WI: Ford chooses Bush as VEEP in '74

So as you know, then Ambassador Bush was thought to have been fairly high on President Ford short list for the vacancy in the vice presidency, in the fall of 1974. What if H.W. was chosen by Ford and served out till '77. Does he have enough clout to push some states Ford's way in the General Election against Carter to ensure a second term? If they still loose would George as a former Vice President been a stronger candidate against Reagan? What might be some other butterflies you can think of
 
In 1974, wouldn't the general public reaction have been "Who the hell is this Bush guy?" I don't know what that says about his clout.
 
Bush is to Ford's right certainly but hardly a Reaganite. I don't think this prevents Reagan's challenge but it will certainly help Ford in Texas. If Ford swings Texas and another state he wins the election. If Carter is elected then Bush has a stronger claim in '80.
 
Of course, this also butterflies the career of Nelson Rockefeller, who always wanted to be President but never quite made it to the Oval Office. What would happen to him then?
 
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