National Funeral Service for the 38th President 10:00 AM EST, Friday, September 12th, 1975 US Capitol, Washington, DC.
The flag-draped casket of President Ford is carried down the Senate steps of the US Capitol through the Honor Cordon.
It was time for the Departure Honors Ceremony at the US Capitol for the final time for the 38th President. About half an HR before the Departure Honors Ceremony was scheduled to start, participating troops took their positions at the US Capitol. Inside, a national color detail, personal flag bearer, chaplain, & joint body bearer team were preparing to form the procession that would take President Ford's casket from the Capitol Rotunda to an awaiting hearse on the East Plaza. Outside, the United States Coast Guard Band, one officer & 45 musicians, formed on the south side of the plaza at the foot of the east steps. A joint honor cordon, one officer & sixty enlisted men, lined the steps. In line with the northern rank of the honor cordon on the plaza beside the east steps were members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff & the Commandant of the Coast Guard, in position to serve again as the special honor guard.
In an unprecedented move, Ford's casket was taken from the Rotunda to the US Senate Chambers of the Capitol, where he lay in repose for a short period of time, in tribute to his service as VP (the VP served as President of the Senate by direction of the US Constitution).
Standing with these officials was USAF General George S. Brown, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Other officials & the Ford family, scheduled to arrive a few minutes before the departure ceremony began, would stand on the plaza opposite the special honor guard. The honorary pallbearers were in two ranks next to the Ford family. Farther out on the plaza, across from the center of the steps, was the hearse. To its front & rear were the remaining automobiles that would make up the cortege.
At 9:45 AM, after the Ford family & the remaining dignitaries had arrived & taken their places on the plaza, the joint honor guard was dismissed from its vigil at the bier. The body bearers lifted the casket from the catafalque & placed it on a moveable bier. The national color detail then led the way out the east entrance of the rotunda, followed by the chaplain, the body bearers with the flag-draped casket, & the personal flag bearer.
21 Cannon Salute being fired during the Departure Honors Ceremony at the US Capitol for President Ford.
It was 10:00 AM, as the national color detail appeared outside the east entrance of the Capitol, the honor cordon presented arms. The procession halted when the body bearers with the casket reached the head of the steps. At that moment, the Coast Guard Band sounded ruffles & flourishes & played "Hail to the Chief" (as the 21 Cannon Salute was being fired) & "Abide with Me". During the hymn, the body bearers lifted the flag-draped casket from the bier & the procession resumed, moving down the Senate steps, through the honor cordon, & past the family (Susan Ford was wearing sunglasses trying to contain her composure to avoid shedding more tears) & dignitaries on the plaza, to an awaiting hearse. After the casket was placed in the hearse, the band ceased playing & the honor cordon ordered arms.
The Ford family, escort commander, special honor guard, honorary pallbearers, clergy & officials then went into their limousines, & with DC Metropolitan police escorts, departed for the Washington National Cathedral, where the services would begin at 11:00 AM. As the cortege moved from the Capitol to the Cathedral, the carillon's bells tolled 38 times to honoring the 38th President. They also slowed down & stopped at the White House for the final time, where people lining up the streets of DC were quiet as cameras were flashing.
Arrival Honors at the Washington National Cathedral.
As the casket was removed from the hearse, the US Marine Band played "Hail to the Chief" & "Nearer, My God, to Thee."
The musical selections were provided by Cathedral organists; the United States Marine Orchestra; Armed Forces Chorus; Cathedral Choirs of Men, Boys & Girls. The congregation sang the hymn "For All the Saints". All selections had been chosen by the Ford family while planning the service.
During the National Funeral Service, Ford was eulogized by President Rockefeller, US Chief Liaison to PRC George HW Bush, MI Governor William Milliken (R), United States Senator Edward Brooke (R-MA), NBC News White House Correspondent Tom Brokaw & by US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger. The homily sermon was delivered by The Very Reverend Francis B. Sayre, Jr. Scripture was read by Ford's son, John "Jack" Ford & daughter, Susan Ford.
Among the dignitaries, who attended the National Funeral Service of President Ford included President Nelson Rockefeller & First Lady Happy Rockefeller, former VP Hubert Humphrey & his wife, former Second Lady Muriel Humphrey. Former First Ladies Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis & Lady Bird Johnson also attended the services; 50 foreign ambassadors & diplomats were also in attendance.
At the conclusion of the service, former White House Chief of Staff & former US SECDEF Donald Rumsfeld & former White House Deputy Chief of Staff Dick Cheney accompanied the casket from the altar, & President Rockefeller & Steven Ford escorted former First Lady Betty Ford to the cathedral narthex.
"Hail to the Chief" was performed once again by the United States Marine Band as the casket was taken to an awaiting hearse for the procession to Andrews AFB.
President Ford's casket is taken out of the Washington National Cathedral following National Funeral Service.
The trip back to MI 1:30 PM EST, Friday, September 12th, 1975 Andrews AFB, Maryland.
US Armed Forces Honor Guard carrying the flag-draped casket towards an awaiting scissor truck, which would place the body of the 38th President into Special Air Mission 38.
Once the funeral services were over at the National Cathedral, the funeral cortege then drove towards Andrews AFB, where several members of the Ford administration & close Capitol Hill colleagues were awaiting one last glimpse of their boss & friend before the final Departure Honors Ceremony in DC. US Chief Liaison to PRC George HW Bush & his wife, Barbara had left the national funeral services early in order to get to Andrews AFB early. For Bush, this was a very unreal moment for him, losing a close friend whom they served in Congress together, "Just can't believe Jerry is gone, Barb. I just can't believe it." while Barbara agreed with her husband, "I know George, I know."
It was 1:30 PM & the United States Marine Corps Band performed "Hail to the Chief" as the 21 Cannon Salute was fired while TV cameras showed members of the Ford family holding it together to avoid breaking down, except for daughter, Susan, who wept uncontrollably mouthing the words "My Daddy. Why God ? Why ?" as her brothers consoled her including several relatives. Soon afterwards, after the flag-draped casket was placed into Special Air Mission 38, the Ford family personally hugged & thanked members of the Ford Cabinet before walking aboard the plane. Former First Lady Betty Ford turned around to wave goodbye at the large crowd before getting inside, walking towards where her husband's flag-draped casket was located in the private room of Special Air Mission 38.
Special Air Mission 38 left DC for the next destination.... Lansing, MI, where thousands of Michiganders were lining up the streets of downtown Lansing towards the MI State Capitol, where they would view the flag-draped casket of the 38th President later in the night...
Jerry returns home to the Wolverine State 4:30 PM EST, Friday, September 12th, 1975 MI State Capitol Grounds, Lansing, MI.
21 Cannon Salute fired by the United States Marine Corps Regiment Artillery Unit outside the MI State Capitol Grounds in downtown Lansing
Following the Arrival Honors at the Lansing Capitol Airport & performances of "Hail to the Chief", the University of Michigan's "The Yellow & Blue" & the university's fight song, "The Victors" by the University of Michigan Marching Band which included a 21 Cannon Salute, the funeral cortege drove all the way to the MI State Capitol Grounds, where ruffles & flourishes was performed followed by "Stars & Stripes Forever" as the US Marine Corps Regiment Artillery Unit fired the 21 Cannon Salute. Soon afterwards, a private service was held inside the Rotunda of the MI State Capitol, where MI Governor William Milliken (R), Lansing, MI Mayor Gerald W. Graves, United States Senators Robert P. Griffin (R-MI) & Philip Hart (D-MI) & US Rep. John Dingell (D-MI) delivered remarks. Also attending these services included several members of the MI Congressional Delegation including Detroit, MI Mayor Coleman Young (D) & former US Housing & Urban Development Secretary George Romney.
Brown 5:30 PM PST, Friday, September 12th, 1975 Palo Alto, CA.
CA Governor Jerry Brown (D) with Cesar Chavez & aides at La Paz, the UFW HQ.
Over in the Golden State, Governor Brown was busy building up his resume during his 8 months in office: highlighted environmental issues, reflected his appointments to state positions. His selections included J. Baldwin for the then-newly created CA Office of Appropriate Technology, Sim Van der Ryn as State Architect, Stewart Brand as Special Advisor, & John Bryson, the CEO of Southern California Electric Company & a founding member of the Natural Resources Defense Council, chairman of the CA State Water Board in 1976. He also dissolved the CA Arts Council (CAC), raising its state funding 1,300%. This became a source of contention during the state's budget crises at the turn of the century, beginning in 2001 when, under future CA Governor Gray Davis (D), the CAC received $30 million from the State. Additionally, Brown appointed the first African American (Wiley Manuel), female (Rose Bird) & Latino (Cruz Reynoso) justices to the CA Supreme Court.
Brown argued that he curbed the Golden State's spending & balanced its budget while expanding services in the areas of welfare, employment & consumer & environmental protection. He also served on the National Governors Association, Dem Governors Association & the Western Governors Association. Also during his Governorship, Brown concentrated on fiscal severity, prevention of criminal activities & issues related to environment encompassing conservation of coastal land of the state & alternative energy technologies. He also set up the CA Coastal Commission; & passing of the Agricultural Labor Relations Act. He also paid heed to criminal deterrence & vetoed death penalty legislation (which his critics would blast him for, more on one of those critics later in this TL). He advocated government funding of higher education, research on alternative energies & small businesses. Brown also focused on fiscal restraint that led the Golden State to achieving one of the highest budget surpluses of around $5 billion in CA history, which impressed many national political analysts, who viewed Brown as a potential national leader in the upcoming 1976 Presidential election, which some considered likely to happen.
Michiganders viewing the flag-draped casket of the 38th President & their native son 7:30 PM EST, Friday, September 12th, 1975 MI State Capitol Rotunda, Lansing, MI.
US Armed Forces Honor Guard holding vigil
Inside the MI State Capitol Rotunda, an estimated 13,000 & possibly more than 56,000 filed past the flag-draped casket of the 38th President & their native son as many stopped for private moments, wept & some even saluted the casket. This was a very emotional time for many Michiganders, who a year ago, were beaming with pride of seeing one of their own becoming President of the United States before the horrific events of September 5th, 1975 in Sacramento, CA.
The Ford family spent the night at the MI Governor's Residence in Lansing upon the request of MI Governor William Milliken (R) as many mourners continued filing past President Ford's casket for the remainder of the night & early HRS of Saturday morning.
Michiganders saying final goodbye to the 38th President 11:00 AM EST, Saturday, September 13th, 1975 Grace Episcopal Church, Grand Rapids, MI.
Private funeral services for President Ford at the Grace Episcopal Church in Grand Rapids, MI.
Shortly after 9:00 AM, Ford's flag-draped casket was removed from the MI State Capitol & taken by motorcade to the Grace Episcopal Church in East Grand Rapids, where a private funeral service was held, but broadcast on both MI Statewide TV & National TV. Thousands of people lined up the entire motorcade route from Lansing to Grand Rapids, where the procession took about 1 HR & 6 minutes. At 10:06 AM, the motorcade cortege arrived at Grace Episcopal Church, where the Michigan State University Spartan Marching Band performed "Hail to the Chief" & soon afterwards, the funeral service began at 11:00 AM.
During the private funeral service, eulogies were delivered by former White House Chief of Staff & former US SECDEF Donald Rumsfeld, US Chief Liaison to PRC George HW Bush & members of the Ford family. The Army Chorus sang "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" & On Eagle's Wings". Among those in attendance included President & First Lady Rockefeller, MI Governor William Milliken (R) & MI First Lady Helen Wallbank Milliken, Detroit, MI Mayor Coleman Young (D), US Reps. John Conyers (D-MI), John Dingell (D-MI), Donald Riegle (D-MI), Charles Diggs (D-MI), Garry E. Brown (R-MI), J. Edward Hutchinson (R-MI), Philip Ruppe (R-MI), James Blanchard (D-MI) & United States Senators Robert P. Griffin (R-MI) & Philip Hart (D-MI). Soon after the private service, the US Armed Forces Honor Guard carried the flag-draped casket of President Ford outside the steps of Grace Episcopal Church, where "Hail to the Chief" was performed once again before being taken to an awaiting hearse from Metcalf & Jonkoff Funeral Services, where the procession took the route all the way to Woodlawn Cemetery, where graveside services would be taking place.
Final Farewell to the 38th President Saturday, September 13th, 1975 Woodlawn Cemetery, Grand Rapids, MI.
Former US Treasury Secretary John Bowden Connally, Jr., delivering remarks at the Rite of Committal Service for the late President Ford at the Woodlawn Cemetery in Grand Rapids.
Following the private church service, the funeral cortege drove all the way to Woodlawn Cemetery in Grand Rapids. A small group of invited friends joined the Ford family at the graveside service, including President & First Lady Rockefeller, US Transportation Secretary William Coleman, United States Senators Edward Brooke (R-MA), Robert P. Griffin (R-MI) & Howard Baker (R-TN), MI Governor William Milliken & MI First Lady Helen Wallbank Milliken & many other dignitaries. The 126th Army Band from the MI National Guard Unit based in Wyoming, MI performed during the Rite of Committal. The 21 Cannon Salute was fired (which was very loud) by the 119th Field Artillery Regiment of the MI Army National Guard; it was during the Cannon Salute, that Mrs. Ford was held up tightly by her sons, Michael, Jack & Steven while daughter, Susan was crying uncontrollably.
After the 21 Cannon Salute, a benediction was given. 3 volleys from 7 rifles were then fired, followed by the playing of "Taps". As "Taps" was sounded, 21 F-15's from Seymour Johnson AFB, NC did a south-to-north missing man flyby of the casket just as the sun began to set on the western horizon. The flag, which had covered President Ford's casket was then folded & presented to Mrs. Ford by President Rockefeller, at which point TV coverage of the graveside service, by prior request of the Ford family, concluded.
Soon after the graveside service, Mrs. Ford & her family & President Ford's brothers, Thomas Gardner Ford, Dick Ford & Jim Ford spent a few moments at the casket & then proceeded back to the Grace Episcopal Church, where the repast was going to be taking place. President & First Lady Rockefeller both approached the casket together for their final farewells. They then proceeded back to Grace Episcopal Church with the Ford family for the repast. The invited friends & several members of the Ford Cabinet including many dignitaries were escorted to the casket, where all of whom said their final farewells. At approximately 10:38 PM that night, President Ford's casket was placed into the ground during a private procedure, following which the concrete slab, which had contained the Presidential Seal on it, was closed & sealed.
Before departing Grand Rapids the following day, Mrs. Ford & her family returned to President Ford's gravesite. In front of the gravesite was a large bouquet of flowers that had been prepared from individual flowers taken from bouquets & other floral tributes placed by members of the public earlier in the week. It was confirmed by the Ford family during a impromptu press conference, that upon final construction of the Gerald Ford Presidential Museum in Grand Rapids, President Ford's body will be re-interred there at a later date once the Presidential Museum was completed in a few years.
President Rocky 5:18 PM CST, Sunday, September 26th, 1975 Springfield, IL.
It had been a whirlwind 21 days since ascending to the nation's highest office for President Rockefeller, who had been on a hectic working schedule. Rockefeller & his wife, Happy moved into the White House on September 18th (the Ford family moved to Palm Springs, CA while maintaining their residence in Grand Rapids, MI including their summer residence in Vail, CO). He was still keeping the VP pick close to the vest, which he would be announcing in a few days & while the political analysts were pushing ahead with the upcoming 1976 Presidential campaign. The question was: Will President Rockefeller seek a full 4-year term in spite of possible primary challenges from Reagan, Baker, Connally & many others OR will he decided to be content as a caretaker President & focus on healing the country, which had undergone a traumatic time: Watergate, Nixon's resignation in disgrace, the embarrassing end of the Vietnam War & Ford's assassination.
During the last couple of days & following confirmation hearings, Clements was confirmed as US SECDEF by the United States Senate in a 82-17 vote while Brooke was confirmed as US Attorney General by a vote of 91-9. Once Clements & Brooke were both sworn in respectively into their respective Cabinet posts, it was time to determine whether to keep Kissinger as US Secretary of State.... or remove the man, whom Rockefeller brought into politics & move on toward a new direction.
Following a speech to the IL Veterans of Foreign Wars Convention in Springfield, IL, Rockefeller got into the Presidential limousine (which had bullet proof glass & he was wearing a trench-coat including bullet-proof vest) & the motorcade drove all the way towards the Lincoln Capitol Airport, where he was still using his own Gulfstream (which had the callsign Executive One as a private aircraft) & he was also slow to using Air Force One. He strongly felt he was saving taxpayer money this way. Finally, the Secret Service (who were having stress following the Ford assassination) convinced him it was costing more to fly agents around separately for his protective detail than it would for him to travel on Air Force One with them. He caved into this intervention for obvious reasons: security & safety.
President & First Lady Rockefeller talking to Emperor Hirohito & Empress Nagako of Japan inside the Family Residence of the White House.
October 2nd-3rd, 1975: Rockefeller hosts Japanese Emperor Hirohito & Empress Nagako for a State Visit. This is the first State Visit for an Emperor & Empress of Japan to the United States.
President Rockefeller meeting with United States Senator Jimmy Carter (D-GA) to lobby him on supporting the NYC Season Financial Act inside the Oval Office during a meeting inside the Oval Office from September 19th, 1975. October 29th, 1975: Rockefeller urged fiscal restraint & a financial review for NYC, NY St during its fiscal crisis. Understanding how he was handling similar things during his long Governorship in NY St for 14 years (1959 to 1973), he then announced in a nationwide address from the Oval Office, he would be granting a federal bailout to NYC, which was applauded by NY St Governor Hugh Carey (D) & NYC, NY Mayor Abraham Beame (D) & several members of the NY St Congressional Delegation. He also signed the NYC Seasonal Financial Act of 1975, a Congressional bill that extended $2.3 billion worth of federal loans to the city for 3 years. In return, Congress ordered the city to increase charges for city services, to cancel a wage increase for city employees & to drastically reduce the number of people in its workforce.
BREAKING NEWS: PRESIDENT ROCKEFELLER NAMES FORMER VA GOVERNOR & US ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE FOR LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS LINWOOD HOLTON AS VP; CONFIRMATION HEARINGS SET FOR SEPTEMBER 29TH
Being aggressive at a faster-pace to using the shock & surprise at Congress, President Rockefeller announced in a Presidential Address to the Nation inside the East Room of the White House, that he was nominating former VA Governor & US Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative Affairs Linwood Holton to become the 42nd VP pending confirmation by both houses of Congress, with the confirmation hearings set for September 29th.
Reaction on Holton being named VP will almost infuriate many Conservative GOPers even more, who weren't thrilled with the Rockefeller administration to begin with. Reagan was even more likely to jump into the 1976 Presidential campaign on the GOP side by raising more than $29 million & counting, while Baker was reluctantly declaring his candidacy for the Presidency as well, even though both were waiting to see what Rockefeller decides to do...
International & National highlights during the Rockefeller Presidency:
October 1st, 1975: Thrilla in Manila: Muhammad Ali defeats Joe Frazier in a boxing match at the Philippine Coliseum in Quezon City, Philippines. Ali retained his World Heavyweight Championship.
Muhammad Ali congratulated by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos.
Morocco & Mauritania reached a secret agreement to invade the Western Sahara & divide the territory between them, after Spain announced that it would hold a referendum in the Saharan territory.
The Gilbert & Ellice Islands, a British protectorate in the South Pacific Ocean, were divided in anticipation of independence. The Gilbert Islands would become the nation of Kiribati, while the Ellice Islands would become Tuvalu.
October 3rd, 1975: For the first time since Bangladesh had seceded from Pakistan in 1971, the two nations established diplomatic relations.
The Teton Dam in ID began to fill as the Teton River was closed off. 8 months later, on June 5th, 1976, the earthen dam would break, flooding the town of Wilford, ID, resulting in the deaths of 11 people.
October 5th, 1975: In elections for the Austrian Nationalrat, the Social Democratic Party of Austria, led by Austrian Chancellor Bruno Kreisky, retained its slim majority in the lower house of Parliament, with 93 out of 183 seats.
October 7th, 1975: President Rockefeller signs an extension of the federal school lunch & nutrition program (reversing a veto by the late President Ford), both houses of Congress voted overwhelmingly in support of this program.
East Germany & the Soviet Union signed a new Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation & Mutual Assistance, although their 1964 Friendship Treaty still had 9 years to run. The 20-year treaty was to run until 1995, although East Germany would end in 1990 & the Soviet Union in 1991.
October 8th, 1975: Over the objections of US SECDEF William P. Clements, Jr., President Rockefeller signed legislation that included requirement of women being allowed admission into the United States Service Academies (at West Point, Annapolis, Colorado Springs, New London & Kings Point), for the first time in history.
October 9th, 1975: The United States Senate voted 70-18 to authorize American civilians to join the United Nations Forces in the Sinai peninsula, a day after the US House of Representatives had approved the measure 341-69.
October 11th, 1975: NBC airs the 1st episode of "Saturday Night Live" (George Carlin is the first host; Billy Preston & Janis Ian are the first musical guests).
October 12th, 1975: The Willow Creek Community Church, which would become one of the first Christian megachurches (averaging 24,000 attendees per weekend in later years), held its first service, at a movie theater in Palatine, IL.
October 13th, 1975: The Maori land march took place in New Zealand with 5,000 Maori people arrived at the Parliament Building in Wellington after having marched from Te Hapua on the north side of the nation.
Canadian PM Pierre Trudeau said in a nationally-televised speech that he would establish mandatory wage & price controls in order to bring inflation under control, & that an Anti-Inflation Board would enforce the new rules.
The bicentennial American dollar coin was placed into circulation by the United States Treasury. For the first time, the dollar coin had no silver content; the 1974 coins had 40% silver. The dollar still had the image of President Dwight D. Eisenhower on the obverse, with "1776-1976" beneath, but the reverse featured a new image, showing the Liberty Bell & the Moon.
October 21st-22nd, 1975: The AL Champion Boston Red Sox defeat the NL Champion Cincinnati Reds in Game 6 off Carlton Fisk's 12th Inning home run; the Reds would go onto winning their 3rd World Series Championship in Game 7.
Holton 4:58 PM EST, Thursday, October 16th, 1975 Richmond, VA.
Following a smooth & sometimes contentious confirmation hearing in both the US House of Representatives & United States Senate, Holton was confirmed by the United States Senate on October 7th by a vote of 88-12. 9 days later, the US House of Representatives voted in favor of Holton's nomination as VP by a vote of 287 to 151. Following the official notification of his confirmation, Holton was phoned with congratulations by many family & friends, "I'm waiting to see if I want the swearing-in to be held here in Richmond or fly up to DC to do it," Holton pondered while thinking inside his private office at the family residence.
Over at the VA State Capitol in downtown Richmond, a growing crowd had gathered on the Capitol Grounds. Holton might have opted for a White House ceremony like the East Room to be sworn in as the 42nd VP of the United States, but when SCOTUS Chief Justice Warren Burger asked if he wanted the swearing-in to be private or public. Without hesitation, Holton replied "publicly, inside the VA House of Delegates Chamber". President Rockefeller was in attendance as Chief Justice Burger administered the Oath of Office:
Burger: "Governor Holton. Are you ready to take the Oath of Office ?"
Holton: "Yes."
Burger: "Please put your left hand on the Holton family Bible, raise your right hand & repeat after me your Oath of Office. I, Abner Linwood Holton, Jr., do solemnly swear..."
Holton: "I, Abner Linwood Holton, Jr., do solemnly swear..."
Burger: "that I will support & defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign & domestic;"
Holton: "that I will support & defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign & domestic;"
Burger: "that I will bear true faith & allegiance to the same; that I will take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion;"
Holton: "that I will bear true faith & allegiance to the same; that I will take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion;"
Burger: "& that I will well & faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God."
Holton: "& that I will well & faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God."
Burger: "Congratulations Mr. Vice President." (round of applause)
Holton: "Thank you very much Mr. Chief Justice."
("Hail, Columbia" is performed as the 19 Cannon Salute is fired outside the VA State Capitol Grounds).
Brown 12:47 PM HST, Friday, October 30th, 1975 Honolulu, HI.
CA Governor Jerry Brown (D) was addressing the VFW Annual Conference in Honolulu, HI honoring & commending the military service of World War II, Korea & Vietnam War Veterans, thanking all of them for their service to the United States of America. He also highlighted his home state's population of military veterans as well. Following the speech, Brown got into the blue Plymouth with his security detail along with his girlfriend, CA First Girlfriend Linda Ronstadt & drove to Washington Place (Residence of the HI Governor) & met with HI Governor George Ariyoshi (D) & his wife, HI First Lady Jean Ariyoshi, where the Ariyoshi's personally gave Brown & Ronstadt a tour of Washington Place, highlighting the history of the Aloha State, etc.,
While Mrs. Ariyoshi & Rondstadt held a heart-to-heart talk about life upstairs in the family quarters, Brown & Ariyoshi got down to business. Ariyoshi mentioned that Brown had been receiving national attention since his narrow election victory as CA's 34th Governor in 1974 (where Brown blew a 20 percentage point lead in the polls, only to win by 3 percentage points in that November); he brought up the possibility of Brown jumping into the 1976 Presidential election. "So, Jerry, are you going to run for the Presidency in 1976 ?" Brown smiled & replied, "George, I am running for the Presidency, but don't tell anyone else I've said this because I like to pull a few surprises on some certain politicians, who think they got the Dem nomination for President (he was referring to Carter, Wallace, Askew, etc.,)
Brown was going to be watching the President's speech later that night at the Hotel Sheraton in downtown Honolulu, where he was going to be glued in to see what he had to say "In my gut, I don't think Rockefeller runs for a full 4-year term in 1976. I just know it. The big question is do I have to get past Reagan next fall ?"
The Caretaker President 6:52 PM EST, Friday, October 31st, 1975 White House Press Briefing Room, White House Washington, DC.
President Rockefeller delivering the announcement nobody saw coming.
He made a private decision making conversation with his wife, Happy inside the Family Quarters of the White House (3rd floor) several weeks earlier. It was agreed to them that NOBODY find out his decision on what the political future held for 1976. President Rockefeller had written down the speech on his political future & everything else, analyzed it, double-checked it for possible errors then corrected some of the errors before polishing it up. The decision was already made on October 9th, which Nelson told Happy his decision & both kept quiet & tight-lipped whenever people hounded them with questions on the 1976 Presidential Elections.
Fast forward to the evening of Friday, October 31st, 1975: the White House Press Briefing Room inside the West Wing was getting packed, everyone was wondering "what does President Rockefeller want to say about the 1976 campaign ? Will he seek a full 4-year term despite aggressive GOP Primary challenges from Reagan, Baker, etc., ? What does the President have to say right now ?" Helen Thomas was scratching her head as to why in the world did President Rockefeller call an impromptu press conference this late at night when people could've gone home to their families. VP Holton was notified of the decision several days earlier & was told specifically by the President to "KEEP QUIET". He also notified many members of the NY St Congressional Delegation of his decision including US Rep. Shirley Chisholm (D-NY St). ABC News White House Correspondent Sam Donaldson cleared his throat & spoke via satellite from the Press Briefing Room "Good evening everyone. I'm Sam Donaldson here at the White House Press Briefing Room, where President Rockefeller had called a major announcement before the nation. We don't know what the announcement is, but some sources have explained that it's about the 1976 elections. We really don't know what the President is going to say until he announces it."
Barbara Walters was outside the White House awaiting to get more information on what President Rockefeller would announce: "I believe the President is on his way to the podium, so we've got a 5 minute warning right now...."
ABC News Evening News Anchor Peter Jennings: "Barbara, I believe the President has approached the podium, so ladies & gentlemen. The President of the United States!"
President Rockefeller: "Good evening everyone & my fellow Americans... I am delighted to be joined today by my wife & your First Lady, Happy Rockefeller, my 6 children & many grandchildren.
It is good to be joined by my extended family of staff & former staff, there must be hundreds of you here today. & it is great to see so many supporters who have made the high honor of public service possible.
It has been an improbable journey that has taken me from NYC to serving as the 1st US Assistant Secretary of State for American Republic Affairs, then 1st US Under Secretary of Health, Education & Welfare, later going to the NY St Executive Mansion as NY St's 49th Governor then serving as the 41st Vice President of the United States & then as the 39th President of the United States & for over 30+ years, each day has been an honor, serving the most dynamic, optimistic & independent people of the greatest country in the entire world. With that, I thank you for letting me serve both my beloved home state of NY St & the United States of America as well.
Working in a bipartisan way with members of Congress in both political parties during this period, I had proudly signed legislation preventing NYC from going into bankruptcy. The key piece of legislation is known as the NYC Seasonal Financing Act of 1975 & working with NYC Mayor Abraham Beame & NY St Governor Hugh Carey as well as members of my home state's Congressional Delegation, this hardworking effort never would've been possible if it hadn't been for your cooperation & help.
On September 5th, 1975, the duties of the office of the Presidency fell upon me during tragic circumstances when our great country lost a true patriot in the 38th President, the Honorable Gerald Rudolph Ford. I understand that some of the actions since taking office might not have been the most popular, but these actions were necessary & it's very important to put some of the controversies behind us.
I also understand that I was neither elected to the Vice Presidency or Presidency, but I strongly believe that I have a responsibility to lead the country out of the turmoil that we've been undergoing in the past several years from Watergate, the fallout of the end of the Vietnam War & other hot-button issues, which has divided the American people in recent years. Now it's NOT the time to exploit these crises for political purposes or even political campaigning.....
As we move toward the end of 1975 & celebrating our country's Bicentennial of Independence coming up on July 4th, 1976, which would be our 200th anniversary. While we've got a lot to celebrate in terms of understanding how far we've come as a country from the American Revolution, gaining Independence, the Civil War, Reconstruction Period to the Spanish-American War, then Women getting the right to vote, the battle over Civil Rights & opportunities for all Americans. In my 67 years on earth, I've lived through many of these events in my lifetime, I know that we as a country, still has a long way to go in achieving our truest potential & I plan on being involved in making sure all Americans no matter what ethnicity, zip code, neighborhood or stage of life, get better opportunities & getting stronger equality.
By January 20th, 1977, I will have served out my term as President for 1 year, 4 months & 15 days. (No turning back now, Rockefeller thought to himself before continuing). I remain about the future including the challenges ahead facing us as a country, but like I mentioned earlier, in my 30+ years of public service, I believe it's time to take a step back & pass on the mantle of leadership..... (Rockefeller took a deep breath & drank a glass of water before continuing his speech)....
This evening, I am announcing that I will NOT be seeking election to a full 4-year term as President of the United States (the room is dead silent & quiet like a pin drop after this comment while the cameras are flashing & TV cameras filming the speech live across the country & all over the world).....
Over the next 15 months, I will continue to work hard in creating more jobs, finding our way out of the massive inflation problem, coordinating a peaceful relationship with our allies in the Pacific, Europe, Latin America, Africa & the Middle East in making sure that peace is the solution to all problems going forward. I will continue finishing out this term as President in making sure our finest men & women in our Armed Forces are treated with the dignity & respect they deserve in the service of this great country. In 1976, a new President will be elected & will be taking office on January 20th, 1977, when I leave this office. I will be confident that my administration will be remembered as doing the best in healing our great Republic & making sure we never had to experience such turmoil or crisis ever again. Thank you very much for listening. God Bless you all & God Bless the United States of America."
Following the announcement, Rockefeller walked towards his wife, Happy & kissed her & hugged his kids & grandkids before leaving the Press Briefing Room. Now that he wasn't running in 1976, he was free to push for any policy proposal & working with Congress on several hot-button issues.
With that announcement of Rockefeller NOT running, the dominoes can to shake with aggressive results to be seen later on.....
Holton 8:45 PM EST, Friday, October 31st, 1975 Number One Observatory Circle, Washington, DC.
He didn't know what to say, how to react or even comprehend on what he had just watched on TV inside the living room of Number One Observatory Circle (where the Holton's had been living for the past 2 weeks). "HOLY S***! I guess I might have to run for the Presidency in 1976 since Rocky will be pushing me to run for the GOP Presidential nomination." Holton thought to himself.
Holton also realized he would have to get past former CA Governor Ronald Reagan (R), United States Senator Howard Baker (R-TN) & several others for the GOP Presidential nomination. It was going to get UGLY. Second Lady Jinks Rogers Holton walked to the living room, rested her head on her husband's left shoulder & replied "Linwood, you have to know that this is our time because it's now or never. I will support you 100% all the way." After releasing a statement to the press, praising President Rockefeller's leadership & long decades of public service, Holton decided in a few days he would be announcing his campaign for the GOP Presidential nomination.
Nancy 5:45 PM PST, Friday, October 31st, 1975 Simi Valley, CA.
Nancy was smirking inside while trying to contain her composure, "This is our time." she thought to herself as she watched Rockefeller's retirement announcement while Ronald was addressing members of the press outside the Reagan family's vacation home. The former CA Governor knew what he had to do: run for the Presidency in 1976, he had gotten phone calls from United States Senators Jesse Helms (R-NC), John Tower (R-TX) & Henry Bellmon (R-OK), all of whom would be backing him in the GOP Primaries against VP Holton, who was expected to announce his candidacy the next day.
As her husband was addressing the press, Nancy was thinking to herself on making extreme changes to the White House, even considered snubbing the residence (as she did back in Sacramento during her husband's Governorship, when the Reagan's only resided in the Historic CA Governor's Mansion for just 3 months before moving out sometime around April of 1967). "Now that Rocky is out, this is our time for Ronnie & me. Time to make some changes in the White House, by firing some of the old, boring staff members over there including getting rid of those carpets & other furniture that previous administrations had put in there." Some people didn't like her due to her actions as CA First Lady in the mid-to-late 1960s & early 1970s, others praised her as a breath of fresh air because in their eyes, they viewed Nancy Davis Reagan as someone, who need to crack the whip whenever necessary.
Baker 4:46 PM CST, Saturday, November 1st, 1975 Nashville, TN.
United States Senator Howard Baker (R-TN) made history in 1966 defeating popular TN Governor Frank Clement (D) by becoming the first GOPer elected to the United States Senate representing the Volunteer State. He was easily reelected in 1972 & he had been asked by then-President Nixon in 1971 to fill one of the 2 empty seats on the US Supreme Court. However, Baker took too long to make up his mind, so Nixon changed his mind & appointed William Rehnquist instead, who was confirmed. During the height of the Watergate Scandal investigations of 1973 & 1974, Baker was the influential Ranking GOPer on the Senate Watergate Committee, chaired by then-United States Senator Sam Ervin (D-NC), which investigated the Watergate Scandal. Baker famously asked the words: "What did the President know & when did he know it ?"
Carter 6:55 PM EST, Saturday, November 1st, 1975 Atlanta, GA.
United States Senator Jimmy Carter (D-GA) had been campaigning for the Presidency blatantly since getting into the GA Governor's Mansion in 1971 & pretty much since his election to the United States Senate in 1974 including during his tenure in the Senate. While he didn't want to make any waves in the aftermath of Ford's assassination & Rockefeller's ascension to the Presidency for a few weeks. Now that Rockefeller was out, Carter went full-steam ahead with his Presidential campaign. He was little known outside of his home state of GA & many national liberals distrusted him for obvious reasons: for instance, during his Governorship from January 12th, 1971 to January 14th, 1975, Carter favored a constitutional amendment to ban busing for the purpose of expediting integration in schools. Carter also co-sponsored an anti-busing resolution with AL Governor George Wallace (D) at the 1971 National Governors Conference, which Carter also hosted.
The Scoop-isto 3:56 PM PST, Saturday, November 1st, 1975 Seattle, WA St.
Despite his liberal voting record on domestic issues such as Social Security, Civil Rights legislation such as the Civil Rights Acts of 1957, 1960 & 1964 including the Voting Rights Act of 1965 including his strong support for labor unions, social welfare programs & safeguarding the environment. Jackson had unsuccessfully run for the Dem Presidential nomination in 1972, when primary opponents such as United States Senator George McGovern (D-SD) [who went on to winning the nomination.... only to get crushed by then-President Nixon in a massive landslide] accused Jackson of racism for his staunch opposition to busing despite Jackson's long-standing record on civil rights issues. During that campaign, Jackson's high point was a distant 3rd place in the FL Primary, but failed to stand out of the pack among better-known rivals & he made real news only later during the campaign, as part of the "Stop McGovern" coalition, which raised what would be known as the "Acid, Amnesty & Abortion" questions about McGovern. Jackson ended up suspending his campaign in May of that year after a weak showing in the OH Primary & finishing well behind McGovern, United States Senator Ed Muskie (D-ME), AL Governor George Wallace (D) & United States Senator Hubert Humphrey (D-MN) in the early primaries.
Later re-emerging at the August DNC Convention after runner-up Humphrey, dropped out of the race. Jackson's name was placed in nomination by then-GA Governor Jimmy Carter (D), & he finished 2nd in the delegate roll-call, well behind nominee McGovern.
Fast forward to 3 years later, Jackson launched another campaign for the Dem Presidential nomination in 1976. He continued to raise his profile outside of his home state of WA St by speaking out on Soviet-US relations & Middle East policy regularly, & he was considered a front-runner for the nomination when he announced the start of his 2nd Presidential campaign on February 1st, 1975. Jackson received substantial support financial support from Jewish Americans who admired his pro-Israel views, but his support of the Vietnam War resulted in deep-seated hostility from the liberal wing of the Dems. He also chose to run on social issues, emphasizing law & order & his hardcore staunch opposition to busing, which continued to piss off liberals & civil rights activists.
Wallace 5:56 PM CST, Saturday, November 1st, 1975 AL Governor's Mansion, Montgomery, AL.
January 20th, 1975: AL Governor George Wallace (D) greeting supporters during his 3rd Inauguration on the AL State Capitol Grounds.
Having just been reelected to a historic 3rd term as AL's 45th Governor (having been elected in 1962; reelected in 1970 & again in 1974), AL Governor George Wallace (D) launched his 4th & likely final campaign for the Presidency. From the onset of this campaign, Wallace was plagued by voters' concerns about his health (having been shot & paralyzed in 1972) as well as the media use of images that portrayed him as nearly helpless. His supporters complained that such coverage of the Governor's health problems was motivated by bias, citing the discretion used in covering FDR's paralysis, before TV became commercially available.
