The Second Term of Gerald Ford (No Reagan) TL

[Republican Jim]

I'm gonna try my first timeline - Gerald Ford's 2nd Term - Without the primary challenge of Reagan.

COW PALACE - SAN FRANCISCO, CA. JULY 13 - JULY 16, 1964
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION

Actor Ronald Reagan speaks at the G.O.P. convention on behalf of Barry Goldwater. Reagan, suffering from an illness, isn't on top of his game and the speech isn't well recieved. Reagan looses interest in seeking public office and goes back to Hollywood eventually landing the role as Joe Mannix on the ABC TV show MANNIX.

California Governor Pat Brown is reelected in 1966.

MADISON SQUARE GARDEN - NYC, JULY 12 - JULY 15, 1976
DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION

Governor Jimmy Carter of Georgia wraps up the nomination and chooses Senator Walter Mondale of Minnesota. Governor Carter's speech is well recieved and heads out of the convention with the lead over President Ford.

KEMPER ARENA - KANSAS CITY, MO. AUGUST 16 - AUGUST 19, 1976
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION

Coming into the convention President Ford has got the nomination secured despite early primary victories by North Carolina Senator Jesse Helms. In a surprising move, the President has chosen to keep Vice President Nelson Rockefeller on the ticket much to the opposition of the Goldwater Republicans and the far right.

"We started this journey to bring America back in December of 1974 and we'll complete the journey on January 20, 1981." President Ford told convention to mixed reviews on the selection.

President Ford's speech was very well recieved and is being touted as the best of his Presidency. Between the convention speech and a small drop in the unemployment rate, President Ford has tightened the gap between him and Governor Carter.

[d32123]

Interesting, will follow.

[Peelitebkearns]

A potential Ford Victory (and it's longterm effects) has always interested me, will follow this.

Ford's second term will be interesting, he'll have many of the problems Carter had to deal with OTL and he's likely to have to pick another VP halfway through his own term.

Would also be interesting to know what films/TV shows Reagan ends up doing, if you can work that in atall.q

[historybuff]

An interesting idea.
Subscribed.
If I may give you suggestions?

[Republican Jim]

Originally Posted by historybuff

An interesting idea.
Subscribed.
If I may give you suggestions?

Of course - this is my first attempt at a timeline so anything helps.

[historybuff]

Not sure on cabinet posts, but for Iran, what if Montizari a the moderrate takes over after the Shah is overthrown? Not sure how this could happen.

[mkemp]

I'm not totally familiar with the politics of the time but I think Ford lost because Carter said, "I'll never lie to you," tarring Ford with the brush of Nixon.

[Whanztastic]

Originally Posted by historybuff

Not sure on cabinet posts, but for Iran, what if Montizari a the moderrate takes over after the Shah is overthrown? Not sure how this could happen.

Think it is possible with a continuing Ford administration -

Basically, no need to swap leadership during '84 means that the US is more on top of paying attention and a continued Ford administration would be a little more realist with the situation. They know the fall is coming so they pre-emp it and set up Montazeri while asking the Shah to step down.

[Republican Jim]

WALNUT STREET THEATER - PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVAINIA
SEPTEMBER 23, 1976
1st Presidential Debate

The two nominees square off in the first of three debates, and the first debates held in 16 years.


PRESIDENT FORD: We can create jobs by expanding the private sector, reducing federal taxes and holding the lid on federal spending. I intend to sign a tax reform bill that helps middle income famillies, plus puts a further limitation on federal spending.


GOVERNOR CARTER: The whole philosophy of the Republican Party, including my opponent's has been to pile on taxes for low-income people to take them off on the corporations.


On being questioned about his pardon for former President Nixon, President Ford stood by his decison citing that "in order give my 100% attention to the problems we faced in the economy, something had to be done about Watergate. It seemed to me that Mr. Nixon had been penalized enough by his resignation in disgrace and the need and necessity for me to concentrate on the problems of the country fully justified the action that I took."


Most American's feel that Governor Carter had the edge, but President Ford is still closing the gap between the two of them.

PALACE OF THE FINE ARTS - SAN FRANCISCO, CA
October 6, 1976
2nd Presidential Debate

Coming into the second debate of the election year, both men were confident about their perfromances in the first debate and were looking forward to debating international relations and foreign policy on this evening.

GOVERNOR CARTER: When it comes to foreign policy, Secretary Kissinger has been the President and many countries around the world view America as weak and we are no longer respected like we used to be. As President, I'll restore that respect around the world.

PRESIDENT FORD: The Governor is speaking in broad generalities. I always, and the American people know this, consult with my cabinet on issues pertaining to our nation. I assure every American that the United States is still the most respected nation in the world and always will be under a Ford Administration. Every American has to ask themselves who is better suited to stand up to the Soviet Union? And I'm confident that most American's will choose Jerry Ford.

The audience erupts with cheers and applause after Ford's statement - the rest of the debate goes much like the first one, only the pendulum has swung in the way of the President.

"We weren't as prepared as President Ford was tonight and it showed. We need show to the people of America that we're the best answer for America and that cannot happen with mediocre performances in the debates." Governor Carter told Sam Donaldson of ABC

A new poll shows President Ford has tightened the gap:
Governor Carter: 45%
President Ford: 43%

RONALD REAGAN replaces Franklin Cover as Tom Willis on the CBS hit The Jefferson's and gets a part in the movie The Shootist starring his good buddy John Wayne and Ron Howard.

COLLEGE OF WILLIAM AND MARY - PHI BETA CAPA HALL- WILLIAMSBURG, VA
October 22, 1976
FINAL PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE

Coming into the thrid and final debate, President Ford has closed the gap to 2% and the Ford Camp has been given new life. The third debate was the least watched of the three debates with many of the viewers feeling Ford had the edge over Carter.

PRESIDENT FORD: We need to make the necesarry sacrifices to put a lid on Federal Spending so we can have a long overdue and totally justified tax decrease for the middle income people.

GOVERNOR CARTER: The major effort that we must put forward is to put our people back to work. I think we could call together, with strong leadership in the White House, business, industry and labor, and say let's have voluntary price restraint; let's lay down some guidelines so we don't have continuing inflation.

[Peelitebkearns]

Great update, looking forward to the election itself.

[SiddFinch1]

Interesting....subscribing

Not sure about Reagan as Tom Willis- wouldnt he be too old?

The late 70's were a mess on many levels...without Reagan in the picture I wonder how the 80's will go? No Reagan Revolution and not sure if any other conservatives out there could have pulled it off

[Republican Jim]

ELECTION DAY - NOVEMBER 2, 1976

CRONKITE: As we move into the early morning hours, President Ford leads in elecoral votes 241 to Governor Carter's 220. Three states are still too close to call - and any of them can be the deciding factor of who is going to win this election.... I'm getting word that we can now confirm that the state of Wisconsin and it's 11 electoral votes will to go President Ford, bringing his total up to 252.

President Ford/V.P. Rockefeller: 252
Governor Carter/Sen. Mondale: 220

CRONKITE: New York can now be confirmed for Governor Carter. New York's 41 electoral votes go Governor Carter. So the new totals put Governor Carter in the lead by 11 as Ohio will decide it all. The totals now look like:

Preisdent Ford/V.P. Rockefeller 252
Governor Carter/Sen. Mondale 261


CRONKITE: We can now call the election in favor of President Ford as he edges Governor Carter in Ohio. We take it to Dan Rather who is at the Carter Headquarters in Plains, GA.

DAN RATHER: Thanks Walter. Governor Carter has conceded and we're moments away from his concession speech - the governor was somber according to campaign aides. Just recieving word that Governor Carter is at the podium:

Fellow Georgian's, and fellow American's:
When I announced I was running for President, I was viewed by most as a long shot to win the nomination for the Democratic Party. But we perservered, and held our ground and I must say that I'm proud of everyone who made this day and opportunity possible. It would've been great if we had won, but the American people have spoken and it's plain to see they support President Ford. I ask all of you who supported me, to give the President a chance as we move to the latter part of this decade and into the 1980's. May we be able to work with him, not against him. May we be able to work for the American people, not against the American people....

FINAL TALLY

President Ford/V.P. Rockefeller 277
Governor Carter/Sen. Mondale 261

COMING UP: PRESIDENT FORD'S VICTORY SPEECH AND INAUGURATION

[Judah Benjamin]

Ford lost IRL because of the famous debate screwup re the Soviet Union.

Quoting from Time Magazine:

inShare

Chopping the air with his right hand, Gerald Ford boldly declared: "There is no Soviet domination of Eastern Europe, and there never will be under a Ford Administration."
Incredulous, New York Times Associate Editor Max Frankel asked a follow-up question that offered Ford a chance to retreat, but Ford lowered his head and charged into a trap of his own making. By his reckoning, Yugoslavia, Rumania and even Poland were not under the Soviet thumb. "Each of these countries is independent, autonomous; it has its own territorial integrity."



Read more: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/ar...#ixzz266g0zR67

[Andrew T]

Originally Posted by Republican Jim

CRONKITE: We here at CBS can now call the election in favor of President Ford with the final results in Ohio with President Ford edging Governor Carter by less than 900 votes. We take it to Dan Rather who is at the Carter Headquarters in Plains, GA.

DAN RATHER: Thanks Walter. Governor Carter has conceded and we're moments away from his concession speech - the governor was somber according to campaign aides. Just recieving word that Governor Carter is at the podium:

FYI, these margins you have (500 votes in NY, 900 in OH) amount to a margin of one-thousandth of one percent, enough to trigger a recount (either by statute or request of the campaigns). Nobody will be conceding anything on Election Night with results that close.

By contrast, take a look at the results from 2000 IOTL; yes, you have the famous 537-vote margin in Florida, but after that the next closest states were New Mexico (by 22,000 votes) and Wisconsin (by more than 94,000). Or consider that in 2004, the networks did not call Ohio (and hence, the Election) for George W. Bush until the next day, even though Bush won by more than 100,000 votes in Ohio.

I'm not saying not to make it that close -- that's up to you, obviously -- I'm just saying that there will be significant consequences if it is, just as IOTL in 2000.

[Republican Jim]

Originally Posted by Andrew T

FYI, these margins you have (500 votes in NY, 900 in OH) amount to a margin of one-thousandth of one percent, enough to trigger a recount (either by statute or request of the campaigns). Nobody will be conceding anything on Election Night with results that close.

By contrast, take a look at the results from 2000 IOTL; yes, you have the famous 537-vote margin in Florida, but after that the next closest states were New Mexico (by 22,000 votes) and Wisconsin (by more than 94,000). Or consider that in 2004, the networks did not call Ohio (and hence, the Election) for George W. Bush until the next day, even though Bush won by more than 100,000 votes in Ohio.

I'm not saying not to make it that close -- that's up to you, obviously -- I'm just saying that there will be significant consequences if it is, just as IOTL in 2000.

Nixon lost Cook County, Illinois by less than 1500 votes in 1960. He conceded to Kennedy and chose not to have the ballots recounted. I think I could do the same with Carter, who among his many faults was at least humble.

[Andrew T]

Originally Posted by Republican Jim

Nixon lost Cook County, Illinois by less than 1500 votes in 1960. He conceded to Kennedy and chose not to have the ballots recounted. I think I could do the same with Carter, who among his many faults was at least humble.

?

Kennedy/Johnson won 303 electoral votes in 1960. The reason there's no recount is because you can flip Illinois's 27 EV to Nixon and the Democrats still win the White House.

[Bob in Pittsburgh]

Originally Posted by Republican Jim

Nixon lost Cook County, Illinois by less than 1500 votes in 1960. He conceded to Kennedy and chose not to have the ballots recounted. I think I could do the same with Carter, who among his many faults was at least humble.

There also was the little matter of recounting in downstate Illinois. About 10 days after the election Daley walked into his daily press conference with a list of downstate precincts where there were significantly more votes for Nixon than registered voters.

[Republican Jim]

ELECTION DAY - NOVEMBER 2, 1976

CRONKITE: We break from the Carter Headquarters and take it to Bob Schieffer who is at the White House.

BOB SCHIEFFER: Thank you Walter, the tension has been lifted and the mood is good here at the White House as President Ford and Vice President Rockefeller claim victory. Someone here in the Ford Camp said moments ago that it's the comeack of the decade. Many had written the President off but after good debate performances and steady gains in the economy, he managed to get the American people on his side.... We are getting word that the President is taking the podium to address his supporters who are gathered here at the White House.

PRESIDENT FORD: When President Kennedy gave his Inaugural Address in 1961 he stated: "We celebrate today, not a victory of party but a celebration of freedom." My fellow American's, ours is a great victory for the American people - and on behalf of Vice President Rockefeller, I say thank you for giving us this opportunity to serve you for four more years. Our journey to American Prosperity and American Renewal continues and I want to give a special thanks to Governor Carter who I spoke to not more than hour ago, and say I'm glad you are willing to work with the Administration.....

COMING UP: Inauguration and 1977

[Peelitebkearns]

Have only just caught up with this.

Looking forward to seeing how 1977 and beyond pan out.

[ZincOxide]

As well! I look forward to how Ford, instead of Carter, will handle things in the late 1970s. Considering that by today's standards Ford was to the left of Clinton, it suggests that the Repiblican Administration will probably be able to work more easily with the 1970s Democratic Congress.