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

[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%

 

[Sergeant Foley]

9:28 PM EST CBS NEWS PROJECTS PRESIDENT NELSON ROCKEFELLER WINS REELECTION

Cronkite: "It's 9:28 PM EST, the polls have already closed in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Tennessee.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the CBS News Decision Desk has researched information from exit polls, data analysis, etc., can now determine based on trends coming in. CBS News can now officially project that President Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller, the man who sought the Presidency three different times in unsuccessful bids for the Republican presidential nomination in 1960, 1964 and 1968, the man who served 14 years as New York State Governor before becoming the 41st Vice President of the United States, eventually ascending to the Presidency upon the assassination of President Gerald Ford on September 5, 1975, has been declared the winner of the 1976 Presidential election.

President Rockefeller has reached as of now 339 Electoral Votes having been declared the winner in New Jersey (17 Electoral Votes), Pennsylvania (27 Electoral Votes), Michigan (21 Electoral Votes), Minnesota (10 Electoral Votes), Wisconsin (11 Electoral Votes) and Tennessee (10 Electoral Votes)."

(1976 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION RESULTS) 55% OF THE PRECINCTS REPORTING
Nelson Rockefeller (R-NY St)/Linwood Holton (R-VA):
55,873,773 (63.83%)✔
338 Electoral Votes

George Wallace (D-AL)/Jimmy Carter (D-GA)
20,804,672 (32.73%)
31 Electoral Votes

9:47 PM EST
BREAKING NEWS ALERT: GOVERNOR WALLACE REPORTEDLY CALLS PRESIDENT ROCKEFELLER TO CONCEDE 1976 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
Cronkite: "We're back with a major development: sources from both campaigns tell CBS News that Governor Wallace just phoned President Rockefeller to conceding the presidential election. The three-term Alabama Governor has reportedly congratulated the President on his landslide victory and wished him well in the upcoming first full four-year term. And we're just hearing that both candidates will be giving speeches tonight, but not before all results in all 50 states are in. For this, stay tuned as we continue live coverage of Campaign 76 right here on CBS News."

 

[Sergeant Foley]

BREAKING NEWS ALERT: GOVERNOR WALLACE PROJECTED TO WIN LOUISIANA

Cronkite: "The CBS News Decision Desk has projected based on exit polls and data analysis that Governor Wallace will win the State of Louisiana and its 10 Electoral Votes, giving him 41 Electoral Votes total.

We're trying to get information about whether the Governor will address supporters at the Jefferson Davis Hotel in downtown Montgomery."

(PRESIDENT: LOUISIANA 10 ELECTORAL VOTES)
Wallace: 58% ✔
Rockefeller: 41%

(1976 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION RESULTS) 71% OF THE PRECINCTS REPORTING
Nelson Rockefeller (R-NY St)/Linwood Holton (R-VA):
56,945,313 (64.91%)✔
420 Electoral Votes

George Wallace (D-AL)/Jimmy Carter (D-GA):
21,976,883 (32.88%)
41 Electoral Votes

 

[Sergeant Foley]

COMING UP IN CHAPTER 4 OF THE AMERICAN REPUBLIC
Alabama Governor George Corley Wallace, Jr., (D) delivers his concession speech ​

 

[Sergeant Foley]

10:35 PM EST CBS NEWS PROJECTS PRESIDENT ROCKEFELLER WINS IOWA, ILLINOIS, UTAH, HAWAII, WASHINGTON

Cronkite: "The time is 10:35 PM EST and we're getting more projections coming in. CBS News Decision Desk has projected based on the exit polling and analysis that President Rockefeller has won the following states: Iowa (8 Electoral Votes), Illinois (26 Electoral Votes), Utah (4 Electoral Votes), Hawaii (4 Electoral Votes) and finally Washington (9 Electoral Votes) giving him a total of 471 Electoral Votes.

We're told that President Rockefeller will give his victory speech at the Rockefeller Center in New York City, New York State.

I believe that Vice President Holton had delivered his victory speech back in Richmond, Virginia to a packed crowd of 700 people earlier this evening when CBS News projected the Rockefeller and Holton ticket the easy winners of the 1976 Presidential election.

We can also project that after a long wait, CBS News Decision Desk has projected Governor Wallace will win the State of Texas in one of the narrowest of margins and it's 26 Electoral Votes."

(PRESIDENT: TEXAS 26 ELECTORAL VOTES)
Wallace: 50%✔
Rockefeller: 49%

(PRESIDENT: IOWA 8 ELECTORAL VOTES)
Rockefeller: 63%✔
Wallace: 35%

(PRESIDENT: ILLINOIS 26 ELECTORAL VOTES)
Rockefeller: 64%✔
Wallace: 32%

(PRESIDENT: UTAH 4 ELECTORAL VOTES)
Rockefeller: 71%✔
Wallace: 26%

(PRESIDENT: HAWAII 4 ELECTORAL VOTES)
Rockefeller: 50%✔
Wallace: 48%

(PRESIDENT: WASHINGTON 9 ELECTORAL VOTES)
Rockefeller: 59%✔
Wallace: 36%

(1976 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION RESULTS) 83% OF THE PRECINCTS REPORTING

Nelson Rockefeller (R-NY St)/Linwood Holton (R-VA):
59,480,673 (66.99%)✔Projected Winner
470 Electoral Votes

George Wallace (D-AL)/Jimmy Carter (D-GA)
25,005,383 (31.76%)
67 Electoral Votes

COMING UP NEXT WEEK: I'll be working on the following installments: Wallace concession speech; Rockefeller victory speech; Highlights of the US Senate races; US State Gubernatorial elections.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

11:00 PM EST: BREAKING NEWS ALERT: CBS NEWS PROJECTS WILDER THE WINNER OF THE VIRGINIA US SENATE RACE

Cronkite: "We're back from commercial breaks and I believe that Rodger Mudd has information regarding the US Senate race out there in the Commonwealth of Virginia."

Mudd: "That's right. CBS News can officially project that after detailed analysis as well as exit polls from the CBS News Decision Desk, we can now project L. Douglas Wilder, the State Senator from Richmond has defeated incumbent United States Senator Harry F. Byrd, Jr., (I-VA) in the Virginia US Senate race according to sources close to the situation over there.

Now this will be quite historic as Wilder will become the Commonwealth's first African American United States Senator and the second African American popularly elected to the United States Senate. Our exit polls revealed that a large, strong turn out of African Americans made the difference in a nationally-watched US Senate election."

(VIRGINIA UNITED STATES SENATOR: 91% OF THE PRECINCTS REPORTING)
Wilder (D): 56% ✔ (DEMOCRATIC GAIN)
Byrd (I-incumbent): 42%

 

[Sergeant Foley]

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1976
12:00 AM CST
CBS NEWS BREAKING NEWS ALERT: GOVERNOR WALLACE CONCEDES

Alabama Governor George Corley Wallace, Jr., (D) with his wife, Alabama First Lady Cornelia Wallace and family during his concession speech at the Jefferson Davis Hotel.
​

Governor Wallace: "Thank you very much. Thank you for coming tonight! Ladies and gentlemen, after a hard-fought campaign where we traveled across this great country of ours, it's my duty to inform everyone that after all of the major networks have called this election, I telephoned President Rockefeller and congratulated him on his victory tonight (crowd boos and cries). No, no, please!

Once again, I called President Rockefeller to congratulate him on an outstanding, impressive victory. On behalf of my family and my amazing campaign team, I wish the President the very best and express my hope that he will continue leading our country with great success in the coming four years as we're entering the late stage of the 1970s and entering a new decade of the 1980s. Now that the election is over, it's very critical and important that we have to reunite as a country by moving forward and solving our problems facing the United States including keeping the world at peace from the cruelties of war.

This election outcome tonight was far from what we would've wanted. In fact, it might've been a resounding defeat, but this is a resounding yet humbling defeat for the Democratic Party in consecutive elections in a row. And with that, I strongly suggest that in the coming days, weeks and months ahead, we all have to get to the bottom of what it is on where we went wrong as a political party, without any blame or excuses. On a personal note, I take the full responsibility. As the nominee of the Democratic Party for the Presidency, the buck stops with me! However, we also must admit that our supporters and campaign volunteers worked so hard in winning this election. It's not their fault that we lost tonight so resoundingly. I am proud of them and will forever be grateful for their hardworking efforts. Promise me that you will never stop standing up for what you believe in and fighting the issues and values you strongly cherish in fighting the good fights in the coming years.

I like to thank a great running-mate and fellow Southerner, who worked hard in this campaign, United States Senator Jimmy Carter from the great state of Georgia (crowd cheers). Cornelia and I would like to thank Jimmy and his wife, Rosalynn for their hardworking efforts throughout this campaign. For that, I will be forever grateful of having gained friends for life.

As for me, I will continue serving the people of the Great State of Alabama (crowd cheers loudly) in finishing my third term, where I will fight hard for Alabambian values. Good night, God Bless you, God Bless America and God Bless the great State of Alabama!"

Cronkite: "That was Alabama Governor George Wallace delivering his concession speech to supporters back in Montgomery. I believe in about 27 minutes, we're going to go live at the Rockefeller Center in New York City to hear the victory speech by President Nelson Rockefeller.

This is CBS News' live coverage of Campaign 76. We'll be right back after a word from your local television affiliates."

(Campaign 76 patriotic music blaring out).

 

[Sergeant Foley]

COMING UP ON CBS NEWS: PRESIDENT ROCKEFELLER'S VICTORY SPEECH
1:47 AM EST, Wednesday, November 3, 1976

President Rockefeller delivering victory speech at the Rockefeller Center.

Cronkite: "And we're now about to turn to the Rockefeller Center here in New York City, where President Nelson Rockefeller and his family have arrived on the stage to a thundering cheering crowd."

Crowd: "WE WANT ROCKY! WE WANT ROCKY! WE WANT ROCKY! FOUR MORE YEARS! FOUR MORE YEARS! FOUR MORE YEARS! FOUR MORE YEARS!"

President Rockefeller: "Thank you very much my friends. Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you so much. I just received a gracious telephone call from Governor George Wallace, who congratulated us on this resounding victory tonight. I thanked him for a very hard-fought campaign including his outreach to us. I would like to also use this opportunity in thanking his supporters for their participation in the democratic process. You can be assured, that I want to become the President of ALL Americans and I plan on continuing to work very hard everyday in earning your trust.

My fellow Americans: I simply cannot gather the words on how emotional I appear to be honored, humbled by this resounding victory, I am also thankful for the overwhelming mandate that you have give me and Linwood Holton, who is celebrating back in Richmond, Virginia with his family and friends. The trust you've given Linwood and I fills my heart with such overwhelming gratitude and humility and I pledge to everyone right here tonight, that in the next four years and who knows another four years after that (crowd cheers "ROCKY 1980! ROCKY 1980!") I will do almost everything in my heart, soul and body to ensure in living up to the hopes, dreams and greatest aspirations you all have expressed across this great country with your vote. But this isn't just a victory for me or the Republican Party; this is a victory for the greatest nation in the world as we stand as a strong, shinning example to the international community with our values and ideals: democracy, freedom, peace through strength, and opportunities to everyone. And while tonight, we celebrate this overwhelming mandate, tomorrow: we get right back to work in doing the people's business. Now this campaign is over, we will get right back to work in finishing right where we've started and keep it going. Because this is what you just elected us to do, getting the American people's business done so that future generations of Americans will look back in the history books decades from now, that they will ask us: where you were when this election occurred? You will tell your future children, future grandchildren, future great-grandchildren that you participated in the democratic process in making sure the hardworking gains we've achieved over the years continue to be cherished by future generations.

And finally, let me personally thank my beloved wife and your First Lady, Happy, my family and friends for their support. Including the volunteers who worked throughout the country in getting the message out about this administration's hardworking achievements and accomplishments, they've made this victory possible. My special thanks once again go out to Linwood and Jinks for their lasting support and friendship. America can be proud to have such one of the hardworking Vice Presidents as you've have been since this journey began. Once again, thank you all very much. Thanks for listening, good night and God Bless the United States of America!"

Cronkite: "That's our long coverage of CBS News' Decision 76. And that's the way it is for Wednesday, November 3, 1976. For Leslie Stahl, Rodger Mudd, Dan Rather and all of the CBS News team, I hope you enjoyed our hardworking coverage of Election Night and you'll be watching us again. Good night!"

COMING UP: Full Results from Election Night including US Senate and US State Gubernatorial elections.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

FINAL ELECTION RESULTS: 1976 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION (NOVEMBER 2, 1976)

Electoral Map of the US 1976 Presidential Election ​

President Nelson Rockefeller (R-NY St)/Vice President Linwood Holton (R-VA)
61,673,773 (67.16%) ✔
470 Electoral Votes

Governor George Wallace (D-AL)/United States Senator Jimmy Carter (D-GA)
27,376,883 (30.83%)
67 Electoral Votes

1976 UNITED STATE SENATE ELECTIONS:
62 Democrats
38 Republicans
***Beginning on January 3, 1977
(Arizona): OPEN
Dennis DiConcini (D): 54% (DEMOCRATIC GAIN)✔
Evan Mecham (R): 43%

(California)
Sam Hayakawa (R): 50.2% (REPUBLICAN GAIN)✔
John V. Tunney (D-incumbent); 46.9%

(Connecticut)
Lowell Weicker (R-incumbent): 57.7% (REPUBLICAN HOLD)✔
Gloria Schaffer (D): 41.2%

(Delaware)
William Roth (R-incumbent): 55.8% (REPUBLICAN HOLD)✔
Thomas C. Maloney (D): 43.6%

(Florida)
Lawton Chiles (D-incumbent): 63.0% (DEMOCRATIC HOLD)✔
John Grady (R): 37.0%

(Hawaii: OPEN)
Spark Matasunga (D): 53.7% (DEMOCRATIC GAIN)✔
William F. Quinn (R): 40.6%

(Indiana)
Richard Lugar (R): 58.8% (REPUBLICAN GAIN)✔
Vance Hartke (D-incumbent): 40.5%

(Maine)
Edmund Muskie (D-incumbent): 60.2% (DEMOCRATIC HOLD)✔
Roberts A.G. Monks (R): 39.8%

(Maryland)
Paul Sabarnes (D): 56.5% (DEMOCRATIC GAIN)✔
J. Glenn Beall, Jr., (R-incumbent): 38.8%

(Massachusetts)
Edward M. Kennedy (D-incumbent): 69.3% (DEMOCRATIC HOLD)✔
Michael S. Robertston (R): 29.0%

(Michigan: OPEN)
Donald Riegle (D): 52.5% (DEMOCRATIC HOLD)✔
Marvin L. Esch (R): 46.8%

(Minnesota)
Hubert H. Humphrey (D-incumbent): 67.5% (DEMOCRATIC HOLD)✔
Gerald Brekke (R): 25.0%

(Mississippi: OPEN)
Bill Allain (D): 100%✔ (DEMOCRATIC HOLD)
Unopposed

(Missouri: OPEN)
John Danforth (R): 56.9% (REPUBLICAN GAIN)✔
Warren E. Hearnes (D): 42.5%

(Montana: OPEN)
John Mechler (D): 64.2% (DEMOCRATIC HOLD)✔
Stanley C. Burger (R): 35.8%

(Nebraska: OPEN)
Edward Zorinsky (D): 52.4% (DEMOCRATIC GAIN)✔
John Y. McCollister (R): 47.5%

(Nevada)
Howard Cannon (D-incumbent): 63.0% (DEMOCRATIC HOLD)✔
David Towell (R): 31.5%

(New Jersey)
Harrison A. Williams (D-incumbent): 60.7% (DEMOCRATIC HOLD)✔
David A. Norcross (R): 38.0%

(New Mexico)
Harrison Schmidt (R): 56.9% (REPUBLICAN GAIN)✔
Joseph Montoya (D-incumbent): 40.7%

(New York State)
Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D): 54.2% (DEMOCRATIC GAIN)✔
James Buckley (R-incumbent): 44.9%

(North Dakota)
Quentin Burdick (D-incumbent): 62.1% (DEMOCRATIC HOLD)✔
Robert Stroup (R): 36.6%

(Ohio)
Howard Metzenbaum (D): 49.5% (DEMOCRATIC GAIN)✔
Robert Taft, Jr., (R-incumbent): 46.5%

(Pennsylvania: OPEN)
John Heinz, III (R): 52.4% (REPUBLICAN HOLD)✔
William Green, III (D): 46.8%

(Rhode Island: OPEN)
John Chafee (R): 57.7% (REPUBLICAN GAIN)✔
Robert P. Lorber (D): 42.0%

(Tennessee)
Jim Sasser (D): 52.5% (DEMOCRATIC GAIN)✔
Bill Brock (R-incumbent): 47.0%

(Texas)
Lloyd Bentsen (D-incumbent): 60.7% (DEMOCRATIC HOLD)✔
Alan Steelman (R): 38.5%

(Utah)
Orrin Hatch (R): 53.7% (REPUBLICAN GAIN)✔
Frank Moss (D-incumbent): 44.8%

(Vermont)
Robert Stafford (R): 50.0% (REPUBLICAN HOLD)✔
Thomas Salmon (D): 45.3%

(Virginia)
L. Douglas Wilder (D): 56.16% (DEMOCRATIC GAIN)✔
Harry F. Byrd, Jr., (I-incumbent): 43.73%

(Washington)
Henry M. "Scoop" Jackson (D-incumbent): 71.8% (DEMOCRATIC HOLD)✔
George M. Brown (R): 24.2%

(West Virginia)
Robert Byrd (D-incumbent): 99.9% (DEMOCRATIC HOLD)✔
Unopposed

(Wisconsin)
William Proxmire (D-incumbent): 72.2% (DEMOCRATIC HOLD)✔
Stanley York (R): 27.0%

(Wyoming)
Malcolm Wallop (R): 54.7% (REPUBLICAN GAIN)✔
Gale W. McGee (D-incumbent): 45.4%

 

[Sergeant Foley]

FINAL ELECTION RESULTS: US GUBERNATORIAL ELECTIONS

(Arkansas)
David Pryor (D-incumbent): 83.24% (DEMOCRATIC HOLD)✔
Leon Griffith (R): 16.74%

(Delaware)
Peter du Pont (R): 56.86% (REPUBLICAN GAIN)✔
Sherman W. Tribbitt (D-incumbent): 42.46%

(Illinois: OPEN)
James R. Thompson (R): 64.68% (REPUBLICAN GAIN)✔
Michael Howlett (D): 34.71%

(Indiana)
Otis Bowen (R): 56.85% (REPUBLICAN HOLD)✔
Larry Conrad (D): 42.63%

(Missouri)
Joseph Teasdale (D): 50.23% (DEMOCRATIC GAIN)✔
Christopher "Kit" Bond (R-incumbent): 49.55%

(Montana)
Thomas Lee Judge (D-incumbent): 61.7% (DEMOCRATIC HOLD)✔
Robert Woodahl (R): 36.58%

(New Hampshire)
Meldrim Thomson, Jr., (R-incumbent): 57.61% (REPUBLICAN HOLD)✔
Harry Spanos (D): 42.32%

(North Carolina: OPEN)
James B. "Jim" Hunt, Jr., (D): 64.99% (DEMOCRATIC GAIN)✔
David Flaherty (R): 33.9%

(North Dakota)
Arthur Link (D-incumbent): 51.80% (DEMOCRATIC HOLD)✔
Richard Elkin (R): 46.53%

(Rhode Island: OPEN)
J. Joseph Garrahy (D): 54.82% (DEMOCRATIC HOLD)✔
Jim Taft (R): 44.71%

(Utah: OPEN)
Scott Matheson (D): 52.02% (DEMOCRATIC HOLD)✔
Vernon B. Romney (R): 45.96%

(Vermont: OPEN)
Richard Snelling (R): 53.39% (REPUBLICAN GAIN)✔
Stella Hackel (D): 40.48%
Bernie Sanders (LU): 6.09%

(Washington: OPEN)
Dixy Lee Ray (D): 53.14% (DEMOCRATIC GAIN)✔
John Spellman (R): 44.43%

(West Virginia: OPEN)
Jay Rockefeller (D): 66.15% (DEMOCRATIC GAIN)✔
Cecil H. Underwood (R): 33.82%

(Puerto Rico)
Carlos Romero Barcelo (PNP): 48.28%✔
Rafael Hernandez Colon (PPD-incumbent): 45.6%

 

[Sergeant Foley]

*Friday, November 5, 1976: The lower house of the Indian Parliament votes in postponing national elections for another year. It was the second postponement since the government of Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi declared a state of emergency 16 months earlier.

*President Rockefeller meets with United States Senator Jimmy Carter (D-GA) at the White House for an informal luncheon.

*Wednesday, November 10, 1976: Emperor Hirohito of Japan celebrates the 50th anniversary of his reign. Guests in attendance shouted "Banzai" during the Golden Jubilee festivities. But many members of Parliament boycotted the event and there were protest demonstrations.

*Friday, November 12, 1976: The Chrysler Corporation will be building the new US main battletank called the Abrams according to US Army spokesmen. It will have essentially the same guns, tanks, engines as West Germany's Leopard 2.

*Saturday, November 13, 1976: President Rockefeller meets with Alabama Governor George Wallace (D) at the Fall Annual Meeting of the National Governors Association in Charlotte, North Carolina. The two former rivals then gave a joint press conference at the Hotel Marriott, calling upon national unity after the 1976 presidential election took place; the President pledged to continue his pragmatic governing approach including working on bipartisan solutions with the Democratic-controlled US House of Representatives and Democratic-controlled United States Senate.

*Wednesday, November 24, 1976: President Rockefeller delivered a nationwide address from the Oval Office on the Thanksgiving holiday and called on all Americans to participate in community service events, projects.

White House Press Secretary Ron Nessen earlier that morning in a press briefing confirmed the Rockefeller's will spend Thanksgiving holiday break in West Virginia.

*Earthquake in eastern Turkey results in the loss of an estimated 4,000 lives. The devastation was then followed by blizzards, which hampered relief efforts in the mountain villages.

*Monday, November 29, 1976: Speculation swirling around US Defense Secretary William P. Clements, Jr's future as he announced that he will be stepping down from his current position by January 20, 1977. Houston Chronicle, San Antonio Express News, Austin American Statesman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram all reported that Clements is considering a run for the Texas Governor's Mansion in 1978.

During a press conference inside the Pentagon, President Rockefeller announced he was nominating United States Senator John G. Tower (R-TX) as the next US Secretary of Defense pending Senate confirmation.

*Tuesday, November 30, 1976: United States Senator Harry F. Byrd, Jr., (I-VA) resigns from office effective December 3rd, therefore giving L. Douglas Wilder seniority when the Democrat is sworn into office as the junior United States Senator from Virginia.

*Rumors swirling about what the Rockefeller Cabinet will be looking like in the next four years. White House Chief of Staff Ann C. Whitman told the White House Press Corps that some Cabinet Secretaries will be replaced via their own personal requests. Speculation around Capitol Hill is that among those rumored to be stepping aside: US Housing & Urban Development Secretary Carla Anderson Hills, US Secretary of the Treasury William Simon, US Ambassador to the United Nations William Scranton, etc.,

*Wednesday, December 1, 1976: Army Lieutenant General Oscar Robles, who took power in a military coup d'etat on January 21, 1975 and took office as the 58th President of the United Mexican States, won a plebiscite election on July 1, 1976 with 99% of the nationwide vote (Robles was the only candidate), was inaugurated inside the Legislative Building.

​

*Friday, December 3, 1976: Lawrence Douglas Wilder (D-VA) is sworn into office as the junior United States Senator from the Commonwealth of Virginia by Vice President Holton inside the US Senate chambers succeeding former United States Senator Harry F. Byrd (I-VA), who resigned from office on November 30th in order to give Wilder seniority.

This is a historic moment as there are two African Americans serving concurrently in the United States Senate together: Wilder himself and United States Senator Edward W. Brooke, III (R-MA).

 

[Sergeant Foley]

DETAILS COMING IN: PRESIDENT ROCKEFELLER ANNOUNCES NEW CABINET APPOINTMENTS, FOLLOWING THROUGH ON BIPARTISANSHIP PLEDGES
*Thursday, December 16, 1976: Less than a week before the Christmas holiday break, President Rockefeller made new appointments to his Cabinet and his administration, with some changes along the way and the following included:

*United States Senator Edward W. Brooke, III (R-MA) has been appointed to serve as US Attorney General by President Rockefeller, replacing Edward H. Levi by Spring 1977 pending Senate confirmation. Upon likely confirmation, Brooke will become the third African American to serve in a Presidential Cabinet, the second African American Cabinet Secretary in the Rockefeller administration alongside US Transportation Secretary William Thaddeus Coleman.

*David Rockefeller, the youngest brother of President Rockefeller, who worked on the Americans for Rocky reelection campaign this year and participated in attending some diplomatic goodwill tours in several countries, has been chosen to serve as US Secretary of the Treasury.

*Former US Ambassador to Luxemborg Patricia Roberts Harris, will be named as the new US Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, becoming the first African American female to serve in a Presidential Cabinet. Reports state that both United States Senator Jimmy Carter (D-GA) and US Rep. Andrew Young (D-GA) both lobbied hard for Harris' appointment.

*Idaho Governor Cecil Andrus (D) will be named as the next US Secretary of the Interior, replacing the outgoing Thomas S. Kleppe.

*United States Senator John G. Tower (R-TX) will replace outgoing US Defense Secretary William P. Clements, Jr., To honor his years of service at the US Defense Department, President Rockefeller awarded Clements with the Presidential Medal of Freedom on December 9th.

*Outgoing Washington Governor Daniel J. Evans (R), whose third term as Washington's 16th Governor ends on January 12, 1977 after 12 years in the Washington Governor's Mansion, has been named as the new US Ambassador to the United Nations.

*US Rep. Kika De La Garza (D-TX), who has represented Texas' 15th Congressional District since 1965, has been named as the new US Secretary of Agriculture. In 1966, De La Garza became the first congressman from the Texas-Mexico border area to serve on the Mexico-United States Interparliamentary Group, which promoted dialogue between legislators from the two countries.

*US Ambassador to NATO James Schlesinger has been named to the newly-created position of US Secretary of Energy.

KEY CABINET MEMBERS STAYING PUT:
*US Secretary of State Malcolm Wilson: Wilson plans on preparing for new peace talk negotiations in the Middle East; still working on trying to revive stalled Panama Canal negotiations, but is likely to face stiff, openly hostile opposition form Conservatives in both political parties.

*Director of Central Intelligence George HW Bush will be staying in his current post.

*National Security Adviser Brent Scowcroft: Having served in this position under the late President Gerald Ford since 1974, while serving in the United States Air Force (retiring with the rank of Lieutenant General in December 1975), he's continued serving in this position under President Rockefeller.

*US Trade Representative Frederick B. Dent: Dent will be staying in his current position.

*US Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers Alan Greenspan will be staying in his position.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

COMING SOON IN CHAPTER 5 OF THE AMERICAN REPUBLIC
January 1-19, 1979: Rockefeller's State Visits to Europe, the Carribbean and Latin America

​

 

[Sergeant Foley]

COLLEGE FOOTBALL HEADLINES:

LEGENDARY TEXAS LONGHORNS FOOTBALL HEAD COACH DARRELL ROYAL GETS STORYBOOK ENDING TO COACHING CAREER WITH BLOWOUT WIN AGAINST ARKANSAS IN AUSTIN

Royal being carried off the field by his players following the Longhorns' 57-12 blowout victory over SWC arch-rival Arkanas at Memorial Stadium in downtown Austin, Texas.

*Saturday, December 4, 1976: In what many saw as a storybook ending to one of the greatest coaching careers in the history of College Football, Texas Longhorns Football Head Coach Darrell Royal resigned as the football team's head coach effective immediately following the Longhorns' (7-3-1) 57-12 blowout victory over SWC arch-rival Arkansas which was broadcast on ABC. Royal ends his coaching career with an overall record of (186-58-5) after 26 years; Royal finished (169-45-5) with the Longhorns including 11 Southwestern Conference Championships (1959; 1961; 1962; 1963; 1968; 1969; 1970; 1971; 1972; 1973; 1975) and 3 national championships (1963; 1969; 1970).


BOWL GAME HEADLINES FROM THE 1976 COLLEGE FOOTBALL SEASON
*Independence Bowl (December 13, 1976): McNeese State Cowboys (10-2) defeated Tulsa Golden Hurricane (7-4-1) by a score of 20-16.

*Tangerine Bowl (December 18, 1976): No. 14 Oklahoma State Cowboys (9-3) throttles Brigham Young (9-3) 49-21.

*Liberty Bowl (December 20, 1976): No. 16 Alabama Crimson Tide (9-3) defeated No. 7 UCLA Bruins (9-2-1) in a blowout, 36-6.

*Fiesta Bowl (December 25, 1976): No. 8 Oklahoma Sooners (9-2-1) defeats Wyoming (8-3) in a blowout victory 41-7.

*Gator Bowl (December 27, 1976): No. 15 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (9-3) defeats No. 20 Penn State Nittany Lions (7-5) 20-9.

*Peach Bowl (December 31, 1976): Kentucky Wildcats (8-4) upset No. 19 North Carolina Tar Heels (9-3), shutting the Tar Heels out 21-0.

*Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl (December 31, 1976): No. 13 Nebraska Cornhuskers (9-3-1) rallies from ten points down to defeat No. 9 Texas Tech Red Raiders (10-2) 27-24.

*Sun Bowl (January 2, 1977): No. 10 Texas A&M Aggies (10-2) defeats Florida Gators (8-4) 37-14.

*Orange Bowl (January 1, 1977): No. 11 Ohio State Buckeyes (9-2-1) defeats No. 12 Colorado Buffaloes (8-4) 27-10.

*Rose Bowl (January 1, 1977): No. 3 USC Trojans (11-1) defeats No. 2 Michigan Wolverines (10-2) 14-6.

*Cotton Bowl Classic (January 1, 1977): No. 6 Houston Cougars (10-2) defeats No. 4 Maryland Terrapins (11-1) 30-21.

*Sugar Bowl (January 1, 1977): No. 1 Pittsburgh Panthers (12-0) trounces SEC champion No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs (10-2) 27-3; the Panthers win their 9th national championship in program history (1915, 1916, 1918, 1929, 1931, 1934, 1936, 1937, 1976).