Why did Carter tank in the West in 1976?

[Liberalrocks]

As I read it the Ford campaign heavily targeted the West. Fords son was in the rodeo and campaigned for his father in states like Arizona, Nevada, Montana, Idaho, Washington etc. Betty Ford was sent to California on her own and was quite popular nationwide. This in addition to the entire west tending to favor the GOP in those days. Fords target to victory was the midwest and west while Carter targeted the East and South. Thus we see a tight electoral college and popular vote.

[Liberalrocks]

 I read old articles stating that he made a western swing which included safe and more vulnerable states at the time. The Ford campaign focused on the west and despite losing the national race it appeared to pay off in that region.