No Watergate: Connally 76?

Part of the reason Nixon picked Ford as his VP after Agnew resigned was because he lacked political capital as the Watergate investigations were proceeding. Ford was more or less his only option.

What if Watergate hadn't happened (either there's no break-in or the folks don't get caught) and Nixon got Connally as his Veep, making him the Republican nominee in 1976?

Who'd be the VP to Connally? Howard Baker? Gerald Ford?
 
. . . Agnew resigned . . .

What if Watergate hadn't happened (either there's no break-in or the folks don't get caught) and Nixon got Connally as his Veep, . . .

Here’s John Connally speaking on the second night of the 1976 Republican Convention. See about 4:00 into video when the mayor of Providence, Rhode Island is wrapping up his introduction.
https://www.c-span.org/video/?c4610183/1976-rnc-connally

Connally was Secretary of Navy under President Kennedy. He was the Governor of Texas from ‘63 to ‘69. And then, even though a Democrat, was appointed by President Nixon to be Secretary of the Treasury in ‘71.

John formally switched to the Republican Party in 1973, and this last point may be the sticking point.
 
Nixon could have probably traded getting establishment support for Connally in 76 by letting one of thier men be VP from 73-77.
 
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