Reagan Wins Republican Nomination 1976!

[TommyC1776]

For the first time in history, a sitting President was denied nomination by his party.  Gerald Ford said "I tried to fight the fight but I lost."

Governor Ronald Reagan states "We did it.  We beat President Ford in the primaries.  Now onto the Convention."  His running mate is Richard Schweiker.

The Democratic nominee is Jimmy Carter.  His running mate is Mo Udall.

Congressional breakdown:
House: 286 Democrats, 149 Republicans
Senate: 61 Democrats, 38 Republicans, 1 Independent (caucuses with Dems)

[TommyC1776]

1976 Democratic Convention:

Jimmy Carter accepts his nomination for President.  "Americans, we can't afford another 4 years of Republican rule after the Watergate scandal.  Let's elect Democrats this fall.  We will stand up for the little guy."

They nominate Carter/Udall

[Yelnoc]

I'm guessing Carter wins election in '76 and runs for reelection in '80.  The Republican Primaries in 1980 will probably be between Bush, Baker, Crane, and Anderson.  Maybe Baker vs. Carter in '80?

[feeblepizza]

I think it'll be a close race, but Carter still wins. Bush will probably get the GOP nomination in 1980 and be the standard bearer for the Conservative Revolution. Maybe Carter/Udall v. Bush/Dole in 1980?

[TommyC1776]

1976 Republican Convention:

The Republicans nominate Ronald Reagan for President and Richard Schweiker for Vice President.

President Gerald Ford states "Republicans we must reunite with Governor Reagan and Senator Schweiker.  Their the best chance we have in 1976."

Senator Barry Goldwater states "Let's support conservatism policies.  Governor Reagan might be able to do what I couldn't do in 1964: win."

Reagan gives his acceptance speech to the Convention on the last day.  "Today, our party will go forward with more conservative values as compared with the past."

They nominate Reagan/Schweiker

[TommyC1776]

Presidential Debate: October 15, 1976
Moderator: David Brinkley


Brinkley: Hello Americans and welcome to the Presidential Debate of 1976.  We have with us tonight Governor Ronald Reagan and Governor Jimmy Carter.  Governor Reagan, what's your plan to sway voters in your favor with the Watergate scandal in your party?

Reagan: In answer to your question I want to say that I wasn't part of that administration.  A Reagan administration will be different than what a Ford administration is.  Under a Reagan administration we will see more conservative values installed in America and that's just what we need.

Carter: Mr. Brinkley, I want to say that we can't afford another Republican administration.  Governor Reagan isn't the right man for America in 1976.  We need a better direction for America in the next 4 years than he can give you.  Under a Carter administration I promise you less unemployment than there is now and honesty to your government.

Brinkley: Thanks for your answers.  Next question is what will your plans be for the next 4 years?  Governor Carter?

[CathKhan]

I'm guessing Reagan wins because of his charisma and how galvinized the Conservatives are after the Nixon/Ford era. However, Reagan fails to turn the country around and in 1980 someone like Mo Udall, Ted Kennedy, or Jerry Brown is able to win the Democratic nomination and usher in a second Liberal Revolution.

If Reagan wins, it'd be interesting to see the cabinet positions. My idea would be:
State: George Shultz
Defense: Barry Goldwater
Ambassador to the United Nations: William F Buckley
Attorney General: James L Buckley

[TommyC1776]

1976 Presidential Debate Continued:

Carter: Well my plan is to look out for the little guy.  Governor Reagan won't do that.  He's also changed his ideals when he decided to run for President.  First he's pro-choice now he's pro-life.  Can we really trust a man like that?

Reagan: Well first I want to say that Governor Carter should know that people do change their minds sometimes.  One thing I want to do is shrink the size of government.  We can't afford all these increases in Government.  Under my administration I'd balance the budget.

Brinkley: Alright third and final question.  How would you restore honesty to your government?  Governor Reagan?

Reagan: In order to restore honesty to the government I'd try to hold alot of press conferences and be open about what was happening in the surroundings at Washington, D.C.

Carter: I think the first thing to restore honesty to the White House is be up front with the people about different things.  That can bring honesty to government.  Under a Carter administration we will have an honest government.  Under Reagan’s administration you will have a flip-flop government.

Reagan: Wait a minute Governor Carter, just remember that people change their mind over time.  That’s what happened with me and that’s when I found conservatism.

Brinkley: Alright Americans.  Remember to vote on November 2nd.

[TommyC1776]

Ronald Reagan wins the Presidency


EV: Reagan 308, Carter 230

PV%: Reagan 52%, Carter 47%, Others 1%

[TommyC1776]

Congressional Results:
House: 260 Democrats, 175 Republicans
Senate: 57 Democrats, 42 Republicans, 1 Independent (caucuses with Dems)

President-elect Reagan will have a Democratic Congress, which means he may have to compromise.

Reagan states "Thank you Americans.  We now have to get things to go forward over the next 4 years.  The Republicans still have the Presidency.  We gained seats in the House and Senate as well."

Carter states "I wish Governor Reagan all the luck in the world over the next 4 years."

[CathKhan]

Post-January 20th, will you be able to show us Reagan's cabinet picks?

[TommyC1776]

On January 3rd, 1977 the 95th U.S. Congress starts.  Senate Majority Leader Ted Kennedy states "We're going to do all we can to work with President Reagan.  We may have our disagreements but that's what America is about."

On January 18th, 1977 President Ford gives his farewell address "Americans, it's been an interesting last 4 years.  I want to say that it's been an interesting 2 1/2 years as President.  There were good points and there were bad ones.  All in all we got through it.  Thanks and God Bless America."

On January 20, 1977 Ronald Reagan is inaugurated as President of the United States.  "America, today is a new day for you.  Conservatism will begin under my administration.  I want to state that I plan to work well with Senator Kennedy and Speaker O'Neil.  This will be a great next 4 years.  Thanks and God Bless America."

[Dallasfan65]

Damn, I was expecting Carter to win.

[TommyC1776]

Post-January 20th, will you be able to show us Reagan's cabinet picks?

Secretary of State: George Schultz
Secretary of Treasury: Donald Regan
Secretary of Defense: Barry Goldwater
Attorney General: James L. Buckley

[TommyC1776]

At the beginning of February Fleetwood Mac releases their hit album Rumours.

Then later that month the House decides to debate the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977.  President Reagan states if it gets to his desk he may veto it.  The House passes it 265-160.  The Senate then votes for it 61-34.  President Reagan decides to veto it.  "I made my decision after thinking about too much government control of the mining industry." stated Reagan.

"This means legislative war." stated Senator Kennedy.

[Dallasfan65]

The Senate then votes for it 61-34.  President Reagan decides to veto it taking it back to the House.

Slight problem you've got there...

[TommyC1776]

The Senate then votes for it 61-34.  President Reagan decides to veto it taking it back to the House.

Slight problem you've got there...

What's the issue?  I always thought that the House tried to override the veto not long after it was vetoed by the President.

[TommyC1776]

Speaker of the House Tip O'Neill and Senate Majority Leader Ted Kennedy say "President Reagan should be ashamed of himself for vetoing that bill."

The Democrats say "If President Reagan keeps this up he will lose support from the American people."

President Reagan states "I wish there was legislation brought forward that would lower the budget and have less government involvement in the community.  That's the America I want to see in my term as your President."

Wait and see what else happens.  We will see if Reagan vetoes legislation in the future.

[TommyC1776]

From June 6th-June 9th Queen Elizabeth celebrates 25 years in power.  Then on June 10th James Earl Ray escapes prison and is finally re-captured 3 days later.

Then in July Led Zeppelin does it's last concert in the U.S.



Back in Congress, the House votes to amend the Clean Water Act of 1972.  The House vote is 265-170.  The Senate vote is 60-40.  President Reagan vetoes the legislation.

As 1978 came closer, President Reagan asks Congress for a Balanced Budget bill.  Tip O'Neill and Ted Kennedy decide to bring up a budget bill with cuts to some military and more funding to social programs like Social Security.  This was known as the Balanced Budget Act of 1978.  It passes the House 250-185.  Then it goes to the Senate where it passes 55-45.  President Reagan states "This legislation puts a bump in our military.  We don't need a bump in our military therefore I must veto this."  He does just that and Speaker O'Neill states "Will President Reagan learn to compromise?"  Wait and see what happens.

[TommyC1776]

Next the Congress starts talking about a compromise.  They decide to split the domestic and foreign spending 50/50 for the next 5 years but can be amended if needed.  President Reagan states "I will sign this budget."

The House votes 261-174 on the New Budget Act of 1978 while the Senate votes 60-40.  President Reagan signs it on June 15, 1978.

Meanwhile the Congress decides to create a Department of Education in the President's cabinet.  President Reagan is against this legislation and says he will be against it.  The House votes 280-155 and the Senate votes 64-36.  President Reagan vetoes it.  O'Neill stated he might try to override the President's veto but decides not to.

Speaker Tip O'Neill decides to bring an ethics bill to a vote.  The Ethics in Government Act passes the House 335-100 and the Senate 80-20.  Reagan signs it into law on November 1, 1978.

Meanwhile it looks like Republicans will pick up seats in the Midterm Election.  President Reagan hopes that the Republicans can stop any of the liberal legislation from being brought up.  Privately he states "I hope the Republicans can win 8 seats this fall."  He knows that might be a far-reach number but "we will have to wait and see" says Reagan.  Wait and see what happens next.

[TommyC1776]

Senate Majority Leader Ted Kennedy states "Americans give the Democrats a chance to continue our ideas by re-electing us to Congress."

Senate Minority Leader Howard Baker states "Americans the time has come for you to show the Democrats in Congress you want smaller government."

[TommyC1776]

Midterms:
House: 245 Democrats, 190 Republicans
Senate: 54 Democrats, 45 Republicans, 1 Independent (caucuses with Dems)

The Democrats lost seats in both the House and Senate.  President Reagan states "The American people have spoken and wanted change."

[TommyC1776]

On January 3, 1979 the 96th Congress begins.  Speaker of the House Tip O'Neill decides to bring up the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979.  The House votes 320-115 on it.  Then it goes to the Senate.  They vote 71-29.  President Reagan decides to sign it into law on February 27, 1979.

In early March Senate Majority Leader Ted Kennedy decides to announce his run for President.  "Today Americans I've decided to jump into the race for the Democratic nomination for President in 1980.  I will continue my fight for the middle class and the poor as well as fight for healthcare for all."

Then on April 8, 1979 "All In the Family" airs its last episode.

[CathKhan]

Led Zeppelin has its last concert.

[TommyC1776]

During the summer of 1979 the unemployment goes up to 10%.  President Reagan states "The unemployment is going up because the Democrats aren't letting conservative values get up for a vote.  They keep trying to pass government programs and that's not what America needs."

Then Congressman Mo Udall announces his run for the Democratic nomination for President.  "I want to see America better represented than we've seen under the Reagan administration."

As the fall of 1979 gets closer it looks like Congressman John Anderson may challenge President Reagan for the Republican nomination.