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

[Sergeant Foley]

1978 MIDTERMS: UNITED STATES SENATE (PART IV)

*Louisiana: United States Senator J. Bennett Johnston (D-LA) was virtually unopposed in his reelection victory without doing any campaigning.
J. Bennett Johnston (D-incumbent): 100%✔
DEMOCRATIC HOLD.

*Massachusetts: United States Senator Paul Tsongas (D-MA) was appointed to the US Senate seat in Spring 1977 by Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis (D) following the resignation of then-United States Senator Edward W. Brooke (R-MA) ,who stepped down to serve as US Attorney General in President Rockefeller's administration.

Tsongas easily won the special election on June 16, 1977 with 60% of the statewide vote. He defeats Republican challenger Avi Nelson (R) by double digits, securing a full six-year term.
Paul Tsongas (D-incumbent): 1,093,283 (55.06%)✔
Avi Nelson (R): 890,584 (43.85%)
DEMOCRATIC HOLD.

*Michigan: The Democrats got a huge pick-up with former Detroit City Council President Carl Levin (D) defeating two-term incumbent United States Senator Robert P. Griffin (R-MI).
Carl Levin (D): 1,484,193 (52.1%)✔
Robert P. Griffin (R-incumbent): 1,362,165 (47.9%)
DEMOCRATIC GAIN.

*Minnesota: The Land of 10,000 Lakes was altered by the following developments: then-United States Senator Walter Mondale (D-MN) abruptly resigned in December 1976 to serve as US Ambassador to Canada. Mondale's resignation resulted in then-Minnesota Governor Wendell Anderson (D) appointing himself to Mondale's US Senate seat.

Then-Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Rudy Perpich (D) ascended to the Governorship. Minnesotans got triggered by the political jockeying, which further escalated with the death of legendary United States Senator and former Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey (D-MN) on January 13th; Perpich appointed Humphrey's wife, Muriel to her husband's US Senate seat.

Anderson campaigned for a full six-year term, but faced an aggressive challenge from Rudy Boschwitz (R), who benefited from the backlash against the Minnesota Democratic Party and the political jockeying of the state's three major statewide offices. When the voters gave their verdict, Boschwitz easily defeated Anderson by double digits.
Rudy Boschwitz (R): 894,092 (56.57%)✔
Wendell Anderson (D-incumbent): 638,375 (40.39%)
REPUBLICAN GAIN.

*Minnesota (Open): Special
When then-United States Senator and former US Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey (D-MN) died from bladder cancer on January 13th, Minnesota Governor Rudy Perpich (D) appointed Humphrey's wife, Muriel Humphrey (D-MN) to her late husband's US Senate seat. However, she chose to retire and not run in the special election. David Durenberger (R) easily defeated Bob Short (D) in a landslide victory which sent major ramifications in the Land of 10,000 Lakes going forward.
David Durenberger (R): 957,908 (61.47%)✔
Bob Short (D): 538,675 (34.57%)
REPUBLICAN GAIN.

*Mississippi (Open): The Magnolia State got a huge political shakeup when arch-segregationist United States Senator James Eastland (D-MS) finally retired. Democrats quickly united behind Mississippi Governor Cliff Finch (D), who won the Democratic Party nomination by acclamation. Finch was viewed as one of the rising stars of the Democratic Party and potential contender for the Presidency.

However, things got thrown into a huge wrench when Charles Evers (I) crashed the party and launched total chaos. Beneficiary of this chaotic crisis: US Rep. Thad Cochran (R-MS) ,who won in such a wide margin in the wild, entertaining US Senate campaign. Cochran also made history as the first Republican United States Senator in the Magnolia State since Reconstruction.
REPUBLICAN GAIN.

*Montana (Open): US Rep. Max Baucus (D-MT) defeated Larry R. Williams (R) by double digits.
Max Baucus (D): 160,353 (55.69%)✔
Larry R. Williams (R): 127,589 (44.31%)
DEMOCRATIC HOLD .

*Nebraska (Open): Longtime United States Senator Cliff Curtis (R-NE) chose not to seek reelection to a fifth term after 24 years in the United States Senate. Nebraska Governor J. James Exon (D) won this election in a landslide easily defeating Donald Eugene Shatten (R) in the Cornhusker State's open US Senate race.
J. James Exon (D): 334,096 (67.7%)✔
Donald Eugene Shatten (R): 159,708 (32.3%)
DEMOCRATIC GAIN .

*New Hampshire: Gordon J. Humphrey (R) defeated three-term incumbent United States Senator Thomas McIntyre (D-NH), who was seeking reelection to a fourth term.
Gordon J. Humphrey (R): 133,745 (50.71%)✔
Thomas McIntyre (D-incumbent): 127,943 (48.51%)
REPUBLICAN GAIN.

COMING UP LATER IN CHAPTER 5: I'll be working on Part V of the 1978 Midterms of the United States Senate.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

COMING SOON IN CHAPTER 5 OF THE AMERICAN REPUBLIC
November 27, 1978: The day that altered California politics ​

 

[Sergeant Foley]

1978 MIDTERMS: UNITED STATES SENATE (PART V)
*New Jersey (Open): The Garden State was shocked when four-term incumbent United States Senator Clifford Chase (R-NJ) was narrowly defeated in the Republican primary election, losing to anti-tax conservative activist Jeff Bell (R). On the Democratic side, former NBA player Bill Bradley (D), who won two NBA championships with the New York Knicks (1970, 1973) got the support of the entire New Jersey Democratic Party including the party's statewide political machine apparatus.

Buoyed by the landslide reelection victory of New Jersey Governor Brendan Byrne (D) in 1977, Bradley easily emerged victorious defeating Bell by double digits.
Bill Bradley (D): 1,082,960 (55.32%) ✔
Jeff Bell (R): 844,200 (43.13%)
DEMOCRATIC GAIN.

*New Mexico: Incumbent United States Senator Pete Domenici (R-NM) held off a strong challenge from New Mexico State Attorney General Toney Anaya (D) .
Pete Domenici (R-incumbent): 183,442 (53.4%)✔
Toney Anaya (D): 160,045 (46.6%)
REPUBLICAN HOLD.

*North Carolina: In the Tar Heel State, staunch super right-wing conservative incumbent United States Senator Jesse Helms (R-NC) defeated North Carolina Insurance Commissioner John Ingram (D).
Jesse Helms (R-incumbent): 619,151 (54.5%)✔
John Ingram (D): 516,663 (45.5%)
REPUBLICAN HOLD.

*Oklahoma (Open): United States Senator Dewey Bartlett (R-OK) announced he wasn't seeking reelection following reports of his cancer diagnosis. One-term Oklahoma Governor David Boren (D) defeated his Republican opponent Robert Kamm (R) in a landslide, making it the fourth pick-up for the Democrats tonight.
David Boren (D): 493,953 (65.49%)✔
Robert Kamm (R): 247,857 (32.86%)
DEMOCRATIC GAIN.

*Oregon: Two-term incumbent United States Senator Mark Hatfield (R-OR) has been reelected defeating Democratic challenger Vernon Cook (D).
Mark Hatfield (R-incumbent): 550,615 (61.66%)✔
Vernon Cook (D): 341,616 (38.26%)
REPUBLICAN HOLD.

*Puerto Rico: In the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the 51st State held two statewide elections during the Summer of 1977 in determining who'll win the newly-created two US Senate seats. Former Puerto Rico Governor Luis Ferre (PNP/R) ,who served as the Commonwealth's 3rd Governor from January 2, 1969 to January 2, 1973 before losing reelection in 1972. Ferre was supported by President Rockefeller and Vice President Holton during the campaign. When Puerto Ricans made the final verdict: Ferre emerged victorious defeating Puerto Rico State Senator, George Becker (PDP/D).

Fast forward to 1978, Ferre won a full six-year term defeating Gillespie in their rematch.

Luis Ferre (PNP/R): 773,783 (56.83%)✔
George Becker (PDP/D): 605,940 (41.96%)
REPUBLICAN HOLD.

COMING UP IN CHAPTER 5: Parts VI of the 1978 Midterm elections covering the United States Senate. Later this week, I'll be working on the results on the US Governorships.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

1978 MIDTERMS: UNITED STATES SENATE (PART VI)

*Rhode Island: Incumbent United States Senator Claiborne Pell (D-RI) has been reelected overwhelmingly defeating Republican challenger James G. Williams (R).
Claiborne Pell (D-incumbent): 229,557 (75.1%)✔
James G. Williams (R): 76,061 (24.9%)
DEMOCRATIC HOLD.

*South Carolina: United States Senator Strom Thurmond (R-SC) easily wins reelection defeating Democratic challenger Chris Ravenel (D) by double digits.
Strom Thurmond (R-incumbent): 351,733 (55.6%)✔
Chris Ravenel (D): 281,119 (44.4%)
REPUBLICAN HOLD.

*South Dakota (Open): US Rep. Larry Pressler (R-SD) throttled Rapid City Mayor Dan Burnett (D) in a landslide victory.
Larry Pressler (R): 170,832 (66.84%)✔
Dan Burnett (D): 84,767 (33.16%)
REPUBLICAN GAIN.

*Tennessee: Two-term incumbent United States Senator Howard Baker (R-TN) wins reelection to a third term in the Volunteer State by double digits.
Howard Baker (R-incumbent): 642,644 (55.54%)✔
Jake Eskind (D): 466,228 (40.30%)
REPUBLICAN HOLD.

*Texas: Incumbent United States Senator Mark W. White (D-TX), who was appointed to the US Senate seat by outgoing Texas Governor Dolph Briscoe (D) upon the resignation of then-United States Senator John Tower (R-TX) who became US Secretary of Defense under President Nelson Rockefeller, overwhelmingly won a special election in the Summer of 1977 with 72% of the statewide vote in a field of 20 candidates.

Seeking reelection to a full six-year term in 1978, White faced off against former Houston Mayor Louie Welch (R) in the Lone Star State's US Senate election, the campaign was basically nonexistent due to the majority of the attention focusing on the Texas Gubernatorial election (more on that later in the 1978 Midterms). White easily throttled the flamboyant Welch in a landslide victory carrying 237 out of 254 counties.
Mark W. White (D-incumbent): 1,773,616 (61.83%)✔
Louie Welch (R): 829,917 (35.59%)
DEMOCRATIC HOLD.

*Virginia (Open): Over in the Old Dominion, John Warner (R) narrowly defeated Virginia State Attorney General Andrew P. Miller (D) by 5,000+ votes.
John Warner (R): 613,232 (50.2%)✔
Andrew P. Miller (D): 608,511 (49.8%)
REPUBLICAN HOLD.

*West Virginia: Incumbent United States Senator Jennings Randolph (D-WV) got a strong aggressive challenge from former West Virginia Governor Arch Moore (R) in the Mountaineer State's US Senate election. After days of long waiting, Randolph emerged victorious very, very narrowly.
Jennings Randolph (D-incumbent): 249,034 (50.48%)✔
Arch Moore (R): 244,317 (49.52%)
DEMOCRATIC HOLD.

*Wyoming (Open): Alan K. Simpson (R) handily defeated Raymond Whitaker (D) in a landslide victory.
Alan K. Simpson (R): 82,908 (62.17%)✔
Raymond Whitaker (D): 50,456 (37.83%)
REPUBLICAN HOLD .

 

[Sergeant Foley]

1978 MIDTERMS: US STATE/TERRITORY GOVERNORSHIPS (PART I)

*Alabama (Open): Over in the Land of Dixie: Fob James (D), who called himself "born again Democrat" after being a Republican for several years, jumped in the gubernatorial election to replace three-term Alabama Governor George Wallace (D), who was not eligible to succeed himself to seek a fourth consecutive term. Facing James in the general election was H. Guy Hunt (R), who didn't stand a chance at all!
Fob James (D): 551,786 (72.6%)✔
H. Guy Hunt (R): 196,963 (25.9%)
DEMOCRATIC HOLD.

*Alaska: Incumbent Alaska Governor Jay Hammond (R) easily defeated three opponents: former Alaska Governor Wally Hickel (I/Write-In), Chancey Croft (D) and Tom Kelly (I) by double digits.
Jay Hammond (R-incumbent): 49,580 (39.1%)✔
Wally Hickel (I/Write-In): 33,555 (26.4%)
Chancey Croft (D): 25,656 (20.2%)
Tom Kelly (I): 15,656 (12.3%)
REPUBLICAN HOLD .

*Arizona: Following the sudden death of then-Arizona Governor Wesley Bolin (D) on March 4, 1978, the Arizona Governorship was passed to then-Arizona State Attorney General Bruce Babbitt (D). Babbitt sought a full four-year term and faced off against conservative firebrand Evan Mecham (R), the millionaire automobile dealer. Despite back and forth skirmishes, Babbitt defeated Mecham with less difficulty.
Bruce Babbitt (D-incumbent): 282,605 (52.5%)✔
Evan Mecham (R): 241,093 (44.8%)
DEMOCRATIC HOLD.

*Arkansas (Open): In the Natural State, Arkansas State Attorney General Bill Clinton (D) won the Governorship easily trouncing his Republican opponent Lynn Lowe (R). You can bet Clinton will be one of the rising stars of the Democratic Party going forward.
Bill Clinton (D): 335,101 (63.36%)✔
Lynn Lowe (R): 193,746 (36.64%)
DEMOCRATIC HOLD.

*California: Fresh off his Democratic Party response speech to President Rockefeller's 1977 State of the Union Address including an unsuccessful campaign for the Democratic Party nomination for President in 1976, popular California Governor Jerry Brown (D) trounced California State Attorney General Evelle J. Younger (R) in a landslide victory, which will likely put Brown as one of the potential contenders for the Presidency in 1980.
Jerry Brown (D-incumbent): 3,878,812 (56.05%)✔
Evelle J. Younger (R): 2,526,534 (36.50%)
DEMOCRATIC HOLD.

*Colorado: Incumbent Colorado Governor Richard Lamm (D) won reelection very handily in a landslide victory.
Dick Lamm (D-incumbent): 483,985 (58.76%)✔
Ted L. Strickland (R): 317,292 (38.53%)
DEMOCRATIC HOLD.

COMING UP THIS WEEK IN CHAPTER 5: Part II of the 1978 Midterm elections covering the US State/Territory Governorships.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

1978 MIDTERMS: US STATE/TERRITORY GOVERNORSHIPS (PART II)
*Connecticut: Incumbent Connecticut Governor Ella Grasso (D) won her fifth overall statewide election (she won three terms as Connecticut Secretary of State before serving in the US House of Representatives, eventually winning the Governorship in 1974), easily throttling US Rep. Ronald Sarasin (R-CT) by double digits.
Ella Grasso (D-incumbent): 613,109 (59.15%)✔
Ronald Sarasin (R): 422,316 (40.74%)
DEMOCRATIC HOLD.

*Florida (Open): Over in the Sunshine State, State Senator Bob Graham (D) kept the Governor's Mansion in Democratic control as he defeated Jack Eckerd (R) very handily for the right to succeed popular Florida Governor Reubin Askew (D) ,who was term limited from succeeding himself.
Bob Graham (D): 1,406,580 (55.59%)✔
Jack Eckerd (R): 1,23,888 (44.41%)
DEMOCRATIC HOLD.

*Georgia: Incumbent Georgia Governor George Busbee (D) made history becoming the first Georgia Governor to succeed himself winning reelection overwhelmingly defeating Atlanta City Councilman Rodney Cook (R) in a massive landslide victory.
George Busbee (D-incumbent): 534,572 (80.7%)✔
Rodney Cook (R): 128,139 (19.3%)
DEMOCRATIC HOLD.

*Hawaii: Meanwhile over in the Aloha State, incumbent Hawaii Governor George Ariyoshi (D) has been reelected defeating Republican challenger John Leopold (R).
George Ariyoshi (D-incumbent): 153,394 (54.5%)✔
John Leopold (R): 124,610 (44.3%)
DEMOCRATIC HOLD.

*Idaho: When then-Idaho Governor Cecil Andrus (D) resigned to become US Secretary of the Interior under popular US President Nelson Rockefeller, then-Idaho Lieutenant Governor John Evans (D) ascended to the Governorship by finishing out the remainder of Andrus' second term. Facing Republican challenger Allan Larsen (R) in the 1978 Idaho gubernatorial election, Evans easily won his first full four-year term by double digits.
John Evans (D-incumbent): 169,540 (58.75%)✔
Allan Larsen (R): 114,149 (39.56%)
DEMOCRATIC HOLD.

*Illinois: Fresh off of a historic landslide victory in 1976, Illinois Governor James R. "Big Jim" Thompson (R) sought reelection, where he faced off against Illinois State Comptroller Michael J. Balkalis (D). Illinoisans rewarded Thompson with another resounding victory, keeping the Illinois Executive Mansion in Springfield under Republican control.
James R. "Big Jim" Thompson (R-incumbent): 1,859,684 (59.0%)✔
Michael J. Balkalis (D): 1,263,134 (40.1%)
REPUBLICAN HOLD.

*Iowa: History was made in the Hawkeye State as four-term Iowa Governor Robert D. Ray (R) handily defeated Democratic challenger Jerome Fitzgerald (D), which made Ray the first Iowa Governor to win a fifth consecutive term.
Robert D. Ray (R-incumbent): 491,713 (58.3%)✔
Jerome Fitzgerald (D): 345,519 (41.0%)
REPUBLICAN HOLD.

*Kansas: Over in the Sunflower State, John W. Carlin (D) narrowly defeated incumbent Kansas Governor Robert F. Bennett (R) by less than 15,000 votes.
John W. Carlin (D): 363,835 (49.4%)✔
Robert F. Bennett (R-incumbent): 348,015 (47.3%)
DEMOCRATIC GAIN .

*Maine (Open): Joseph Brennan (D) faced off against two opponents: Linwood Palmer (R) and Herman Franklin (I). Brennan emerged victorious in this entertaining three-way gubernatorial election by double digits.
Joseph Brennan (D): 176,493 (47.80%)✔
Linwood Palmer (R): 126,862 (34.36%)
Herman Franklin (I): 65,889 (17.84%)
DEMOCRATIC GAIN .

*Maryland (Open): Back in the Old Line State, State Senator Harry Hughes (D) handily trounced former United States Senator J. Glenn Beall, Jr., (R-MD) in the battle to succeed outgoing Maryland Governor Marvin Mandel (D).
Harry Hughes (D): 705,910 (70.62%)✔
J. Glenn Beall, Jr., (R): 293,635 (29.38%)
DEMOCRATIC HOLD.

COMING UP IN CHAPTER 5: PART III of the 1978 Midterm elections covering the US/Territory Governorships.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

1978 MIDTERMS: US STATE/TERRITORY GOVERNORSHIPS (PART III)

*Massachusetts (Open): Bay Staters were surprised when Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis (D) was defeated narrowly in the Democratic Gubernatorial primary election, losing to conservative Democrat Edward King (D), who went on to defeat Francis W. Hatch, Jr., (R) in the November general election.
Edward King (D): 1,030,294 (52.51%)✔
Francis W. Hatch, Jr., (R): 926,072 (47.19%)
DEMOCRATIC HOLD .

*Michigan: Popular incumbent Michigan Governor William Milliken (R), who ascended to the Governorship upon the resignation of three-term Michigan Governor George Romney (R) on January 22, 1969 to become US Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under then-US President Richard Nixon's first term, won his first full four-year term in 1970 and was reelected to a second full four-year term in 1974 despite the nationwide backlash over Watergate; Milliken handily defeated William Fitzgerald (D) by double digits, winning a third full four-year term. There's growing likelihood on Milliken seeking a fourth full four-year term in 1982.
William Milliken (R-incumbent): 1,628,485 (57.39%)✔
William Fitzgerald (D): 1,237,256 (40.19%)
REPUBLICAN HOLD.

*Minnesota: We're back in the Land of 10,000 Lakes: US Rep. Al Quie (R-MN) defeated incumbent Minnesota Governor Rudy Perpich (D), who was seeking his first full four-year term.
Al Quie (R): 830,019 (52.35%)✔
Rudy Perpich (D-incumbent): 718,244 (45.30%)
REPUBLICAN GAIN.

*Nebraska (Open): Charles Thorne (R) has defeated Nebraska Lieutenant Governor Gerald T. Whelman (D) in the open gubernatorial election to succeed outgoing Nebraska Governor J. James Exon (D), who was overwhelmingly elected to the United States Senate.
Charles Thorne (R): 275,473 (55.9%)✔
Gerald T. Whelman (D): 216,754 (44.3%)
REPUBLICAN GAIN.

*Nevada (Open): Over in the Silver State, Nevada State Attorney General Robert List (R) handily defeated Robert E. Rose (D) which had been dubbed "Battle of the Roberts".
Robert List (R): 108,097 (56.2%)✔
Robert E. Rose (D): 76,361 (39.7%)
REPUBLICAN GAIN .

*New Hampshire: The New Hampshire Democratic Party united behind Hugh Gallen (D), who knocked off three-term incumbent New Hampshire Governor Meldrim Thompson, Jr., (R), who caused controversy when he praised and staunchly supported the reviled Apartheid government of South Africa.
Hugh Gallen (D): 133,133 (49.38%)✔
Meldrim Thompson, Jr., (R-incumbent): 122,464 (45.43%)
DEMOCRATIC GAIN .

*New Mexico (Open): Over in the Land of Enchantment, former New Mexico Governor Bruce King (D) defeated Joe Skeen (R) in a hotly-contested campaign; King returns to the Governor's Mansion for a second non-consecutive term.
Bruce King (D): 174,631 (50.5%)✔
Joe Skeen (R): 170,848 (49.4%)
DEMOCRATIC HOLD.

*New York State: Incumbent New York State Governor Hugh Carey (D) held off several primary challengers including a triggered Lieutenant Governor. Despite the hype of a close election, New Yorkers voted in returning Carey back to the New York State Executive Mansion in Albany with a renewed mandate. Almost immediately, there's speculation about Carey running for the Presidency in 1980 (more on him later in the timeline).
Hugh Carey (D-incumbent): 2,629,373 (56.0%)✔
Perry B. Dureyea, Jr., (R): 1,141,404 (40.3%)
DEMOCRATIC HOLD.

COMING UP SOON IN CHAPTER 5: Part IV of the 1978 Midterm elections covering the US State/Territory Governorships.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

1978 MIDTERMS: US STATE/TERRITORY GOVERNORSHIPS (PART IV)

*Ohio: In the Buckeye State, incumbent Ohio Governor Jim Rhodes (R) faced off against Dick Celeste (D) which made the gubernatorial election one of the closely watched in the nation. Like 1974 when Rhodes narrowly defeated then-Ohio Governor James Gilligan (D) in a stunner. Following weeks of statewide recounts, Rhodes secured a historic fourth term.
Jim Rhodes (R-incumbent): 1,402,167 (49.31%)✔
Dick Celeste (D): 1,354,631 (47.64%)
REPUBLICAN HOLD.

*Oklahoma (Open): Four-term Oklahoma Lieutenant Governor George Nigh (D) held off a vigorous challenge from Ron Shotts (R), keeping the Oklahoma Governor's Mansion in Democratic control.
George Nigh (D): 402,240 (51.7%)✔
Ron Shotts (R): 367,055 (47.2%)
DEMOCRATIC HOLD.

*Oregon: In the Pacific Northwest, Republicans regained Mahonia Hall (Residence of the Oregon Governor) with State Senator Victor Atiyeh (R) defeated incumbent Oregon Governor Robert W. Straub (D).
Victor Atiyeh (R): 498,452 (54.9%)✔
Robert W. Straub (D-incumbent): 409,411 (45.1%)
REPUBLICAN GAIN.

*Pennsylvania (Open): The Keystone State's gubernatorial election in the battle to replace outgoing Pennsylvania Governor Milton Shapp (D), who was prevented from succeeding himself, unveiled large cast of characters on both political parties.

Endorsed by President Rockefeller and Vice President Holton, Dick Thornburgh (R) ,who also got the endorsements from AFL-CIO and the NAACP including winning 58% of African Americans resulted in Thornburgh's narrow victory.
Dick Thornburgh (R): 1,966,042 (52.4%)✔
Peter F. Faherty (D): 1,737,888 (46.4%)
REPUBLICAN GAIN.

*Rhode Island: Incumbent Rhode Island Governor J. Joseph Garrahy (D) easily wins reelection to a second two-year term trouncing Lincoln Almond (R) in a landslide victory.
J. Joseph Garrahy (D-incumbent): 197,386 (62.79%)✔
Lincoln Almond (R): 96,596 (30.73%)
DEMOCRATIC HOLD.

*South Carolina (Open): State Senator Richard Riley (D) throttles former US Rep. Edward Lynn Young (R-SC) regaining the Governor's Mansion back for the Democrats as outgoing South Carolina Governor James Edwards (R) is term limited from succeeding himself for a second term.
Richard Riley (D): 384,898 (61.3%)✔
Edward Lynn Young (R): 236,946 (37.7%)
DEMOCRATIC GAIN

*South Dakota (Open): South Dakota State Attorney General Bill Janklow (R) wins the Governorship in a landslide victory defeating Roger D. McKellips (D).
Bill Janklow (R): 147,116 (56.6%)✔
Roger D. McKellips (D): 112,679 (43.4%)
REPUBLICAN GAIN

*Tennessee (Open): Due to strong backlash from Tennesseans over corruption scandals, mismanagement of the pardons engulfing the administration of the outgoing Tennessee Governor Ray Blanton (D) which resulted in Blanton not seeking reelection to a second term due to the likelihood of losing badly in a heavily-crowded Democratic primary.

Republicans quickly united behind Lamar Alexander (R) who had lost to Blanton in 1974. With Blanton leaving the Governor's Mansion in disgrace after four chaotic years and the Tennessee Democratic Party demoralised, Alexander won the gubernatorial election very handily.
Lamar Alexander (R): 661,959 (55.8%)✔
Jake Butcher (D): 523,495 (43.4%)
REPUBLICAN GAIN.

COMING UP IN CHAPTER 5: I'll be working on Part V of the 1978 Midterm elections covering the US State/Territory Governorships.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

1978 MIDTERMS: US STATE/TERRITORY GOVERNORSHIPS (PART V)

*Texas (Open): Politics inside the Lone Star State went completely crazy when Texas Governor Dolph Briscoe (D)'s reelection bid for a third term was stopped narrowly by his arch-rival Texas State Attorney General John Hill (D) in the June 4, 1978 Democratic Party Primary Runoff election. Hill's shocking upset victory angered majority of conservatives and the business establishment including members of Briscoe's family, who announced their endorsements of former US Defense Secretary William P. Clements, Jr., (R) ,who quickly united the entire Texas Republican Party behind him.

At first Clements trailed by more than 25 percentage points in polling surveys. However as the campaign continued during the six months following the primaries (in the case of the Texas Democratic Party, five months following the runoff), Clements went aggressively on the full-scale offense launching blistering attacks against Hill by belittling his record as Texas State Attorney General, including tying him to the unpopular Democratic-controlled Congress in Washington, DC. Clements also won endorsements from several conservative Democrats such as former Texas Governors Allan Shivers (D), John Connally (D; later R four years after leaving office), Preston Smith (D); former Texas State Attorneys General John Ben Sheppard (D), Will Wilson (D; later R after leaving office); Waggoner Carr (D).

Results on Election Night showed the gubernatorial election too close to call.
William P. Clements, Jr., (R): 1,173,679 (49.5%)
John Hill (D): 1,163,888 (49.1%)
TOO CLOSE TO CALL: STATEWIDE RECOUNT MORE LIKELY TO DECIDE 1978 TEXAS GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION.

*Vermont: Incumbent Vermont Governor Richard Snelling (R) easily won reelection defeating Democratic challenger Edwin Granai (D).
Richard Snelling (R-incumbent): 78,181 (62.8%)✔
Edwin Granai (D): 42,482 (34.1%)
REPUBLICAN HOLD.

*Wisconsin: Republicans picked up another governorship with Lee Dreyfus (R) knocking off incumbent Wisconsin Governor Martin J. Schreiber (D), who was seeking his first full four-year term.
Lee Dreyfus (R): 816,056 (54.37%)✔
Martin J. Schreiber (D-incumbent): 673,813 (44.90%)
REPUBLICAN GAIN.

*Wyoming: Incumbent Wyoming Governor Edgar Herschler (D) narrowly defeated John Ostlund (R) securing another four years in the Governor's Mansion.
Edgar Herschler (D-incumbent): 69,972 (50.86%)✔
John Ostlund (R): 67,595 (49.14%)
DEMOCRATIC HOLD.

*Guam: Republicans picked up another governorship in Guam, where Paul Calvo (R) defeated incumbent Guam Governor Ricardo Bordallo (D).
Paul Calvo (R): 13,649 (52.12%)✔
Ricardo Bordallo (D-incumbent): 540 (47.86%)
REPUBLICAN GAIN.

*US Virgin Islands: Upon the sudden death of USVI Governor Cyril King (ICM) in January 1978, the Governorship was passed to then-USVI Lieutenant Governor Juan Francisco Luis (ICM), who won his first full four-year term defeating former US Del. Ron de Lugo (D-USVI).
Juan Francisco Luis (ICM-incumbent): 10,978 (59.19%)✔
Ron de Lugo (D): 7,568 (40.81%)
ICM HOLD.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

@The Immortal Watch Dog @WolfBear @Buba @Tiamat @bintananth @AlphaOmega @almostinsane @Simonbob @prinCZess

Stay tuned for more details of the 1978 Midterm elections including the long, dragged-out recount of the 1978 Texas Gubernatorial election.

Plus lots and lots of more Personal PoV's 😎

 

[Sergeant Foley]

BREAKING NEWS ALERT: TEXAS GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION UNDERGOING STATEWIDE RECOUNT CANVASSING

*Wednesday, November 8, 1978: Texas Secretary of State Steven C. Oaks during a press conference at the Texas State Capitol in downtown Austin, addressed reporters on the uncertainty of who won the 1978 Texas Gubernatorial election between former US Defense Secretary William P. Clements, Jr., (R) and Texas State Attorney General John Hill (D).

Oaks said the following: "Good afternoon fellow Texans. At 1:00 PM CST, I ordered the election administrators in all 254 counties to begin conducting the full statewide canvassing of votes effective immediately. There has been some speculation as to why there hasn't been an official winner in the gubernatorial election.

Now I cannot promise that this statewide recount will take a few weeks or even a month, but I can strongly assure all of you including 16 million Texans that the full in-depth canvassing of votes will be conducted with dignity, integrity, honor and transparently. Once again, I cannot elaborate any further."

INFIGHTING INSIDE TEXAS DEMOCRATIC PARTY CONTINUES

Despite the majority of Texas Democrats winning across the Lone Star State including those such as United States Senator Mark W. White, Jr., (D-TX), Texas Lieutenant Governor Bill Hobby (D), incoming Texas State Attorney General Price Daniel, Jr., (D), Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts Bob Bullock (D), Texas Commissioner of the General Land Office Bob Armstrong (D), Texas Agriculture Commissioner Reagan Brown (D) ,etc., infighting following the bitter Democratic primary runoff between Briscoe and Hill has led to personal insults, snide comments slandering Hill's supporters including outright snubs.

Liberals complain that conservative Democrats refused to campaign aggressively for Hill during the homestretch. Asked if party infighting will hamper their prospects in future elections, Lieutenant Governor Hobby laughed it off "You know how bitter primaries are, sometimes folks who don't get their way usually take awhile to calm down and eventually get over it. That's how democracy works!"

 

[Sergeant Foley]

BREAKING NEWS ALERTS: MASS MURDER SUICIDE IN GUYANA; DETAILS COMING IN.

*Saturday, November 18, 1978: Controversial so-called minister Jim Jones leads his People's Temple cult of followers in a grisly horrific disgusting mass-murder-suicide in the makeshift town of Jonestown, Guyana.

Before the horrific incident, reports detailed US Rep. Leo J. Ryan (D-CA) including several staff members of his congressional office as well as NBC News cameracrew members were gunned down by Jones' People's Temple thugs via machine gun as Ryan and his entourage were about to board the airplane to leave.

The death toll claimed 918 lives overall; 909 of them at Jonestown itself including over 270 children. Depending on whom you asked: the reviled Jones commits suicide in some location on the grounds.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

BREAKING NEWS ALERTS: MILLIKEN DECLARES HE WILL SEEK REELECTION TO FOURTH FULL TERM IN 1982; WOULD BE NATION'S LONGEST-SERVING GOVERNOR BY 1987.

Milliken interviewed inside his Capitol office at the Michigan Statehouse in Lansing.

*Monday, November 20, 1978: During an interview with Michigan Governor William Grawn Milliken by the Detroit Free-Press inside his Capitol office at the Michigan Statehouse in Lansing, Milliken discussed his recent reelection victory thirteen days earlier. He was asked if he would be a potential Cabinet Secretary in the Rockefeller administration, "No there is no office beyond Governor. My focus is serving the people of the great State of Michigan well to the fullest abilities."

During the interview, Milliken confirmed that he will be seeking reelection to a fourth full four-year term in 1982 which if completed, would make him the nation's longest-serving US State Governor by January 1, 1987. Already on track to become Michigan's longest-serving Governor, Milliken joked "Who knows if Michiganders love the job I'm doing, I might stick around by 1991."

Milliken has held the Governorship since January 22, 1969 when then-Michigan Governor George Romney (R) resigned to become then-President Richard Nixon's US Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; Milliken has since won three full terms in 1970, 1974 and again in 1978.

COMING UP THIS WEEK IN CHAPTER 5: Statewide recount canvassing officially completed in the 1978 Texas Gubernatorial election.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

BREAKING NEWS ALERTS: STATEWIDE RECOUNT CANVASSING FINISHED IN TEXAS GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION .

*Wednesday, November 22, 1978: On the afternoon of November 22nd, the election administrators in all 254 counties reported their full canvassing to the Texas Secretary of State's office in Austin.

It was 15 days after the election since it wasn't clear who won the 1978 Gubernatorial election on November 8th due to serious uncertainty. Avoiding conflicts of interests: on Wednesday, November 8th, outgoing Texas Governor Dolph Briscoe (D) and Texas Secretary of State Steven C. Oaks both recused themselves in order to reassure Texans they wouldn't be interfering with the full statewide canvassing of votes.

With the Thanksgiving holiday break underway, everyone was eager to get with their families. After rigorous, hardworking efforts in double-checking ballots, canvassing all of the votes by making sure every vote was counted, it was finally time to announce the findings. Going back to the afternoon of November 22nd, Secretary Oaks during a press conference confirmed the winner of the nationally-watched Texas gubernatorial election is..........


MAJOR BREAKING NEWS ALERT: FORMER US DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM P. CLEMENTS, JR., OFFICIALLY DECLARED THE WINNER OF THE 1978 TEXAS GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION.

Former US Secretary of Defense William P. Clements, Jr., beaming with joy during press conference at the Texas State Capitol in downtown Austin after being declared the winner of the 1978 Texas gubernatorial election.

*Clements becomes the first Republican to occupy the Texas Governor's Mansion since Reconstruction ending 104 years of Democratic control.
*National Republicans inspired by Clements' upset victory with major ramifications in future elections.
*Texas politics turned upside down with Clements victory.
*President Rockefeller and Vice President Holton congratulate Governor-elect Clements; pledge cooperation.
*Infighting continues inside Texas Democratic Party.

Former US Secretary of Defense William Perry Clements, Jr., (R) , pulled off one of the biggest upsets in Texas politics: winning the Texas Governor's Mansion by such a narrow margin with just 16,860 votes (0.71%) plus putting statewide politics in the Lone Star State upside down with huge ramifications going forward. Clements, aged 61., will be taking office as the Lone Star State's 42nd Governor on Tuesday, January 16, 1979 succeeding outgoing Governor Briscoe, who leaves office after six years in the Texas Governor's Mansion.

Clements makes history as the first Republican to occupy the Texas Governor's Mansion since Reconstruction, but he also faces a heavily Democratic-controlled Texas State Legislature and due to the fact majority of the down-ballot statewide offices are controlled by Democrats, Governor-elect Clements will be the only Republican statewide officeholder in the Lone Star State.

Offering their congratulations to Clements: outgoing Governor Briscoe and his wife, Texas First Lady Janey Briscoe, both of whom offer to give Clements and his wife, Rita a tour of the Texas Governor's Mansion; reports confirm the Clementses accepted the offer and will be meeting with them soon.

*1978 Texas Gubernatorial Election:
William P. Clements, Jr., (R): 1,183,839 (49.96%)✔
John Hill (D): 1,166,979 (49.25%)
REPUBLICAN GAIN.

HILL CONCEDES 1978 TEXAS GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION

Texas State Attorney General John Hill (D) addressing supporters during concession speech.

Following the full statewide canvassing of votes in the 1978 Texas gubernatorial election which resulted in Clements' victory, Texas State Attorney General John Hill (D) addressed his supporters in a hotel ballroom in downtown Austin where he delivered his concession speech: "The people of Texas have spoken, former Defense Secretary Clements has won the election and I humbly accept the people's decision. It is my hope that Governor-elect Clements will be a Governor for all Texans not just those who voted for him!"

COMING SOON: Texas Democrats jockeying for position and plotting for 1982.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

Dolph
1:45 PM CST, Saturday, November 25, 1978
Briscoe Family Ranch
Uvalde, Texas

Governor Briscoe during a press conference in the Reception Room of the Governor's office at the Texas State Capitol in downtown Austin from 1976.
​

With his Governorship winding down in less than two months on January 16, 1979, Texas Governor Dolph Briscoe, Jr., (D) was reminiscing about his administration's accomplishments during his six years as the Lone Star State's 41st Governor. Upon his election in 1972, he presided during a strong period of reforms inside Texas state government as the population of the Lone Star State boomed including commerce.

With his political career all but over, Briscoe was looking forward going back in the ranching and banking businesses in his hometown of Uvalde, where he was born and raised considering most of his personal belongings and effects were being moved out of the Texas Governor's Mansion in Austin with U-haul trucks driving then back to his ranch.

It was also a time of reflection with family: Dolph, his beloved wife and close political adviser, Janey; their three children: Janey Briscoe Marmion, Dolph Briscoe, III and Cele Briscoe huddled together during the Thanksgiving holiday break at the Briscoe Family Ranch in Uvalde.

Still furious over Dolph being denied a third term in the Democratic Gubernatorial primary runoff election on June 4th, some of Dolph's family members took great pleasure in watching Hill choking to Clements in the general election due to majority of conservative Democrats bolting to support Clements in retaliation from that bitter primary loss.

It was time for one of the 1-on-1 in-depth interviews with the Governor conducted by Dave Ward of ABC 13 KTRK-TV Houston, who was invited by the Governor as part of Briscoe's detailing of accomplishments and what the future holds. Briscoe strongly defended his administration's accomplishments including achievements ranging from balancing the state budget, lowering taxes for taxpayers, preventing massive regulation as well as pushing aggressive reforms of state government. There was those, who wanted Briscoe to seek his old job in 1982, but the heart wasn't in it due to fears of another primary loss.

Little did anyone know that Briscoe would make a comeback in Texas statewide politics in a different form in terms of being a United States Senator.....

 

[Sergeant Foley]

@The Immortal Watch Dog @WolfBear @bintananth @Buba @Tiamat
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Coming up this week, I'll be slowly working on the installment on the assassination of San Francisco Mayor George Moscone (D).

Be on the lookout for it 😎

 

[Sergeant Foley]

Moscone
10:45 AM PST, Monday, November 27, 1978
San Francisco City Hall
San Francisco, California

San Francisco Mayor George Moscone and San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk during happier times.
​

The events that instigated the fateful day on November 27th begin like this: In order to avoid context voter approval of California's statewide initiative, Proposition 13 which was approved by the voters in June 1978. During the summer: there was a citywide charter amendment raising the salaries of City Supervisors (due to the fact the members of the Board of Supervisors were part-time employees in city government). Now lets' go back to how a charter amendment led to the events I will detail slowly....

First, Daniel James White, who was raised by Irish American working-class parents in the Visitacion Valley neighborhood of San Francisco. After graduating from Wilson High School, where he was the valedictorian of his graduating class and immediately enlisted into the United States Army, where he served from 1965 to 1971; White served with the 101st Airborne Division during the Vietnam War conflict from 1969 to 1970 and was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant. Following his honorably discharge from the United States Army, White moved to Anchorage, Alaska by working as a security guard at AJ Diamond High School in 1972 and decided to return back to San Francisco with the goal of serving in law enforcement by becoming a police officer, but allegedly quit the force following his report of one of his law enforcement colleagues for aggressive beating of a suspect, who was already handcuffed.

Immediately, White joined the San Francisco Police Department, where he rescued a woman and her baby from a seventh-floor apartment at the Geneva Towers. This incident was covered by the San Francisco Chronicle and quickly the city's major newspapers referred to him as "an all-American boy" due to his youthful athletic looks.

These achievements during his time in the San Francisco Police Department led to White to seek political office by running for a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors representing the 8th District and was elected in November 1977. Now at this time, all 11 members of the Board of Supervisors were elected by districts and not via At-Large as previously. Contributing his political support consisted of both the police and firefighter unions (White also served as a firefighter with the San Francisco Fire Department) and middle-class San Franciscans; District 8 consisted of Anglo, middle-class sections which some political observers viewed as strongly hostile to the growing LGBTQ community of San Francisco.

Besides White being the first firefighter and police officer to serve on the Board of Supervisors: others included the first openly-gay person (Harvey Milk), first Chinese American, first unwed mother, first African American woman being elected in November 1977. All of the Supervisors were sworn into office on January 9, 1978 with Dianne Feinstein (future United States Senator) serving as President of the Board of Supervisors. Due to the citywide charter preventing Supervisors from holding different city jobs simultaneously, so in order to avoid conflict of interests: White resigned from his high-paying job with the San Francisco Fire Department and it was during this time White attempted to supplementing his $9,600.00 salary on the Board of Supervisors by working with a food concession stand on Pier 39.

Now when it came to business development issues, the 11-member Board of Supervisors had been split 6-5, voting in favor of pro-growth advocates including White against those who pushed for neighborhood-oriented approach that had been favored by Mayor Moscone. Just when you assumed disagreement among the board members was just politics over policy, you would be sadly mistaken!

Hostility between several of the members included White sparring with Milk and Carol Ruth Silver. Much of Moscone's neighborhood revitalization agenda as well as increasing city support programs had been blocked or modified by the business-oriented agenda by the pro-growth majority of the Board of Supervisors. When Milk voted in favor of placing a group home within White's district, tension between the two quickly escalated and this is where things were going downward from there......

Realizing that he couldn't be able to serve his constituents properly in the 8th District, White abruptly announced his resignation from the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. The fallout of his resignation renewed calls to amending the city charter of raising the salaries of the Supervisors, Supervisors Carol Ruth Silver pushed a new proposal in recognizing White's situation; but resigning from the board also left open a vacancy which would be filled via appointment by Mayor Moscone. News of the possible appointment of White's replacement angered constituents of the 8th District including those of the city's business establishment, because they realized Moscone might appoint a liberal board member for the conservative district.

Following the horrific Jonestown mass-murder-suicide of November 18th, the legality over who would replace White on the Board of Supervisors was delayed for several days. Due to strong lobbying from the liberal board members such as White and Silver, they urged Mayor Moscone not to reappoint White back to his seat on the Board of Supervisors; things got to head when Milk implored Moscone not to do it during a closed door meeting at the Mayor's Office inside San Francisco City Hall and in response, Moscone told Milk "I'll make my decision in the morning during a press conference."

On the morning of November 27th, White was enraged upon finding out that Moscone wasn't going to reappoint him back to his seat on the Board of Supervisor. He was determined to get even and in his mind, he had several politicians whom he would unleash his violent rage on for what he perceived as blocking his return on the board: Mayor Moscone, Supervisors Milk and Silver including State Assemblyman (future Calfornia State Assembly Speaker from 1981-1995 and Mayor of San Francisco from 1996-2004) Willie Lewis Brown, Jr., which White blamed both Silver and Brown for lobbying the Mayor of not reappointing him.

Following getting dressed in a three-piece suit and being driven by a former aide to San Francisco City Hall: realizing there were security measures such as metal detectors, White climbed through the first-floor window on the side of City Hall by carrying a Smith & Wesson 36; .38 caliber revolver including 10 rounds of ammunition. By successfully entering through the window, one of the building engineers asked what was he doing there to which White responded "I misplaced my keys and need access to City Hall." He easily avoided the installed metal detectors.

Upon arriving at the grand Mayor's office, White asked for a meeting with the Mayor and Moscone's secretary told him "The Mayor is in the middle of another meeting, so you'll have to wait until he's finished with his original meeting." The meeting in process was about Mayor Moscone meeting with Assemblyman Brown. With crazy plans lurking inside his head, White thought about barging inside and shooting both politicians right there on the spot as well as anyone else who interfered.

Mayor Moscone had made the decision by appointing Don Horanzy, who was a more liberal federal housing official to the Board of Supervisors representing the 8th District; the press conference was scheduled for 11:30 AM PST; advance copies had been sent to the city's major newspapers with late editions so they could begin writing their stories. But what there's more to the events about to ensue.....

Once Brown exited through another door, White entered the Mayor's outer office; White once again asked the Mayor to reappoint him to the Board of Supervisors, but the Mayor refused telling him "You made the decision to resign. So you cannot have it both ways of which decision you want to make!" Almost immediately, the conversation got ugly quickly as a heated argument ensued over the pending appointment of Horanzy. "You cannot do this to me!" White angirly raged as Moscone, who wanted to avoid a public scene as several others were wondering what was going on, suggested they talk inside a private lounge adjacent to the Mayor's office in order to avoid being overheard by those waiting outside.

It was 10:45 AM PST when Moscone lit a cigarette and began pouring two drinks, on the assumption White would want to have a drink to calm down. Moscone's last words were "I understand about the situation regarding your family" when turning around to see White pointing his revolver at him: BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!

White shot Mayor Moscone several times: Moscone was hit in the shoulder, chest, one of the bullets tearing his lung. Moscone quickly fell to the floor; White then approached the wounded San Francisco Mayor, pointed his gun 6 inches (150 mm) from Moscone's head and opened fire again: BANG! BANG! striking additional bullets into Moscone's earlobes killing him instantly. White was reloading his revolver before leaving the Mayor's office through the private exit.....

"Moscone that hypocritical shit! FUCK HIM. I've got more people to kill next!" White thought to himself, he hurriedly walked across City Hall going towards the shared office space of Board of Supervisors, inside which each of the 11 Supervisors had an enclosed office cubicle and desk. Board of Supervisors President Dianne Feinstein noticed White running past her office and called after him "Where are you going Dan?". He responded, "I have something to do first."

Supervisor Milk was speaking to one of the radio reporters inside his office, but was interrupted when White knocked on the door asking Milk to step inside his former office for a moment. Milk decided to join him in the former office, which was a FATAL mistake on his part!

Closing the door of his former office and positioning himself between the doorway and Milk in order to prevent him from leaving, there was a brief conversation when at 10:55 AM PST, White pulled out his revolver as Milk's reaction realizing something was wrong replied "No!" as he put out his right hand to protect himself. White opened fire BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! White's rapid firing of the bullets struck Milk in the right wrist, twice more in the chest, then fired a fourth additional shot hitting Milk in the head killing him instantly following by a fifth shot into his skull.

Fleeing the scene to avoid being captured White left City Hall unchallenged before Feinstein entered the office to find Milk dead on the floor bleeding, she felt Milk's neck for a pulse, with her finger entering a bullet wound, realizing he was dead.

Chaos and pandemonium followed.......

 

[Sergeant Foley]

COMING SOON IN THE AMERICAN REPUBLIC
October 6, 1981: The ramifications of the assassination of Egyptian President Anwar Sadat

​

 

[Sergeant Foley]

*November 27, 1978: Shocking news out of San Francisco, California as confirmed television news reports detailed both San Francisco Mayor George Moscone (D) and Board Supervisor Harvey Milk (D) were both shot to death inside San Francisco City Hall by disgruntled former Supervisor Dan White.

*December 4, 1978: Board of Supervisors President Dianne Feinstein ascends to the Mayoralty succeeding the late San Francisco Mayor George Moscone, becoming the first female Mayor of San Francisco. She would defeat recall attempts during her 9 1/2 years in office and won full four-year terms in 1979 and again in 1983 serving until January 8, 1988.

*December 6, 1978: The Spanish Constitution officially restores the country's democratic government.

*December 13, 1978: US Vice President Linwood Holton goes on a five-nation tour in the Asian Pacific: Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, and the Philippines.

*December 16, 1978: 'The Mystery of Malvo' debuts in cinemas in Japan.

*December 22, 1978: The Argentine Republic begins Operation Soberania against Chile; however Argentinian forces quickly withdraw to avoid potential ugly deadly escalation.

*During an Oval Office Address to the Nation from the White House, US President Nelson Rockefeller spoke of the heartfelt meaning of Christmas and the dedication of doing community service including humanitarian projects throughout all 51 States and the US Territories. "As we close out 1978. A year of twists, turns, emotional events and lots of happiness we can always remember. I am strongly confident that the American people can overcome many obstacles stacked against us. We're all in this together!

Let's make 1979 the year of action." President and First Lady Rockefeller will be spending Christmas in the family quarters of the White House throughout the entire Christmas holiday break.

*December 23, 1978: US Secretary of State Malcolm Wilson is handling Middle East Peace Accord negotiations between Egypt and Israel. Spokespersons at the US State Department confirmed Wilson will also be making stopover visits to Saudi Arabia and Jordan.

*December 24, 1978: US Attorney General Edward Brooke announces the US Justice Department will decide on whether to pursue investigating corruption allegations against Louisiana Governor Edwin W. Edwards (D) in connection with the KoreaGate Scandal. Experts and analysts expecting Brooke to announce a final decision sometime following the Christmas holiday break.

*December 25, 1978: ABC Christmas Special is aired. US President Nelson Rockefeller and US First Lady Happy Rockefeller are interviewed by Frank Reynolds of ABC News inside the White House.

*December 26, 1978: The body of the late Pope John Paul I is secretly exhumed and taken to an unknown location, where a top secret autopdy is performed. It's unknown and classified on what they found; depending on whom you asked, another secretive embalming takes place. On 31 December 1978, the mummified embalmed body of the late Pontiff is secretly returned to Saint Peter's Basilica and entombed in the middle of the night.

*December 27, 1978: The Constitution of Spain is approved in a national referendum by the voters officially ending 40+ years of military dictatorship .

*December 28, 1978: Over in Iran: speculation swirling around health situation of Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlevi due to rumors the Shah had been diagnosed with lymphatic cancer.

The Rockefeller administration had been concerned about the growing number of riots, demonstrations strikes against the Shah. In order to reassure the Shah of backup contingency plans, US Treasury Secretary David Rockefeller flew to Tehran and offered advice on the situation. It is known that the Shah ordered the Iranian Army to aggressively crush all of the street demonstrators. During this time, special agents of the Shah engaged in a top secret mission by successfully killing exiled Ayatollah Khomeini in France: permanently neutralizing the main threat to the Shah's regime.

The rumored revolution against the Shah was stopped.....for now.

*December 29, 1978: Former US First Lady Betty Ford returned back to her home in Palm Springs, California following a long stay at a treatment center battling her fight against alcoholism.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

@The Immortal Watch Dog @WolfBear @bintananth @Buba @Tiamat

I'll be posting Sports Headlines of the 1977, 1978 College Football Seasons beginning next week.

Be on the lookout for these in Chapter 5.

PS: It'll be quite long