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The 1976 Presidential Election
Gerald Ford was widely expected to seek another term for president. Unfortunately,for him a bullet put an end to that. Vice President Rockefeller had declined to seek another term due to health problems. He instead endorsed Howard Baker in the Republican primaries. Ronald Reagan also ran in the Republican primary and was one of Baker's main challengers.Baker and Reagan traded primary wins until Baker clinched the Nomination at the convention. The Democratic primaries were more interesting with big names like George Wallace, Scoop Jackson,Frank Church, losing to Florida Governor Ruben Askew. Howard Baker chose Reagan as his running mate in order to unite the party.Ruben Askew choose Walter Mondale to try and unite the party. The election was an Askew lean but tightened after the debates in which Baker hammered Askew on his inexperience in foreign affairs saying "If we are going to protect Europe from Soviet agression we need an experienced commander in chief". It also had Askew make an anti-abortion comment which lead to a small McCarthy surge. The deciding state was Wisconsin which Baker won with a margin of 500 votes. Eventually after multiple recounts his victory was certified and Askew conceded.