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

[Sergeant Foley]

BREAKING NEWS ALERT: CHURCH DROPS OUT OF THE 1976 DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARIES; ENDORSES BROWN

United States Senator Frank Church (D-ID) announcing his withdrawal from the 1976 Democratic Presidential Primaries on ABC's "Issues and Answers".

*Wednesday, May 5, 1976: Less than 24 hours after the May 4th Primary elections, United States Senator Frank Church (D-ID) went on ABC's "Issues and Answers" and confirmed he was dropping out of the 1976 Democratic Presidential primaries effective immediately and will be endorsing California Governor Jerry Brown (D). "At this point in time, my campaign for President no longer has the strength to continue and after consulting with my staff, I have decided that this campaign will be permanently suspended and I plan on endorsing Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr., of the great state of California to become the Democratic Party's nominee for President in 1976."

JORDAN: "I'LL BE DELIVERING KEYNOTE ADDRESS AT DNC CONVENTION THIS SUMMER."

US Rep. Barbara Jordan (D-TX) addressed questions on whether she'll be addressing the Democratic National Convention this summer in New York City, "I will be speaking at the DNC Convention in New York City this summer" and she also confirmed she'll be giving the Keynote Address on the first night of the convention. While she dodged questions on whether she'll support front-runner Alabama Governor George Wallace (D), Jordan explained "I will support whoever the Democratic nominee for the Presidency is, but we still have lots of primaries left and it isn't over until it's really over."

Gallup Polling Survey (May 9, 1976): Who would you support for the Democratic nomination for President in 1976?
Alabama Governor George C. Wallace, Jr., (D): 43%
California Governor Edmund G. "Jerry" Brown, Jr., (D): 21%
United States Senator Henry M. "Scoop" Jackson (D-WA St): 9%
Undecided: 27%

NOT DROPPING OUT: JACKSON SEES PATH FOR THE NOMINATION DESPITE LONG ODDS

United States Senator Henry M. "Scoop" Jackson (D-WA St) while addressing the ALF-CIO Convention in San Francisco, California.

*Tuesday, May 12, 1976: During an address to the ALF-CIO Convention in San Francisco, United States Senator Henry M. "Scoop" Jackson (D-WA St) said he still has a path for the Democratic presidential nomination despite the odds stacked against him. "I'm not the one who quits things very easily, because nobody's had my long experience of public service and winning multiple elections over the years. I believe this campaign has a path forward with upcoming primaries coming up throughout the end of this month and if there's not enough delegates for anyone to clinch the nomination, this will be decided at the Democratic National Convention in New York City this summer."

 

[Sergeant Foley]

BREAKING NEWS: ALABAMA GOVERNOR GEORGE WALLACE (D) GETS NECESSARY DELEGATES TO WIN THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION FOR PRESIDENT
8:55 PM CST, Tuesday, June 8, 1976
Montgomery, Alabama

Alabama Governor George Wallace (D) celebrating after getting the necessary pledged delegates to win the Democratic presidential nomination during victory party at the Jefferson Davis Hotel in downtown Montgomery.
​

*June 8, 1976: After the primaries were done and over with, it appears the Democrats finally have a presumptive nominee: Alabama Governor George Corley Wallace, Jr., (D) won just enough pledged delegates to securing his party's nomination for the Presidency, having defeated his main rivals: California Governor Jerry Brown (D) and United States Senator Henry M. "Scoop" Jackson (D-WA St). Brown was able to win the following primaries along the way: Nevada, Montana, District of Columbia, Oregon, Nebraska, Idaho, Utah, Maryland and his home state of California. Jackson to only win just four states: New York State, Alaska, Massachusetts and his home state of Washington State. At the age of 56, Wallace is the first Alabamian to become the nominee of a major political party for the Presidency and currently in his third term as the Land of Dixie's 45th Governor, Wallace has managed to pull of the impossible: winning the Democratic Party presidential nomination on his third attempt (his second presidential campaign was an Independent bid for the American Independence Party in 1968, where he carried five states in a three-way race).

In his victory speech at the Jefferson Davis Hotel in downtown Montgomery, Wallace doubled-down on standing up for Southern family values and fighting for the forgotten Americans "It's been a long time since we've began this campaign and the fight against the federal government's overreach of intervention in the affairs of the States. If I am elected as your President, I promise to everyone to get the Federal Government off of your backs and get out of the business of education. I will put an end to this weak-kneed busing initiative forever!" Among the plans he planned to do if elected: get aggressive on public safety by building more prisons, enforcing the death penalty nationwide, tackling government corruption, etc.,

1976 Democratic Presidential Primaries: June 8, 1976 (Pledged Delegates)
Alabama Governor George C. Wallace (D): 1,012 Delegates 8,190,997 Votes (52.95%)
California Governor Edmund G. "Jerry" Brown, Jr., (D): 287 Delegates; 3,280,192 Votes (20.06%)
US Rep. Morris Udall (D-AZ): 282 Delegates; 1,611,755 Votes (10.11%)
United States Senator Henry M. "Scoop" Jackson (D-WA St): 184 Delegates; 1,132,373 (7.01%)

BROWN CONCEDES DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION; CONGRATULATES WALLACE; AIDES BLAME JACKSON, UDALL FOR DEFEAT

​

California Governor Jerry Brown (D) addressing reporters inside the conference room of the California State Capitol in Sacramento.

*Wednesday, June 9, 1976: During a press conference inside the conference room of the California State Capitol in downtown Sacramento, California Governor Jerry Brown (D) officially conceded the 1976 Democratic presidential nomination to Wallace. "Good Morning everyone. It was a hard fought campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination, but despite our best hardworking efforts, we just couldn't overcome the tough odds facing us. The nomination is Governor Wallace's, and we all need to make sure that as a party, we have to be united to prevent four more years of Republicans controlling the White House," he said. "I plan on continuing being a voice as Governor of the great State of California and will not hesitate to expressing my views on the issues facing the American people, regardless who is the President of the United States."

Once Brown's press conference ended, some of his campaign aides such as Gubernatorial Chief of Staff Gray Davis blasted both US Rep. Morris Udall (D-AZ) and United States Senator Henry Jackson (D-WA St) in private conversations with reporters. The general mood was that of anger, disappointment, frustration and rage at the thought of seeing a hardcore Southern segregationist Democrat being the Democratic nominee for the Presidency. "Had those old goats never entered into the race, we would've won the nomination and stopped this nightmare. Instead we all split the vote, giving that scumbag from Alabama an easy ride to the nomination," one remarked. Others expressed strong doubts on whether Wallace was up to the task of beating Rockefeller "This jackass knows NOTHING about Washington, DC. All he does is rant, rave and nag plus bitching against the federal government using racist dog-whistle campaigns. He might get away with that in the Deep South, but in large parts of the country, he's a dead LOSER come November!" quoted one of the Brown campaign aides.

AD-HOC POLLS: POST WALLACE NOMINATION
Gallup quickly conducted a number of polls just hours after Governor Wallace became the presumptive nominee of the Democratic Party for President. Not just a couple of new national polling surveys coming out, all 50 states had been polled for their presidential preference. With just five months to go before the election, the outcome appears not much in doubt:

1976 PRESIDENTIAL HEAD-TO-HEAD MATCHUP: JUNE 9, 1976
President Nelson Rockefeller (R-incumbent): 59%
Alabama Governor George Wallace (D): 35%

Opinion of President Nelson Rockefeller (Gallup: June 9, 1976)
Approve: 71%
Disapprove: 19%

1976 Congressional Generic Ballot
Democrats: 57%
Republicans: 38%

1976 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION: STATE-BY-STATE ELECTORAL MAP
President Nelson Rockefeller (R-incumbent): 440
Alabama Governor George Wallace (D): 105

 

[Sergeant Foley]

BREAKING NEWS ALERT: PRESIDENT ROCKEFELLER OFFICIALLY PRESUMPTIVE REPUBLICAN PARTY NOMINEE FOR THE PRESIDENCY AFTER DOMINATING PRIMARIES
10:27 PM EST, Tuesday, June 8, 1976
Rockefeller Center, New York City, New York State

​

"WE WANT ROCKY! WE WANT ROCKY! WE WANT ROCKY!" These were the cheerful chants being heard from a heavily packed crowd at the Rockefeller Center in New York City as they watched election returns in the final stage of primaries.

Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller FINALLY got the prize: winning the Republican Party presidential nomination after three unsuccessful attempts in 1960, 1964 and 1968. Despite a strong primary challenge from former California Governor Ronald Reagan (R), it wasn't enough to stop Rocky's momentum and massive fundraising advantage.

President Rockefeller addressed the gathering as follows: "Thank you! (Crowd cheers loudly). I would like to thank everyone who's been with me and my family during this grueling campaign over the past few months. Based on the returns from the final primary states, it is official that yours truly has officially been declared the presumptive nominee of the Republican Party for President of the United States.

Now that the primaries are over, we continue the march toward November and we will win this thing! It is important that we are all Americans, where it's very critical for everyone in attendance to spread the word of the accomplishments this administration has been doing. Tonight, we celebrate, but the campaign isn't over because we've got a story to tell in all fifty states in the next five months."

*1976 Republican Party Presidential Primaries
President Nelson Rockefeller: 11,529,803 Votes (73.23%) 1,098 Delegates
Former California Governor Ronald Reagan: 2,760,227 Votes (23.75%)
383 Delegates

BREAKING NEWS ALERT: REAGAN TO MAKE SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT TOMORROW

*ABC News is reporting that former California Governor Ronald Reagan (R) addressed his supporters in Los Angeles at the Hilton Hotel to an estimated crowd of over 773+ people in attendance.

Despite winning seven primaries including his home state of California during the primary sesson, the odds were obviously stacked against him. "Thank you very much California for bringing it home for us tonight!" as the crowd cheered due to his landslide win 112 out of the Golden State's 171 delegates. However, he stopped short of conceding the nomination to Rockefeller only saying "I'll make a special announcement on the future sometime this week in short order."

Sources state Reagan will make a special announcement tomorrow morning. It's unknown what he'll discuss but political analysts expect him to drop out and reluctantly endorse Rockefeller's reelection campaign.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

MAJOR BREAKING NEWS ALERTS: REAGAN ENDS CAMPAIGN; PRESIDENT ROCKEFELLER OFFICIALLY PRESUMPTIVE REPUBLICAN PARTY NOMINEE FOR THE PRESIDENCY
9:00 AM PST, Friday, June 11, 1976
Simi Valley, California

Former California Governor Ronald Reagan (R) conceded the 1976 Republican Presidential primaries to incumbent President Nelson Rockefeller.
​

On the morning of June 11th, reporters were abruptly summoned by former California Governor Ronald Reagan (R). They had no specific information given what exactly the former two-term California Governor would say and the gathering was announced hours in advance.

"Good morning Ladies and Gentlemen. I apologize for the abrupt scheduling of this meeting and that you didn't have enough time to prepare and potentially discomfort from this important development. However, the decision that I am about to announce is one that I had given through consideration and one I need to make quickly as soon as possible. Both for myself and my family, this has been a longer process of reflection and consideration during the height of this campaign in the battle of ideas for the Republican Party.

Today as I speak, our country is facing numbers of serious challenges, both at home and abroad. However, over the course of the past recent months, I have been engaged in a campaign that has inspired many Americans that I've met personally across the country. For that, I will be forever grateful for welcoming Nancy and I to your homes to discuss the issues facing Americans. And while I'm grateful for offering an alternative on issues such as tackling the budget deficits, inflation, foreign policy crises and getting our domestic house in order because I still believe the status quo in recent years is unacceptable.

It has also became evident following the last of the primaries from Tuesday night of this week, the voters of my party has chosen to maintain a different viewpoint. Now I have concluded after much thoughts and prayers with my family, whom I can tell you now, strongly urged me to keep fighting all the way to the end. But I concluded that the Party of Abraham Lincoln, Dwight Eisenhower needs to be united if we want to emerge victorious in November.

Therefore, I have announced that I will be suspending my campaign for the Presidential nomination of the Republican Party effective immediately.

Let us as Republicans unite behind President Rockefeller in building a more prosperous and peaceful future by making the United States of America greater, stronger than ever before. I will be taking your questions at another time.

Thank you very much."

 

[Sergeant Foley]

@Buba @WolfBear @Husky_Khan @Zachowon @Rusty Shackleford @Culsu @Carrot of Truth @Circle of Willis @Zyobot @stevep @TheRomanSlayer @49ersfootball @Captain X @Cherico @Airedale260 @Tiamat

Here are the upcoming installments for next week I'll be working on this weekend:
1.) The Democrats: VP Sweepstakes
2.) Unity in the Party of Lincoln
3.) International headlines from Summer 1976
4.) US Senate races to watch in 1976
5.) US State Gubernatorial elections to watch in 1976
6.) Foreign Affairs
7.) Headlines of College Football

 

[Sergeant Foley]

THE VP SWEEPSTAKES: DEMOCRATS

*Friday, June 25, 1976: It's been less than 17 days since Alabama Governor George Wallace (D) became the presumptive Democratic Party presidential nominee. Now the difficult task ahead of him: choosing a running mate for the Vice Presidency in an attempt to balancing out the ticket.

Among the names listed:
United States Senator Walter Mondale (D-MN)
Experience: United States Senator from Minnesota since December 30, 1964; 23rd Minnesota State Attorney General (May 4, 1960-December 30, 1964)
Military Service: United States Army (1951-1953) during the Korean War
Why he's being considered: Mondale is hardly known outside the Midwest, but he's earned credentials during his nearly 12 years in the United States Senate by working on various policy fields. He would be helpful to Governor Wallace in the Midwest and the Great Plains.

Kentucky Governor Julian Carroll (D)
Experience: 54th Governor of Kentucky since December 28, 1974; 46th Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky (December 7, 1971-December 28, 1974); Member, Kentucky House of Representatives (1963-1971); Speaker of the Kentucky House of Representatives (1968-1970)
Military Service: United States Air Force
Why he's being considered: Carroll ascended to the Kentucky Governorship in December 1974 following the resignation of then-Kentucky Governor Wendell Ford (D), who was elected to the United States Senate in November 1974. In 1975, he was easily elected to a full four-year term in a massive landslide victory. Carroll would help Governor Wallace in the South including Appalachia.

United States Senator Jimmy Carter (D-GA)
Experience: United States Senator from Georgia since January 14, 1975; 76th Governor of Georgia (January 12, 1971-January 14, 1975); Member, Georgia State Senate (1963-1967)
Military Service: United States Navy; United States Naval Reserves
Why he's being considered: Carter is seen by many Democrats as one of the rising stars in American politics. He's seen as a bridge between the Moderate-Conservatives and the Liberals. He would be helpful to the Democratic Party in the Deep South, particularly in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama including his home state of Georgia. He would also appeal to the Budget Hawks in zero-based budgeting.

Colorado Governor Dick Lamm (D)
Experience: 38th Governor of Colorado since January 14, 1975; Member, Colorado House of Representatives (1967-1975)
Military Service: United States Army
Why he's being considered: Lamm is from the Southwest also known as the Mountain Rockies. He's seen as a tough, no nonsense straight honest politician who calls the major issues as he sees them despite getting backlash from many in his own political party. He would be helpful to the Democratic ticket in the Southwest and potentially other parts of the country in the Great Lakes and Midwest.

In 1972, Lamm made statewide acclaim and national headlines by pushing voter referendums in rejecting the 1976 Winter Olympics being hosted in Denver. The moved forced the City of Denver to withdraw from hosting the 1976 Winter Olympics; the Winter Games were then awarded to Innsbruck, Austria.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

BREAKING NEWS ALERT: VIDELA ORDERS THE REMOVAL OF THE REMAINS OF THE LATE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC PRESIDENT JUAN PERON OUT OF THE GROUNDS OF QUINTA DE OLIVOS; DETAILS SKETCHY
*Saturday, June 26, 1976: Argentine Republic President General Jorge Rafael Videla has ordered the removal of the remains of the late three-term Argentine Republic President Juan Domingo Peron from display inside the presidential chapel on the grounds of Quinta de Olivos in Olivos according to sources close to the Argentinian military government.

The move isn't really surprising considering it had been one of Videla's first priorities since taking power in a military coup d'etat against then-Argentine Republic President Isabel Martinez de Peron on March 24th. Reports confirmed Videla is planning on moving into Quinta de Olivos (Residence of the Argentine Republic President). ABC News has reported that Videla also wants the presidential chapel to be detonated and blown up immediately.

Television stations in Buenos Aires reported that the Military Junta is currently debating on whether to bury Peron at the Eva Peron Great Mausoleum in the outskirts of San Vicente (where his second wife, the late Argentine Republic First Lady Eva Duarte de Peron is entombed) or at Chacarita Cemetery where the Peron family vault is located.

COMING UP NEXT WEEK: Installment on the crazy of crazy the body of the late three-term Argentine Republic President Juan Domingo Peron is removed from the grounds of Quinta de Olivos in the middle of the night.

 

[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.