redlightning
Banned
What if President Gerald R. Ford has been assassinated in California during the 1970's successfully? How would this add to the already tense turmoil the nation was in?
What if President Gerald R. Ford has been assassinated in California during the 1970's successfully? How would this add to the already tense turmoil the nation was in?
Saying Rockefeller wouldn't run because of his age is somewhat skeptical (Reagan was, what, 4 years younger than him? Ford was like 5 or 6 yrs younger?). If he wanted to run, he could certainly ride the sympathy wave pretty far. Ford's assassination would big, not nearly as Kennedy, but still. People would definitely be thinking less of Watergate and more so of the assassination.
Him winning could reinvigorate the liberal Republicans at the expense of the conservatives, if Rocky can survive the inevitable clash with Reagan.
True that Ford and Reagan were only slightly younger, but both in relatively good health (Reagan's mental decline wouldn't come till the mid 80's) compared to Rockefeller who had heart problems, which in itself isn't a necessary blockade but counts against him, if not from the media then from himself to realise that his health issues might endanger himself if he had a full term.
On the political side, Rockefeller did have certain advantages in appealing to constituencies not usually Republican (labor, African Americans, urban voters etc) but I'd wager given Watergate and Carter's own stances, Rockefeller's appeal would be muted to these groups. Plus I doubt he could win against Reagan and the conservatives in the primaries, Ford did due to his moderate pragmatic nature that could be both conservative and liberal whereas Rockefeller, as the scion of the declining liberal wing, would have far lesser chance.
There's a possibility that Rockefeller dies in office. Who would take over if Rocky dies?