alternatehistory.com

On November 5th, 1975, Former Alabama Governor and former third party Presidential Candidate George Wallace announced that he would be seeking the Democratic nomination. Wallace said in his speech to a crowd in Birmingham that "The time is now for fresh leadership. America doesn't want a Washington insider as their President and they don't want someone who's gonna ride his family name to the White House. In my many years in public life, I've seen America and I can give this country the leadership it deserves. I've often talked about bringing law and order to our Country, and I promise you that I will first bring it to the part of our country that needs it most. Washington D.C. Thank You and God Bless America."

Later that month, on the 20th, California Governor Ronald Reagan, after spending months traveling across the nation, gave a televised address announcing his candidacy to challenge President Ford for the Republican nomination. Reagan said that "Over these last few year Government has gotten too large and wasteful. I am running for President to put a stop to that. Together we will work to reduce the size of Government, cut spending, cut taxes, and put the power back in the hands of the people. We will also rebuild our defenses so that we can say to our children that we kept America safe and free. Thank you for listening, Goodnight, and God Bless."