockefeller: 457
Wallace: 83

 

[Sergeant Foley]

*October 5, 1976: The United Auto Workers reached a path-breaking agreement with the Ford Motor Company after a four-week strike. The new contract, which provided 13 additional days off a year; it was hailed by union leaders as a step towards four-day working week.

*October 6, 1976: The second and final Presidential debate between Republican incumbent President Nelson Rockefeller and his Democratic challenger Alabama Governor George Wallace takes place at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, California. The general subject of the debate: Foreign Affairs and Defense matters.

Majority of Americans polled strongly said Rockefeller won the debate handily with 68%.

*The government of Thailand falls to another military coup d'etat after three years of democratic rule.

*October 8, 1976: The United States Air Force was reported to be developing a new intercontinental ballistic missile that would be twice as heavy as present ICBMs. It would have several times the payload; more warheads and being much more accurate.

*October 15, 1976: The Vice Presidential debate between Republican incumbent Vice President Linwood Holton and Democratic challenger United States Senator Jimmy Carter (D-GA) takes place in a nationally-televised debate in Houston, Texas. Holton said Carter was "the biggest flip-flopper I know in the United States Senate" and Carter replied that Holton was "a typical overhyped politician".

*October 17-18, 1976: Six leaders of Arab countries meet in Riydah, Saudi Arabia agreed on ceasefire for Lebanon. They were joined by the presidents of Egypt, Syria and Lebanon; the leader of the PLO and the rulers of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

*October 19, 1976: The recovery of the US economy slowed in the third quarter of 1976 according to the US Department of Commerce. Rockefeller administration spokesmen called it a "pause" and predict the upswing would underway again.

*October 21, 1976: The Cincinnati Reds won Game 4 of the 1976 World Series against the New York Yankees. Cincinnati becomes the first National League MLB team in 54 years to win back-to-back World Series Championships.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

CAMPAIGN 76: KEY GUBERNATORIAL RACES TO KEEP AN EYE ON

ARKANSAS: Arkansas Governor David Pryor (D): Incumbent since January 14, 1975

Arkansas Governor David Pryor (D) is seeking reelection to a second two-year term and will be facing Republican opponent Leon Griffith (R) in the November general election. Political observers strongly expect Pryor to win reelection very handily and overwhelmingly.
Rating: SAFE DEMOCRATIC HOLD

DELAWARE: Delaware Governor Sherman W. Tribbitt (D): Incumbent since January 16, 1973
Delaware Governor Sherman W. Tribbitt (D) is seeking reelection to a second term in office. Upon getting elected to the Governorship in 1972, Tribbitt had inherited the budget shortfall and the state budget crisis that drove his predecessor, then-Delaware Governor Russell W. Peterson (R) from office four years earlier; during his administration, Tribbitt had made efforts in pushing legislation such as levying large taxes on one of the oil refineries in the state, but it was derailed when J. Paul Getty had threatened to close the refinery in response to the state's efforts; union workers also opposed the legislation because they were afraid of losing their jobs if the legislation became state law. Tribbitt faces Republican challenger US Rep. Pete du Pont (R-DE) in the November general election.
Rating: LEANS REPUBLICAN PICK-UP

ILLINOIS (OPEN): Illinois Governor Daniel Walker (D): In office since January 8, 1973 (Lost Democratic Primary on March 16th)
Illinois Secretary of State Michael Howlett (D), backed by the influential political machine of Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley (D) is facing off against former US Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois James R. Thompson (R). Polls have Thompson ahead from anywhere by single or double digits depending on which polling surveys you're looking at. The winner will have to serve a two-year term beginning on January 10, 1977 and expires on January 8, 1979 due to the 1970 Constitution of Illinois requiring gubernatorial elections being held in midterm election years beginning in 1978 rather than presidential years.
Rating: LIKELY REPUBLICAN PICK-UP

INDIANA: Indiana Governor Otis Bowen (R): Incumbent since January 8, 1973
Indiana Governor Otis Bowen (R) is expected to win reelection against Democratic challenger Indiana Secretary of State Larry Conrad (D), becoming the Hoosier State's first Governor to serving back-to-back four-year terms since 1851.
Rating: SAFE REPUBLICAN HOLD

MISSOURI: Missouri Governor Christopher S. "Kit" Bond (R): Incumbent since January 8, 1973
This is one of the most nationally-watched gubernatorial elections in the country in the matchup between incumbent Missouri Governor Kit Bond (R) and Democratic challenger, Prosecuting Attorney for Jackson County Joseph P. Teasdale (D).
Rating: TOSS-UP

MONTANA: Montana Governor Thomas Lee Judge (D): Incumbent since January 1, 1973
Montana Governor Thomas Lee Judge (D) is expected to win reelection against Republican challenger Montana State Attorney General Bob Woodahl (R).
Rating: DEMOCRATIC HOLD

NEW HAMPSHIRE: New Hampshire Governor Meldrim Thomson, Jr. (R): Incumbent since January 4, 1973
Oddsmakers predict New Hampshire Governor Meldrim Thomson, Jr., (R) to win reelection to a third two-year term against former State Senator Harry V. Spanos (D).
Rating: REPUBLICAN HOLD

NORTH CAROLINA (OPEN): North Carolina Governor James Holshouser (R): In office since January 5, 1973: Term limited from succeeding himself for second four-year term
North Carolina Lieutenant Governor Jim Hunt (D) is expected by many political observers to easily defeat David Flaherty (R), taking back the North Carolina Executive Mansion for the North Carolina Democratic Party.
Rating: DEMOCRATIC PICK-UP

NORTH DAKOTA: North Dakota Governor Arthur Link (D): Incumbent since January 2, 1973
North Dakota Governor Arthur Link (D) is facing a hard-fought challenge from North Dakota Public Service Commissioner Richard Elkin (R). This will be one of the most critically watched gubernatorial elections in determining whether Link can keep the Governor's Mansion in the hands of the Democratic Party.
Rating: TOSS-UP

RHODE ISLAND: Rhode Island Governor Philip Noel (D): In office since January 2, 1973 (Not seeking reelection in 1976)
Rhode Island Lieutenant Governor J. Joseph Garrahy (D) is expected to defeat James L. Taft, Jr., (R) in the November general election.
Rating: DEMOCRATIC HOLD

UTAH (OPEN): Utah Governor Carl Rampton (D): In office since January 4, 1965 (Not seeking reelection in 1976)
Scott Matheson (D) is facing off against Utah State Attorney General Vernon B. Romney (R) in the November general election, this will be one of the most closely watched gubernatorial elections in the country as both political parties will have a key interest of determining how the Beehive State will be shaped in the coming years.
Rating: TOSS-UP

VERMONT (OPEN): Vermont Governor Thomas P. Salmon (D): In office since January 4, 1973 (Not seeking reelection in 1976; running for the United States Senate)
In a wild three-way race which features Richard Snelling (R), Vermont State Treasurer Stella Hackel (D) and Bernie Sanders (LU) in the battle to succeed outgoing two-term Vermont Governor Thomas P. Salmon (D), who chose not to seek a third two-year term.
Rating: TOSS-UP

WASHINGTON (OPEN): Washington State Governor Daniel J. Evans (R): In office since January 13, 1965 (Not seeking reelection in 1976)
Former US Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs Dixi Lee Ray (D) and King County Executive John Spellman (R) will be facing off in the battle for the Washington State Governor's Mansion. Democrats, who have been shut out of the governorship since 1964 are hungry to win it back while Republicans buyoed off of Evans' 12 years in the Governor's Mansion will be determined to keep control of the Governorship, plus Washington State Republicans will be hoping for coattails from the likely reelection of incumbent President Nelson Rockefeller.
Rating: TOSS-UP

WEST VIRGINIA (OPEN): West Virginia Governor Arch Moore (R): In office since January 13, 1969 (Term limited from succeeding himself for third consecutive term in 1976)
Former West Virginia Secretary of State Jay Rockefeller (D), the nephew of incumbent Republican President Nelson Rockefeller, will be helped by his family's legendary name and political experience as well as the millions of money pouring into the Mountain State. Polling surveys have Rockefeller up by double digits against former West Virginia Governor Cecil H. Underwood (R).
Rating: DEMOCRATIC PICK-UP

PUERTO RICO: Puerto Rico Governor Rafael Hernandez Colon (PD/D): In office since January 2, 1973
This will also be one of the most closely watched gubernatorial elections between Governor Colon and his challenger, San Juan Mayor Carlos Romero Barcelo (NP/D).
Rating: TOSS-UP

 

[Sergeant Foley]

The Odyssey continues....................AGAIN!
10:00 PM ARGST, Friday, October 22, 1976
Somewhere on the grounds of Quinta de Olivos
Buenos Aires, Argentine Republic
​

It was 10:00 PM in the evening and mostly everyone was going to bed, the mood was quiet, calm and also too quiet due to the hurried rush of a group of Army soldiers converging on the Quinta de Olivos (Residence of the Argentine Republic President). They were given orders a few months earlier by Argentine Republic President Army Lieutenant General Jorge Rafael Videla: Get rid of the remains of the late Argentine Republic President Juan Domingo Peron from the Presidential Chapel by burying it at the family vault over at the Chacarita Cemetery in the middle of the night without any special ceremony; other orders included blowing up the high altar-like chapel on the grounds of the presidential palace so that Videla and his family can move into Quinta de Olivos.

From the perspective of an Army soldier who participated in the incident: "We arrived on the grounds of the presidential palace in a procession of at least five or seven military trucks. My group was designated by one of the commanding officers into making sure this "Top Secret Mission" was implemented without any hangups. So I and at least five of my fellow Army soldiers got out of the truck while everyone else kept guard to watch around the grounds of Quinta de Olivos in making sure nobody else was lurking to see what was going on. It was 10:02 when we barged into the chapel where we were amazed and somewhat worried after seeing the closed casket of the late Argentine Republic President Juan Domingo Peron; my reaction was like "Why didn't Isabel take the General to Spain with her during the coup on March 24th?" Second Lieutenant Reynaldo Gomez pulled out a 44 Magnum (one of the guns he got due to watching his favorite movies on the Dirty Harry trilogies) and walked around the tomb, before telling me "You might want to walk over there and avoid getting cut by what I am about to do Corporal".

All of a sudden, Second Lieutenant Gomez used the butt of his 44 Magnum gun to smash the glass of President Peron's casket and he continued smashing the remaining glass container until it was shattered on the floor. Next, we were ordered to take the late President Peron's body out of the casket, placing it into one of the largest wooden-like coffins we had to find (the wooden-like coffin was given to us a few weeks earlier). Then after carrying the wooden coffin out of the chapel by carefully putting it into the back of the truck, where I and at least five others sat. Lieutenant Gomez got communication with one of those weird looking machine phones, "It's done sir. What's the next mission's phase?" I heard the voice of Brigadier General Nicolas Hernandez telling Gomez "Make sure you're not followed and head back to the base, where you will have to designate one of the soldiers into taking the Old Man somewhere."

While our truck left the grounds of Quinta de Olivos, I heard a loud dynamite explosion; due to figuring out the presidential chapel was blown up.

Upon arriving at the Army base at 1:00 AM, we got out of the truck and carried the wooden coffin into another pickup truck, which drove toward an unknown destination. Brigadier General Hernandez arrived and told us that we're going to put the body in a hidden room somewhere in the warehouse until more details are known from one of the higher-ups."
Corporal Hector Brito
Argentine Republic Army
October 23, 1976

 

[Sergeant Foley]

*October 25-26, 1976: An Arab League summit conference in Cairo approved the arrangements of a ceasefire in Lebanon and an Arab peacekeeping force that had been agreed to at a meeting of six Arab leaders in Riydah, Saudi Arabia on October 17th-18th.

*October 27, 1976: The Mexican government allowed the Peso to floating again and it fell to 26.50 to the dollar. Since September 12th, it had been pegged at 19.90 to the dollar.

*October 21-October 24, 1976: Alabama Governor George Wallace (D) and United States Senator Jimmy Carter (D-GA) held joint campaign rallies in Atlanta, Georgia; Tallahassee, Florida; Annapolis, Maryland; Trenton, New Jersey and Nashville, Tennessee.

*October 28, 1976: The Geneva Conference on Rhodesia opened in the Palais des Nations. It was attended by representatives of the government of Rhodesia and four black nationalist delegations under a British chairman. It's purpose was working out temporary biracial government that would lead to black majority rule.

*October 24-October 31, 1976: President Nelson Rockefeller held campaign rallies in Seattle, Washington State; Honolulu, Hawaii; Denver, Colorado; Houston, Texas; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Raleigh, North Carolina; Springfield, Illinois; Boston, Massachusetts and finally in Albany, New York State (where several professional sports athletes and entertainment celebrities held a "Welcome Back Rocky" final rally at the Capitol Convention Center in Albany). It was the final campaign rally in a long whirlwind tour across the country.

*November 2, 1976: India's lower house of Parliament approved the Constitution (44th Amendment) Act amending the country's constitution to give the government more power. Opponents of the move, charged the amendments would "open the floodgates to reintegration and dictatorship."

 

[Sergeant Foley]

Wallace
8:00 PM CST, Monday, November 1, 1976
Alabama Governor's Mansion
Montgomery, Alabama

Having finished a final campaign rally in downtown Montgomery from over the weekend, Alabama Governor George Wallace (D) was somewhat upbeat in spite of the difficulties facing his campaign: struggling in polling surveys against a popular Republican incumbent President by large double digits of anywhere from 24 to 44 points. The three-term Democratic Governor was undeterred by the ugly political realities facing him, "These experts think we're getting blown out. I've got the issues on my side: majority of Americans are opposed to forced busing of achieving racial balance in the United States, the economy isn't as rosy as the Rockefeller administration's initiatives and hyping it up to be, inflation is due to escalate, plus we've got disastrous foreign policy debacle after another with this administration."

Wallace campaign manager Thomas Turpinseed arrived back at the Governor's Mansion in downtown Montgomery for a last-minute strategy meeting. He knew the odds of a shocking upset weren't good; even United States Senator John Sparkman (D-AL) figured out Wallace was likely losing to Rockefeller, who had large name recognition, strong record as President, approval ratings cracking 70 percent, massive financial advantage, etc.,

"Turp. What new information do you have?" Wallace calmly said while lighting his cigar during dinner in the dining room. "Governor, there's a strong likelihood we'll be able to win several states in the South: Mississippi, Georgia, Louisiana and Texas. Of course, we'll easily dominate home turf in the great state of Alabama by an overwhelming margin of course based on polling. Now the biggest concern should be focused on places outside the South: Ohio, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Wisconsin and possibly Iowa...."

The reality was slowly sinking in among Wallace campaign associates. For months, they knew Wallace was facing an uphill battle plus the country was not ready for a fourth consecutive President within two and a half years (Nixon's resignation in disgrace following Watergate; Ford's assassination and Rockefeller's ascension). It was over!

Big question was how large the margin was going to be for President Rockefeller?

Back in Plains, United States Senator Jimmy Carter (D-GA) had been done working hard on the campaign trail across the country since being tapped as Wallace's running mate for the Vice Presidency during the summer, but deep down: he pretty much accepted the reality of what was coming for Tuesday night. "Just worried about how I'll be perceived by the American people regardless of what happens tomorrow" he told his wife, Rosalynn.

Figuring out he'll will be going back to his day job in the United States Senate following the 1976 campaign, Carter had an inkling of being courted by National Democrats for higher office in 1980, 1984 or 1988. Saying their prayers and going to bed, both Jimmy and Rosalynn went to sleep praying for the best considering they've done all they can in getting their message out to the American people during the campaign.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

EXPERT PREDICTIONS ON CAMPAIGN 76:
PRESIDENT: ROCKEFELLER EXPECTED TO WIN FULL FOUR-YEAR TERM
*Political analysts, experts and news contributors from CBS News, NBC News and ABC News including the Associated Press as well as Gallup held a roundtable discussion about the 1976 Presidential election; they also highlighted down-ballot elections such as key critical races for the United States Senate, US State Gubernatorial elections, etc.,

They all strongly predicted President Rockefeller to win a full four-year term against Governor Wallace by an overwhelming margin; while everyone was in agreement on Rockefeller winning, they debated on how big the margin of victory would look like.

Mike Wallace of CBS News predicted that Rockefeller could carry somewhere between 40 to maybe 45 states.

FINAL POLLING (GALLUP: NOVEMBER 1, 1976)
PRESIDENT:
Rockefeller (R-incumbent): 69%
Wallace (D): 25%

CONGRESS: WHO DO YOU WANT TO CONTROL CONGRESS?
Democrats: 55%
Republicans: 43%

US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Democrats: 51%
Republicans: 38%

UNITED STATES SENATE
Democrats: 57%
Republicans: 38%

COUNTRY IN RIGHT DIRECTION?
Yes: 71%
No: 16%

 

[Sergeant Foley]

@The Immortal Watch Dog @Buba @Tiamat @Cherico @almostinsane @49ersfootball @Captain X @WolfBear @bintananth @Circle of Willis @Carrot of Truth @Zyobot @stevep @TheRomanSlayer @Husky_Khan @Zachowon @Rusty Shackleford @Simonbob @Julio92 @Airedale260 @Planchar @prinCZess

Coming up this week: Next installments will focus on Election Night results from November 2, 1976.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

ELECTION NIGHT: DECISION 76
CBS NEWS COVERAGE
6:00 PM EST, Tuesday, November 2, 1976
CBS News Headquarters, New York City, New York State

​

(Campaign 76 CBS News theme music playing)

Voiceover: "This is CBS News' coverage of Decision 76. Brought to you by McDonald's. Now live coverage of Decision 76 from CBS News headquarters in New York City."

Cronkite: "Good evening everyone. This is Walter Cronkite of the CBS Evening News and I will be your moderator for tonight's election night coverage of the 1976 Presidential election including minute-by-minute details on election returns for who'll control both houses of Congress including a majority of the Governorships.

Joining us in tonight's coverage: Roger Mudd, Mike Wallace, Dan Rather and Lesley Stahl, all of whom will be giving their insights on Election Day across the United States.

The biggest attention of voters: who'll be living at the White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue for the next four years as the 1976 Presidential election campaign between Republican incumbent President Nelson Rockefeller and Democratic challenger Alabama Governor George Wallace ends tonight following a long, grueling and sometimes tense campaign, the experts, pollsters and analysts are all predicting a Rockefeller landslide victory tonight, securing his first full four-year term. They're also predicting divided government as Democrats are expected to keep control of the US House of Representatives and United States Senate.

Before we get to the first batch of returns coming in, let's have Leslie give us a detailed scoop on what to expect on nationally-watched US Senate races...."

 

[Sergeant Foley]

PROJECTIONS: PRESIDENT ROCKEFELLER WINS INDIANA AND KENTUCKY

Cronkite: "It is 6:30 PM EST and we're getting our first couple of returns coming out of two states: Indiana with 13 Electoral Votes and Kentucky with 9 Electoral Votes. The CBS News Decision Desk has projected President Rockefeller the winner of both states.

We're also projecting in the Indiana US Senate race that the Republicans pick up their first Senate seat of the night. Former Indianapolis Mayor Dick Lugar has been elected by a wide margin over three-term incumbent United States Senator Vance Hartke (D-IN). Lugar previously ran unsuccessfully for the United States Senate in 1974 when he narrowly lost to United States Senator Birch Bayh (D-IN).

In the Indiana gubernatorial election, Republican incumbent Indiana Governor Otis Bowen has made history becoming the first Hoosier State Governor to win consecutive terms easily defeating Democratic challenger Indiana Secretary of State Larry Conrad."

(PRESIDENT: INDIANA: 13 ELECTORAL VOTES) 20% OF THE PRECINCTS REPORTING
Rockefeller (R): 73%✔ Projected Winner
Wallace (D): 26%

(INDIANA UNITED STATES SENATOR) 36% OF THE PRECINCTS REPORTING
Lugar (R): 64% ✔ Projected Winner (REPUBLICAN GAIN)
Hartke (D-incumbent): 33%

(INDIANA GOVERNOR) 56% OF THE PRECINCTS REPORTING
Bowen (R-incumbent): 70%✔ Projected Winner (REPUBLICAN HOLD)
Conrad (D): 29%

(PRESIDENT: KENTUCKY 9 ELECTORAL VOTES) 39% OF THE PRECINCTS REPORTING
Rockefeller (R): 61%✔ Projected Winner
Wallace (D): 38%

ELECTORAL MAP: 1976 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
(270 NEEDED TO WIN) 27% OF THE PRECINCTS REPORTING
Nelson Rockefeller (R-NY St)/Linwood Holton (R-VA):
29,788,016 (60.44%)
22 Electoral Votes
George Wallace (D-AL)/Jimmy Carter (D-GA):
11,007,983 (35.19%)
0 Electoral Votes

 

[Sergeant Foley]

7:47 PM EST PRESIDENT ROCKEFELLER WINS SOUTH CAROLINA, WEST VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA

(PRESIDENT: SOUTH CAROLINA 8 ELECTORAL VOTES)
Rockefeller (R): 53% ✔Projected Winner
Wallace (D): 43%

(PRESIDENT: WEST VIRGINIA 6 ELECTORAL VOTES)
Rockefeller (R): 57%✔
Wallace (D): 38%

(PRESIDENT: NORTH CAROLINA 13 ELECTORAL VOTES)
Rockefeller (R): 56%✔
Wallace (D): 41%

8:00 PM EST: BREAKING NEWS ALERT: GOVERNOR WALLACE PROJECTED TO WIN ALABAMA, GEORGIA AND DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Cronkite: "It's now the 8 o'clock hour and CBS News Decision Desk can project that Governor Wallace will win his home state of Alabama and Georgia, the home state of his running mate United States Senator Jimmy Carter (D-GA), putting the three-term Alabama Governor on the board.

Governor Wallace will also win the 3 Electoral Votes of the District of Columbia, but not as by a strong margin than Democratic presidential nominees usually do.

When we left you for a commercial break, President Rockefeller has been projected the winner of the following states: South Carolina with 8 Electoral Votes, West Virginia with 6 Electoral Votes and North Carolina with 13 Electoral Votes. I believe Leslie Stahl has anothet projection....."

(PRESIDENT: ALABAMA 9 ELECTORAL VOTES)
Wallace (D): 83%✔
Rockefeller (R): 17%

(PRESIDENT: GEORGIA 12 ELECTORAL VOTES)
Wallace (D): 71%✔
Rockefeller (R): 29%

(PRESIDENT: DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 3 ELECTORAL VOTES)
Wallace: 52%✔
Rockefeller: 45%

(1976 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION RESULTS)
270 NEEDED TO WIN 49% OF THE PRECINCTS REPORTING
Nelson Rockefeller (R-NY St)/Linwood Holton (R-VA):
33,627,883 (61.39%)
49 Electoral Votes

George Wallace (D-AL)/Jimmy Carter (D-GA):
13,788,996 (32.00%)
24 Electoral Votes


8:16 PM EST: CBS NEWS DECISION DESK PROJECTS PRESIDENT ROCKEFELLER TO WIN COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, PICKING UP 11 ELECTORAL VOTES

Stahl: "Walter, we're getting another projection by the Decision Desk and it comes from the Commonwealth of Virginia. We can officially project President Rockefeller will win Virginia's 12 Electoral Votes and win it very handily. Of course, this is the home state of Vice President Linwood Holton .

In the Virginia US Senate race, we're cannot confirm a winner because it's just too early to call."

(PRESIDENT: VIRGINIA 11 ELECTORAL VOTES)
Rockefeller (R): 69%✔
Wallace (D): 27%

(VIRGINIA US SENATE) TOO EARLY TO CALL
Byrd (I-incumbent)
Wilder (D)

(1976 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION RESULTS)
270 NEEDED TO WIN 51% OF THE PRECINCTS REPORTING
Nelson Rockefeller (R-NY St)/Linwood Holton (R-VA):
39,359,773 (62.27%)
60 Electoral Votes

George Wallace (D-AL)/Jimmy Carter (D-GA)
14, 083,591 (32.56%)
24 Electoral Votes

BREAKING NEWS ALERT: CBS NEWS PROJECTS FORMER WEST VIRGINIA SECRETARY OF STATE JAY ROCKEFELLER (D) WINS BACK GOVERNORSHIP FOR DEMOCRATS

Cronkite: "CBS News can officially project former West Virginia Secretary of State Jay Rockefeller (D), the nephew of President Nelson Rockefeller and the late Arkansas Governor Winthrop Rockefeller (R), has joined both his uncles in winning the Governorship of West Virginia easily defeating former West Virginia Governor Cecil H. Underwood (R) by a wide, wide margin.

This is a huge emotional moment for the Rockefeller family on Election Night."
(WEST VIRGINIA GOVERNOR: OPEN)
Jay Rockefeller (D): 73%✔ (DEMOCRATIC GAIN)
Cecil H. Underwood (R): 25%

BREAKING NEWS ALERT: UNITED STATES SENATOR ROBERT BYRD (D-WV) REELECTED

Cronkite: "CBS News can officially project that United States Senator Robert Byrd (D-WV) has won reelection to a fourth consecutive six-year term in the United States Senate and we're expecting he'll likely become the new Majority Leader of the United States Senate replacing outgoing United States Senator Mike Mansfield (D-MT) in January 1977."

8:32 PM EST: CBS NEWS PROJECTS NORTH CAROLINA LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JIM HUNT (D) WINS BACK GOVERNORSHIP FOR DEMOCRATS

Cronkite: "We've got another projection as the CBS News Decision Desk can project North Carolina Lieutenant Governor James B. Hunt, Jr., (D) has easily defeated his Republican opponent David Flaherty (R) by a landslide margin, taking back the North Carolina Executive Mansion for the North Carolina Democrats.

You can bet Hunt will be one of the rising stars in the Democratic Party going forward."
(NORTH CAROLINA GOVERNOR: OPEN)
Hunt (D): 75% ✔ (DEMOCRATIC GAIN)
Flaherty (R): 25%

CBS NEWS DECISION DESK PROJECTS PRESIDENT ROCKEFELLER WINS OKLAHOMA, KANSAS, SOUTH DAKOTA, NORTH DAKOTA, NEW MEXICO, MISSOURI, NEBRASKA

Mudd: "I am Rodger Mudd with the latest updates on Campaign 76. CBS News can project according to exit polling and analysis that President Rockefeller is likely projected to win the following states:
*Oklahoma (8 Electoral Votes)
*Missouri (12 Electoral Votes)
*Kansas (7 Electoral Votes)
*South Dakota (4 Electoral Votes)
*North Dakota (3 Electoral Votes)
*New Mexico (4 Electoral Votes)
*Nebraska (5 Electoral Votes)

(1976 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION RESULTS)
270 NEEDED TO WIN: 52% OF THE PRECINCTS REPORTING
Nelson Rockefeller (R-NY St)/Linwood Holton (R-VA)
41,006,783 (63.00%)
103 Electoral Votes

George Wallace (D-AL)/Jimmy Carter (D-GA)
16,616,900 (31.13%)
24 Electoral Votes

 

[Sergeant Foley]

8:44 PM EST: CBS NEWS PROJECTS PRESIDENT ROCKEFELLER WINS FLORIDA, MARYLAND, DELAWARE, ARKANSAS, OHIO, NEW YORK STATE, MASSACHUSETTS, CONNECTICUT, RHODE ISLAND, MAINE, NEW HAMPSHIRE, VERMONT

Cronkite: "More projections from the CBS News Decision Desk of Campaign 76. President Rockefeller has now won the following states, so please bear with us: Florida (17 Electoral Votes), Maryland (10 Electoral Votes), Delaware (3 Electoral Votes), Ohio (25 Electoral Votes), Arkansas (6 Electoral Votes), New York State (41 Electoral Votes), Massachusetts (14 Electoral Votes), Connecticut (8 Electoral Votes), Rhode Island (4 Electoral Votes), Maine (4 Electoral Votes), New Hampshire (4 Electoral Votes) and Vermont (3 Electoral Votes).

It's looking very likely that if President Rockefeller wins both New Jersey and Pennsylvania, he'll easily crack the necessary 270 Electoral Votes needed to secure a full four-year term. He's only 44 Electoral Votes away from winning this election.

Mike, what's the situation on the ground for the Wallace campaign?"

Wallace: "Walter. The mood in Montgomery isn't getting any better because sources on the ground state that according to our CBS affiliate in Montgomery, Alabama: the marching band that was supposed to perform at the campaign rally for Governor Wallace, had already left the ballroom of the Jefferson Davis Hotel.

Governor Wallace is still watching returns at the Alabama Governor's Mansion in downtown Montgomery and hasn't left the residence. Back in Washington, DC., the senior officials of the Democratic National Committee are bracing the likelihood of President Rockefeller winning in many see as a potential landslide victory larger than 1964 or 1972. It's somewhat still early, but it's safe to say there is no reliable path forward for Alabama Governor George Corley Wallace, Jr.,"

(1976 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION RESULTS) 53% OF THE PRECINCTS REPORTING
Nelson Rockefeller (R-NY St)/Linwood Holton (R-VA):
54,131,659 (64.29%)
242 Electoral Votes

George Wallace (D-AL)/Jimmy Carter (D-GA):
19,352,939 (32.19%)
24 Electoral Votes

 

[Sergeant Foley]

BREAKING NEWS ALERT: DEMOCRATS PROJECTED TO KEEP CONTROL OF THE US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

CBS NEWS PROJECTS DEMOCRATS TO KEEP CONTROL OF THE UNITED STATES SENATE

Stahl: "While we're awaiting results coming out of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, CBS News Decision Desk has projected Democrats will keep control of the US House of Representatives and also maintain control of the United States Senate."

(1976 US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES COMPOSITION)
Democrats: 292 (DEMOCRATIC HOLD)
Republicans: 143

(1976 UNITED STATES SENATE COMPOSITION)
Democrats: 59 (DEMOCRATIC HOLD)
Republicans: 36
*******Five US Senate races not called by CBS News or the Associated Press due to uncertainty.

(EXIT POLLS: PRESIDENT)
(Anglos)
Rockefeller: 59%
Wallace: 40%

(African Americans)
Rockefeller: 63%
Wallace: 33%

(Latinos)
Rockefeller: 59%
Wallace: 37%

(Liberals)
Rockefeller: 57%
Wallace: 39%

(Moderates)
Rockefeller: 73%
Wallace: 27%

(Conservatives)
Rockefeller: 72%
Wallace: 25%

(Democrats)
Wallace: 59%
Rockefeller: 40%

(Republicans)
Rockefeller: 99%
Wallace: 1%

(Independents)
Rockefeller: 83%
Wallace: 16%

(Men)
Rockefeller: 66%
Wallace: 34%

(Women)
Rockefeller: 62%
Wallace: 36%

(18-34 Year Olds)
Rockefeller: 71%
Wallace: 25%