The liberal Republic

[President Johnson]

August 1, 1975: President Rockefeller and world leaders to sign historic Helsinki Accords



During the Helsinki Summit, President Nelson Rockefeller meets, among others, with German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt (on the left to the president)

Following two years of negotiations between the leading nations were completed and ready for final approval through their representatives. On August 1, 1975, President Nelson Rockefeller, joined by Secretary of State Richard Nixon, arrived in Helsinki for the ?Conference for Security and Cooperation in Europe?. The declarations main intent was to improve relations between the Western powers and the communist block and minimize the threat of war. Important points were ?Respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief? and ?Equal rights and self-determination of peoples?, as agreed to in the declaration (however, this was more of a declaration and not a treaty).

During the conference, President Rockefeller also held several conversations with other leaders behind closed doors. Among them were German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt, Italian Premier Aldo Moro and Prime Minister Alexei Kossigyn of the USSR. The Soviet leader and the president subsequently announced that the bilateral negotiations over the 1973 SALT II talks were ?moving forward in a productive climate?. According to Secretary of State Nixon, the agreement will be scheduled for signature over the second half of 1976 (and likely produce good pictures of Nelson Rockefeller in the midst of his reelection campaign).


Conservative Republicans opposed to the president



Among other conservatives, Senator Barry Goldwater expressed criticism of the Helsinki Accords signed by President Rockefeller

Back home, President Rockefeller received praise from most Democrats and the moderate Republicans. However, many conservatives in congress were unsatisfied over the accords and the fact that the president flew half way around the world to give communist leaders such an important platform. Senator Barry Goldwater (R-AZ) told the press the agreement was ?a paper tiger, since it can?t be enforced if violated?. Members of the administration defended the accords; Vice President Gerald Ford spoke of ?the most important step towards lasting peace in Europe that has been taken in decades.? Defense Secretary George Romney said the accords are also a strong sign for all those who accused his boss of neglecting Europe in favor of his Latin America policy.


August 6, 1975: Before summer recess, President Rockefeller vetoes over 1 billion dollars in spending



Shortly before the congressional summer recess begun, President Nelson Rockefeller vetoed a dozen of bills reached his desk, worth over one billion dollars in spending. Some vetoes were already expected in advance, but it came as a surprise Rocky killed that much expenditures with the stroke of his pen. The mostly Democratic-drafted legislation included programs for farmers, additional funds for other social programs and even additional equipment for the military and military-related social services. As the White House announced, the president was concerned over the budget deficit and inflation caused by exessive government spending. Inflation was still amjor issue for Americans in the summer of 1975, although the economy showed some signs for improvement over most recent months. In a public statement, the administration sees these spending proposals more of the category ?nice to have? rather than necessary. As expected, the move drove criticism, especially from the sponsors of course, but most fellow Republicans and some Southern Democrats backed the chief executive. A veto-override was not possible due to the congressional recess (so-called pocket veto). Nevertheless, the vetoes would most likely have been sustained anyway.


August 17, 1975: Lloyd Bentsen is running for president!



Senator Lloyd Bentsen is running for president in 1976 on a platform of moderate liberalism and is seen as a strong contender, having already picked up three important endorsements outside his state

Now it is official: Senator Lloyd Bentsen (D-TX) announced his candidacy for president in Texas before thousands of cheering supporters. After LBJ, he wants to reclaim the White House for Texas Democrats on a platform of moderate liberalism. Bentsen, 54 years old, serving since 1971 after being a congressman, begun fundraising back in late 1974 and has outraised most of his competitors so far. In 1970, he knocked off incumbent senator Ralph Yabourough for the nomination, thus pointing out he has ?always been a fighter? during the address. However, Bentsen hasn?t built wide campaign organization so far but is considered a formidable contender, who has been polled in fourth place for the nomination over quite some time now. However, he picked up endorsements from several Texas officeholders and, most notably, West Virginia Senator and Majority Whip Robert Byrd, Florida Governor Reubin Askew and Florida Senator Lawton Chiles.


August 20, 1975: Mo Udall announces presidential bid!



On August 20, 1975, Representative Mo Udall became the third Democrat to announce his bid for the presidency

And the third Democrat running for president made his ambitions public: Congressman Mo Udall (D-AZ) is in for the nomination battle. During his announcement in Arizona, he presented himself a fresh alternative with a legislative record in the House. ?It is time for new thinking and move America forward with a liberal vision in the tradition of the New Deal and the Great Society?, he told his supporters. He also took aim at the administration?s fiscal restraint, referring to President Rockefeller?s most recent vetoes, and attacked the war on drug?s conduct by the Justice Department. The 52 year old representative has been an ally of Robert Kennedy for quite a while and was under consideration for a job in a potential RFK administration, but is nevertheless regarded as an outsider for the nomination. A New York Times report pointed out that no president came directly out of the House of Representatives into the Oval Office for almost a century and suggested Udall is actually ?running to be McGovern?s vice president.?


August 31, 1975: New Gallup polls, including for 1976

A slowly improving economy and the positive news on foreign policy give President Rockefeller a modest rise in the polls.

The Democratic presidential nomination, which is now polled on a more frequent basis, still has George McGovern in the lead, but Lloyd Bentsen and Mo Udall get an announcement bump. Scoop Jackson's numbers, however, have shown little move. Jimmy Carter again lost ground is now in fourth place. Earlier this year and throughout 1974, he was either in first or second place. It may change as soon as he announces his candidacy, which is scheduled for September.


President Rockefeller job approval
Approve: 47%
Disapprove: 44%


1976 Democratic Party presidential nomination


Senator George McGovern: 22%
Senator Edmund Muskie: 17%
Senator Lloyd Bentsen: 16%
Former Governor Jimmy Carter: 14%
Representative Mo Udall: 9%
Senator Scoop Jackson: 6%
Senator Frank Church: 3%
Governor Milton Shapp: 1%
Someone else/undecided: 12%

[President Johnson]

September 4, 1975: Jimmy Carter is in!



Former Georgia Governor Jimmy Carter has officially thrown his hat into the ring on September 4, 1975

Since the loss in the 1972 presidential election as RFK’s running mate, Jimmy Carter was seen as an obvious contender for the presidency for 1976. The former Georgia governor carefully prepared a run for at least a year right now and quietly assembled a campaign staff since leaving office in January. On September 4, 1975, he announced in Plains, Georgia, his candidacy for the presidency. In his announcement address to a few hundred supporters, he focused on domestic policies and outlined a positive vision for America. Unorthodox for a Democrat, Carter also emphasized the need to reorganize the government apparatus and make it more efficient, similar to what he accomplished in Georgia and similar to what President Rockefeller said he is going to do. He briefly touched foreign policy and promised he would put human rights on top of the agenda. Political observers wrote that his policies were similar to what Robert Kennedy proposed.

Shortly after announcing his candidacy, Carter picked up notable endorsements outside his state: Senator and former Governor Albert Brewer of Alabama, Senator Stuart Symington of Missouri and Senator Alan Cranston of California as well as 20 congressmen from all over America expressed their support. Governor Bobby Kennedy, who is still seen as de-facto leader of the party along with Majority Leader Humphrey, again reaffirmed that he won’t make an endorsement before the nomination settled. But he spoke in very favorable terms of his former running mate when asked to comment on the Carter campaign.

Jimmy Carter is considered a favorite for the Democratic nomination, but he has, according to polls, lost some support over the past few months. Senator Lloyd Bentsen has overtaken the former governor in the most recent survey after declaring his candidacy. The battle between Carter and Bentsen is going to be a closely watched one in the primaries, since both are Southerners and need the region badly to have a chance at the nomination. However, their competition may split the vote in some states of the South and allow other contenders to take advantage of it.


September 8, 1975: Frank Church announces presidential bid!



On September 8, 1975, Senator Frank Church (D-ID) announced his presidential campaign in Boise, Idaho

Hardly a surprise was the announcement of Senator Frank Church from Idaho to seek the Democratic nomination. In Boise, Idaho, he declared to “seek new policies and make the Democratic Party the nation’s leading political force” again. “Honesty, experience and opportunity” were to three main words of his campaign. Senator Church pledged a full return to the Great Society and a continuation on détente policies abroad.

Although polling in single digits so far, Church has a strong base of support in the Rocky Mountain states and parts of the great plains. Whether that will be enough to be a factor on the way the Democratic nomination is another question that only time can answer.


September 20, 1975: President Rockefeller signs major laws on education, infrastructure and energy



While others are already on the campaign trail, President Nelson Rockefeller demonstrates he is actively on the job to run the federal government

While the presidential campaign on the Democratic side slowly begins to take shape, President Rockefeller has yet showed little campaign efforts. Instead, he made the impression of a busy chief executive keep the country at peace and working on domestic problems. After he gave a major victory to the conservatives with a bunch of vetoes on spending bills, his administration now successfully worked out an education bill to expand special education for handicapped children. The law that President Rockefeller signed on September 20 required all public schools accepting federal funds to provide equal access to education and one free meal a day for children with physical and/or mental disabilities. The bill as an amendment to a law enacted under the Johnson Administration.

The same day, the president was also able to sign a law for the construction of three major dams in Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas. All three of them will produce enough electricity for each over 100,000 people and create thousands of jobs. A New York Times report spoke of “Rocky’s Southern Strategy”, since a high proportional share of infrastructure projects begun under his administration were invested in the Southern United States. “President Rockefeller’s southern strategy consists an economic message instead of divisive social issues since the president ultimately believes prosperity for all will be a major factor towards less racial tensions and more equal rights”, the article reads.

[America Needs R'hllor]

I like the alternative energy initiative. Also, I'd root for Scoop Jackson but honestly, every current candidate would be a great President. What a time would this be to be alive.

[President Johnson]

I like the alternative energy initiative. Also, I'd root for Scoop Jackson but honestly, every current candidate would be a great President. What a time would this be to be alive.

That's true except for Jimmy Carter (massive FF personally, but not so capable president despite noble intentions). However, I promise it won't stay the way that all contenders are great in this TL

[America Needs R'hllor]

I like the alternative energy initiative. Also, I'd root for Scoop Jackson but honestly, every current candidate would be a great President. What a time would this be to be alive.

That's true except for Jimmy Carter (massive FF personally, but not so capable president despite noble intentions). However, I promise it won't stay the way that all contenders are great in this TL

Where are you planning to get with this TL, chronology-wise? Just Rocky's two terms or further to the future?

[President Johnson]

September 24, 1975: George McGovern 1976! The Democratic frontrunner is officially in!



Senator George McGovern has made his long awaited annoucement to run for president

“America, are you ready for new leadership towards a brighter and more just future? Are you ready to leave the status-quo behind us and begin a new chapter of civil rights, true economic justice and a peaceful world?”, asked Senator George McGovern approximately 5,000 supporters in South Dakota, when he officially declared what everybody already knew since at least 1973: He was running for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1976. “It is time for true justice in the federal government, both for our people at home as well as around the world. The Rockefeller/Ford/Nixon/Agnew governing approach, heavily influenced by Mr. Reagan and Mr. Goldwater, has not produced the best results for America. Let’s change that! America deserves better”, he said during a compassionate speech. In his remarks, McGovern presented his platform of “equal rights for all”, promising an expansion of the welfare state with Medicare for all, paid by higher taxes for the wealthy and less military spending. McGovern further emphasized to “radically change the failed war on drugs”, which he called the “Agnew-Doctrine”. He also called for a repeal of the energy-market deregulation implemented under the current administration.

Over the past twelve months, Senator McGovern emerged as the front-runner for the nomination in a field of several candidates after he had to quit his campaign pretty early in 1972. Along with Senator Edmund Muskie, who is expected to announce his candidacy within a few weeks, McGovern has the best shot at the nomination according to political observers. However, he underperformed most other Democrats in surveys for the general election against the president.

His rivals already took aim at the senator: Jimmy Carter said that McGovern would have “a hard-time winning against President Rockefeller” and Lloyd Bentsen denounced his colleague’s economic policies as “irrational and one-sided”. Bentsen also slammed the promise to end the war on drugs. Scoop Jackson said McGovern would be “naïve on foreign policy and be a gift for Moscow”. While members of the administration didn’t comment on the McGovern announcement, congressional Republicans already launched public attacks against the candidate. Ronald Reagan, still frequently on television, slammed McGovern as “out of touch elitist whose campaign theme was nothing but higher taxes and endless regulation”. Reagan reaffirmed his support for his old rival Nelson Rockefeller in the 1976 election although he disagreed on some policy matters with the incumbent.


September 30, 1975: New Gallup polls, including for 1976

President Rockefeller's approval rating continues its slow recovery, standing at 48% in a late-September Gallup poll. He also holds a positive net approval of four points and leads all potential challengers for the general election. Meanwhile, George McGovern gets an announcement bump within the Democratic field. Carter's one is meanwhile hardly measureable with Lloyd Bentsen overperforming expectations. Frank Church also managed to improve his standing, being in a distant fifth place.


President Rockefeller job approval
Approve: 48%
Disapprove: 44%


1976 Republican Party presidential nomination

President Nelson Rockefeller: 88%
Someone else/undecided: 12%


1976 Democratic Party presidential nomination

Senator George McGovern: 26%
Senator Edmund Muskie: 18%
Former Governor Jimmy Carter: 17%
Senator Lloyd Bentsen: 17%
Senator Frank Church: 7%
Representative Mo Udall: 4%
Senator Scoop Jackson: 4%
Governor Milton Shapp: 1%
Someone else/undecided: 6%


1976 hypothetical general election match-ups

Nelson Rockefeller (R, inc.): 51%
George McGovern (D): 43%

Nelson Rockefeller (R, inc.): 50%
Edmund Muskie (D): 43%

Nelson Rockefeller (R, inc.): 49%
Jimmy Carter (D): 42%

Nelson Rockefeller (R, inc.): 49%
Lloyd Bentsen (D): 42%

Nelson Rockefeller (R, inc.): 52%
Scoop Jackson (D): 41%

Nelson Rockefeller (R, inc.): 52%
Mo Udall (D): 40%

Nelson Rockefeller (R, inc.): 51%
Frank Church (D): 42%

Nelson Rockefeller (R, inc.): 51%
Milton Shapp (D): 41%


October 2, 1975: President Rockefeller appoints bi-partisan delegation for Panama Canal negotiations


At President Rockefeller's request, former Secretary of State Nicholas Katzenbach (l) and diplomat John Scali (r) will lead the American delegation for talks about a return of the Panama Canal to the Latin American country

The status of the Panama Canal, in 1975, was an issue for over a decade. A majority of Democrats and approximately half of the Republicans, mostly moderates, were open on negotiations to turn the canal over to Panama. During his administration, President Lyndon B. Johnson already indicated his readiness for talks after a 1964 incident in the canal zone, but the issue wasn’t on top of his foreign policy agenda. President Nelson Rockefeller reopened the matter shortly after taking office and reaffirmed his willingness to negotiate in the announcement of the second Good Neighbor Policy in 1974. Over the spring and summer of 1975, Secretary of State Richard Nixon quietly begun preparations for direct talks during various meetings with Panamanian officials. Now that his efforts were successful, President Nelson Rockefeller appointed an American delegation for concrete bilateral negotiations. On October 2, he introduced the main people at the White House. The delegation will consist six representatives for the United States. To lead the delegation, the president selected former Secretary of State Nicholas Katzenbach, who served from 1969 to 1973 under LBJ, and career diplomat John Scali, whom Rockefeller named Ambassador to Mexico after taking office in 1973 (a post Scali now quits). Both represent their respective political parties and strongly favor the talks. Other members are newly appointed Deputy Secretary of State Robert Finch (a Nixon ally who lost the 1974 senate race in California to Alan Cranston), a Republican, former Vietnam chief negotiator Cyrus Vance, a Democrat, as well as two sitting members of congress: Representative Pete McCloskey (R-CA) and Senator Lawton Chiles (D-FL). In addition, there will be a few dozens of staffers and professionals working for the team. Secretary of State Richard Nixon and National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger are no formal members of the delegation, but will be heavily involved and directly report to the president on all major developments.



Before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Secretary of State Richard Nixon defended the administration's position and promised to lawmakers "due process", meaning that any agreement will be put before members of congress



Meanwhile, former California Governor Ronald Reagan and his conservative allies expressed opposition to a turn-over of the canal. "We built it, paid for it and ought to keep it", he said.

Conservatives, in congress and out, publically feuded with the president over the issue. Former California governor and 1972 Republican runner-up Ronald Reagan, together with Senator Paul Laxalt (R-NV), spoke out against the administration’s move. “The United States built the canal and paid for it. It is American property. Therefore, we ought the keep it”, the Gipper said at a Republican fundraiser. Laxalt labeled a turn-over of the canal a “giveaway” and said he would fight against any treaty coming to the senate floor. According to Vice President Gerald Ford the administration wants congress to participate in the process and submit a treaty if the talks end up with an agreement; a reason pro-treaty lawmakers Pete McCloskey and Lawton Chiles were chosen to join the delegation. On the president’s behalf, Richard Nixon, during a testimony before the senate committee on foreign relations ruled out an Executive Agreement that is only signed by the head of state and not approved by lawmakers. Nixon expects the negotiations, scheduled to begin on December 1, to last for three years or less. As location, Mexico City was ultimately chosen after the Mexican government made an offer both sides agreed to.

[President Johnson]

I like the alternative energy initiative. Also, I'd root for Scoop Jackson but honestly, every current candidate would be a great President. What a time would this be to be alive.

That's true except for Jimmy Carter (massive FF personally, but not so capable president despite noble intentions). However, I promise it won't stay the way that all contenders are great in this TL

Where are you planning to get with this TL, chronology-wise? Just Rocky's two terms or further to the future?

Not clear yet, but beyond Rocky would be interesting. We'll see how long he makes it since he actually died in 1979.

[Kingpoleon]

Bentsen/Askew or Carter/Symington are the only tickets I could see threatening Rockefeller.

That being said, I’d like to see some focus on this space issue.

[President Johnson]

October 7, 1975: It’s official – President Rockefeller is running for reelection



Vice President Gerald Ford will again be President Nelson Rockefeller's running mate

As Nelson Rockefeller already confirmed during his announcement speech, Gerald Ford will again be his running mate in the 1976 election. Both men have developed an excellent working and very friendly personal relationship; First Lady Happy Rockefeller and Second Lady Betty Ford have became personal friends as well, especially since both were treated for breast cancer in late 1974. Ford has been a loyal vice president who helped the administration with passing legislation and working with lawmakers (some called him “the president’s ambassador to congress”). Behind the scenes, he differed on occasion when it comes to fiscal restraint, but the president always had an open ear for his second-in-command’s recommendations. In addition, Ford staunchly supported the foreign policy agenda and represented his boss well on the foreign missions he went on. Within the administration, on Capitol Hill and across America the vice president is highley respected for his personal integrity and his kind manner what brought him the nickname "Mr. Nice Guy".


The Rockefeller strategy: Appear presidential, focus on the job, and make use of the bicentennial

Media observers and political experts across the spectrum agree that President Rockefeller’s main strategy in this election is to appear presidential. “He wants to be seen as a world leader, who stands for a strong America in a peaceful world and someone who is busy with running the country here at home”, a New York Times report reads. “Mr. Rockefeller wants to look like a president above parties”, the article further states, “and the fact that he is a pragmatic politician able to garner support from both parties is a huge asset here and perfectly fits this narrative; the bicentennial in 1976 further helps this cause”. The Washington Post wrote: “We probably won’t see a lot of direct attacks on his opponents. President Rockefeller will likely ignore them and present his vision to America and use the opportunities he has to promote his agenda and his record as head of state. This whole combination will make it difficult for the Democrats to counter, especially that they neither have the charisma of Robert Kennedy nor the political skills of an incumbent named Lyndon Johnson.”

Within the Republican Party, President Rockefeller is expected to face no or no significant opposition for the nomination. Ronald Reagan made it clear very early that he was not running this year and instead endorsed Rocky for a second term. He’s (probably) focused on 1980, hoping to garner support from the moderate wings as well now that he leaves Rockefeller as the sole contender. Other conservatives seem to rally around the president as well despite their differences on some issues. Senator Paul Laxalt (R-NV) emphasized the need for a unified party ahead of the nomination. "We must beat McGovern and his extreme ideas", the senator and Reagan friend said. Although the election is still a year away with a lot of things that can happen in between, President Rockefeller is according to poltical writers favored to win reelection, especially if the economy continues to recover as it did for a three months now. With the bicentennial, the president will enjoy a very high public presence that allows him on define the issues of the campaign and put his accomplishments in a positive light.

[President Johnson]

Bentsen/Askew or Carter/Symington are the only tickets I could see threatening Rockefeller.

That being said, I’d like to see some focus on this space issue.

Yeah, I agree that the southerners would be the strongest candidates in the Democratic field, though the South alone isn't nearly enough to win, given that Rockefeller is a Republican who overperforms in the North East and New England while the West coast is still more Republican leaning in the 1970s.

I'll make space an issue in the '76 campaign

[President Johnson]

Autumn 1975: New York City on the brink of bankruptcy



"Rocky to City: You're saved!", with this headline, President Rockefeller made news on October 15, 1975

On October 15, two days after a meeting with Mayor Abraham Beame and Governor Bobby Kennedy, President Nelson Rockefeller issued a statement that the federal government would grant the City of New York a federal bailout to resolve the fiscal crisis within a very short period of time. According to the president, he agreed with congressional leaders for a package to help the city through a bailout. The Democrats were largely on his side, as was the moderate GOP wing, but conservatives were skeptical. They worried the federal debt as well as that such a step may open the door for other cities or even states to request for federal bailouts. Even members of his own administration expressed some reservations in private, such as Vice President Gerald Ford and Commerce Secretary John Connally. Others like Treasury Secretary Ray Shafer was strongly in favor of the measure. Once Rocky made his decision clear to request for action on Capitol Hill, all members of the cabinet publically supported their boss. The president reputedly assured them that this was not a carte blanche for other levels of government to receive federal bailouts; but the importance and urgency in NYC’s case convinced him to demand action from lawmakers. The congress, with Leader Humphrey and Speaker Albert at the forefront, acted very quickly; on October 21, President Rockefeller as able to sign a bailout bill into law: The federal government granted a loan of eight billion dollars and were to be repaid within six years with interest. In addition, the state of New York under the leadership of Governor Robert Kennedy granted some interest-free loans.

In New York, President Rockefeller’s handling of the issue got him praise from liberals and moderates as well as conservatives. An October 29 NYT-poll showed the president’s approval rating in the state taking a bump: It rose from 47% in August to 58% now.


October 26, 1975: Pennsylvania Governor Milton Shapp ends speculation over presidential run: He's out! Endorses Muskie



Governor Milton Shapp of Pennsylvania takes himself out of the presidential contest and endorses Senator Edmund Muskie instead

Milton Shapp, governor of Pennsylvania since 1971, was long considered a potential presidential contender. The 1976 election was seen as the (most likely) last chance for the 64 year old chief executive of the battleground state that awards a big number of electoral votes. On October 26, 1975, he ended speculation over a White House bid and announced that he would not run for America’s highest office. “I have decided that this is not my time and I have to stay focused on my job as governor for the coming years”, he said. Shapp, who won reelection last year, added that he would support any Democrat in the upcoming election. However, he expressed his support for Maine Senator Edmund Muskie as Democratic nominee. “Despite my admiration for all of the candidates we have, Senator Muskie is the one to win against President Rockefeller and the man to get the job done”, Shapp remarked. Muskie himself has not officially declared his candidacy, but that was scheduled for some time in November 1975. Muskie is likely to be George McGovern’s top-rival for the party’s nomination.


October 31, 1975: New Gallup polls, including for 1976

By the end of October 1975, President Rockefeller continued his slow rise in the polls thanks to an improving economy and the successes on the foreign stage. Within the Democratic presidential field, George McGovern remains in a solid position, leading the pack outside the margin of error. Lloyd Bentsen continues to exceed expectations and finishes ahead of fellow Southerner Jimmy Carter in this month's poll. Will it last? Or does Bentsen even have a long shot to take nomination? For the general election, President Rockefeller has nothing to worry to far: He has a healthy lead over any challenger.


President Rockefeller job approval
Approve: 50%
Disapprove: 44%


1976 Democratic Party presidential nomination

Senator George McGovern: 24%
Senator Edmund Muskie: 17%
Senator Lloyd Bentsen: 15%
Former Governor Jimmy Carter: 14%
Senator Frank Church: 8%
Senator Scoop Jackson: 6%
Representative Mo Udall: 5%
Governor Milton Shapp: 1%
Someone else/undecided: 10%


1976 hypothetical general election match-ups

Nelson Rockefeller (R, inc.): 52%
George McGovern (D): 40%

Nelson Rockefeller (R, inc.): 51%
Edmund Muskie (D): 44%

Nelson Rockefeller (R, inc.): 52%
Jimmy Carter (D): 41%

Nelson Rockefeller (R, inc.): 50%
Lloyd Bentsen (D): 41%

Nelson Rockefeller (R, inc.): 53%
Scoop Jackson (D): 40%

Nelson Rockefeller (R, inc.): 54%
Mo Udall (D): 38%

Nelson Rockefeller (R, inc.): 53%
Frank Church (D): 41%

[President Johnson]

November 3 – 5, 1975: Major race riot strikes Detroit!



Detroit was hit by a major race riot in early November 1975

Eight years after the tragic race riots in Detroit, Michigan, the city again witnessed a tragic incident that led to a major riot. The turmoil begun in the early hours of November 2, when a white police officer shot a 20-year old African American who was accused of theft in a grocery store. According to witnesses of the housing block, the officer immediately opened fire and wounded the young man in his back that he died before an emergency call could be made. Later on, the allegations turned out to be false. The situation further escalated after the local police chief decided not to suspend the shooting officer from service until the incident was cleared. On the noon of November 3, several thousands of demonstrators, most black but even some whites, began the express their dissatisfaction. Throughout the evening and the night, the situation got of hand: several cars were burned, stores destroyed and police officers attacked, one being nearly killed. The next morning, it first seemed that the situation calmed down, but on the afternoon approximately 2,000 violent demonstrators attacked two local police stations. During this exchange, some officers opened fire and killed four more demonstrators and wounded over 50. Over 30 police cars were burned that day alone, hundreds of windows were broken. That evening Governor Milliken decided to send 1,500 National Guard troopers to the city to restore law and order. During the operation, over 200 violent protesters were wounded, one more killed by accident. On November 5 at noon, the situation was considered “under control”, although smaller incidents continued to occur.

President Nelson Rockefeller was soon informed about the situation and offered national troopers to help local authorities. From the afternoon of November 4, he received permanent briefings on the developments. On November 5 at 7 p.m., the president gave a nationwide live address in which he condemned any violence. He described the incident that killed the innocent young man as a “national tragedy”. The surprise came at the end when he said: “After conversations with local politicians, I will visit the city of Detroit and invite members of the black community, the police, religious leaders and members of my administration for a round table to discuss solutions. I am proud to announce that Attorney General Edward Brooke will join me in this important effort.”

On November 5, the said officer had to be suspended from duty after President Rockefeller himself made a phone call to the local police chief and the mayor. Some African American leaders, especially among the religious community, praised the president’s prompt and direct response. Leaders in congress like Hubert Humphrey also found positive words for Rocky’s handling of the issue.


November 10, 1975: President Rockefeller visits Detroit and turns directly to demonstrators



Surprisingly and spontanious, President Nelson Rockefeller went to demonstrators before the meeting site and listened to them

Five days after the tragic race riots in Detroit, Michigan, President Rockefeller together with his attorney general Edward Brooke, the first African American in that office, visited the city and held a round table to discuss police violence, racism and violence. However, the most stunning part came when peaceful demonstrators before the meeting place shouted: “Rocky: We demand actions, not nice words” and the president chose to seek a direct dialogue. With just a handful of Secret Agents, who advised the president not to go, Rocky directly walked to the protesters and talked to them. It wasn’t known what exactly they talked about, but the president reportedly condemned violence on both sides. Nevertheless, he promised to do everything in his power to enforce civil rights laws and urge the police to hire more African Americans. To accomplish this, the chief executive said he wanted to invite governors and mayors to the White House and pass a “Police officer job training program” that is designed to get more blacks into the police force. Attorney General Brooke promised to return in a few months to review the local progress that has been made. He urged other cities to initiate more dialogues like this and offered federal assistance.

In the end, President Rockefeller’s courageous and spontaneous move to go to the crowd of demonstrators and show empathy with just little security earned him great respect, especially among the black community.


November 20, 1975: Edmund Muskie announces presidential bid



After some delay, Senator Edmun Muskie (D-ME) has officially entered the presidental contest

Originally scheduled for November 5, Maine Senator Edmund Muskie finally announced his presidential bid for 1976. He had to postpone the announcement in light of the Detroit riots since all national attention was on the incident and President Rockefeller’s handling of it. On November 20, he formally kicked off his campaign in Maine and immediately moved to New Hampshire and then Iowa for campaign events. Muskie is considered one of the front-runners and has polled stronger than Senator George McGovern, who currently leads in polls for the primaries, for the general election. He is also seen as someone who can appeal to more moderate Democrats while receiving decent support from the liberals as well. Republican strategists, according to insider information, see him as a very formidable challenger and think he may be a vice presidential candidate if he fails to win the top-spot himself.

Muskie picked up important endorsements from governors and congressmen across the nation after declaring his candidacy. He also reportedly Majority Leader Hubert Humphrey’s favorite, although he formally pledged to remain neutral (just as Governor Robert Kennedy). A decent number of former Johnson cabinet members such as Nicholas Katzenbach also came out in support of Senator Muskie.


November 30, 1975: New Gallup polls, including for 1976

President Rockefeller benefits from his handling of the Detroit race riot and an improving economy. He stands now at 52% approval. After his announcement, Senator Muskie gets a bump within Democratic voters and has regained a strong second position, being in striking distance to Senator McGovern. Muskie is a heavy favorite for the New Hampshire primary, which was, together with Iowa (where McGovern is ahead), polled for the first time in this cycle. However, both states give President Rockefeller an advantage for the general election. Both states were polled with Muskie and McGovern only.


President Rockefeller job approval
Approve: 52%
Disapprove: 44%


1976 Democratic Party presidential nomination

Senator George McGovern: 22%
Senator Edmund Muskie: 20%
Senator Lloyd Bentsen: 15%
Former Governor Jimmy Carter: 15%
Senator Scoop Jackson: 9%
Senator Frank Church: 8%
Representative Mo Udall: 4%
Someone else/undecided: 7%


1976 Democratic Party Iowa Caucus

Senator George McGovern: 28%
Senator Edmund Muskie: 23%
Senator Frank Church: 14%
Senator Lloyd Bentsen: 8%
Senator Scoop Jackson: 7%
Former Governor Jimmy Carter: 6%
Representative Mo Udall: 6%
Someone else/undecided: 18%


1976 Democratic Party New Hampshire Primary

Senator Edmund Muskie: 41%
Senator George McGovern: 16%
Senator Scoop Jackson: 14%
Senator Frank Church: 7%
Senator Lloyd Bentsen: 7%
Former Governor Jimmy Carter: 5%
Representative Mo Udall: 3%
Someone else/undecided: 7%


Iowa general election

Nelson Rockefeller (R, inc.): 54%
George McGovern (D): 39%

Nelson Rockefeller (R, inc.): 51%
Edmund Muskie (D): 40%


New Hampshire general election

Nelson Rockefeller (R, inc.): 61%
George McGovern (D): 33%

Nelson Rockefeller (R, inc.): 56%
Edmund Muskie (D): 38%

[Joe Biden 2024]

Muskie 76!

[President Johnson]

December 1 – 4, 1975: President Rockefeller’s Asia trip

Normalization of US-China relations in meeting with Mao: A diplomatic recognition soon?



During an Asia trip, President Nelson Rockefeller and his National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger met with Chinese leader Mao to discuss relations between the two powers

At the beginning of the new month, President Nelson Rockefeller undertook a four day trip to Asia. He was joined by high ranking officials of his administration such as National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger, White House Chief of Staff Malcolm Wilson and Deputy Secretary of State Robert Finch. His first stop was the most spectacular: Beijing. It was the second time an American president was hosted by Mao after then-President Lyndon Johnson made a visit in December 1970. As the president and the chairman stated after the meetings concluded, both sides agreed to prepare for negotiations to a similar disarmament treaty than the one currently underway with the Soviet Union. The latter one is obviously been useful to pressure Beijing to be engaged in the talks. The American press soon raised the possibility that the Rockefeller Administration may recognize the people’s republic diplomatically in the coming months or after the 1976 presidential election. The White House and State Department did not deny these reports.


Measurable progress in South Vietnam


In December 1975, Nelson Rockefeller for the first time as president visited South Vietnam. His counterpart in Saigon reported upon the progress that has been made on peace and the economy

After his Beijing visit, President Rockefeller was welcomed in Saigon, South Vietnam. Together with President Thieu, he announced that progress has been made and that over half of US aid would no longer be necessary. For the first time, in 1975, the South Vietnamese economy has stopped from declining and is even projected to slightly grow. The military situation has also been remarkably stable over the past twelve months with just minor incidents and sabotage acts from the North. Especially since South Vietnam, together with their American allies, begun to strengthen their border with fences and other facilities. Increased presence of troops and intelligence helped to reduce the number of guerilla fighters, although that was never halted. President Rockefeller expressed optimism that South Vietnam could take a similar direction than South Korea two decades earlier.

On his way back to America, the president made a brief stop on Tokyo for political talks with the Japanese government.


December 9, 1975: HUD Secretary Ivan Allen launches “Democrats for Rockefeller” campaign



HUD Secretary Ivan Allen, the only Democrat in the cabinet, has formally launched a campaign to promote Democratic cross-over support for President Rockefeller's reelection

HUD Secretary Ivan Allen, a progressive Georgia Democrat who has been a surprise pick for his job, has officially launched a “Democrats for Rockefeller” campaign to attract Democratic support for President Nelson Rockefeller’s reelection bid. It has been rumored for a while that some Democratic groups may throw their support behind the president. “The president has worked on a bipartisan basis to solve our domestic problems and been a staunch proponent of a strong foreign policy that ensures world peace and economic safety”, the former Atlanta Mayor said at an event in his hometown. “And while I believe we have excellent and competent men running on the Democratic side, I urge my fellow Democrats to support President Nelson Rockefeller and Vice President Gerald Ford in the upcoming election”, he added. Allen, an early and vocal supporter of civil rights, called upon African Americans to vote for President Rockefeller in the election. Allen and his campaign want to target blacks in the South, hoping to get southern states to vote for Rocky. How they will turn out in 1976 is going to be a wildcard, especially if neither Lloyd Bentsen nor Jimmy Carter get on the ticket. So far, there are no signs of a third-party ticket from Southern Democrats like Lester Maddox' run in 1972, but a late entry from a Dixiecrat might still happen. Black turnout in the South may increase again in the next election due to the Rockefeller Administration’s tough enforcement of civil rights and voting rights laws in the South. Especially under Attorney General Edward Brooke, the Justice Department has pursued strong execution of these Johnson-era laws (just earlier this year, President Rockefeller signed another extension of the 1965 Voting Rights Act into law).

[OSR stands with Israel]

I would guess I would have been a bigger fan of Rockefeller's foreign policy than Domestic

[President Johnson]

I would guess I would have been a bigger fan of Rockefeller's foreign policy than Domestic

May be true for a lot of conservatives, though many opposed detente and the Panama Canal treaties that he and Ford advocated.

Foreign policy is usually less ideological; I think Reagan's second term foreign policy was not bad if you exclude Iran Contra.

[OSR stands with Israel]

I would guess I would have been a bigger fan of Rockefeller's foreign policy than Domestic

May be true for a lot of conservatives, though many opposed detente and the Panama Canal treaties that he and Ford advocated.

Foreign policy is usually less ideological; I think Reagan's second term foreign policy was not bad if you exclude Iran Contra.

I probably would have supported Detente until 1978(though not to the extent Carter supported it until then) until Communist Revolutions in Afghanistan and Central America probably would have made me turn against the policy of Detente. By 1979 I would have turned fully against it after the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan.

[President Johnson]

I would guess I would have been a bigger fan of Rockefeller's foreign policy than Domestic

May be true for a lot of conservatives, though many opposed detente and the Panama Canal treaties that he and Ford advocated.

Foreign policy is usually less ideological; I think Reagan's second term foreign policy was not bad if you exclude Iran Contra.

I probably would have supported Detente until 1978(though not to the extent Carter supported it until then) until Communist Revolutions in Afghanistan and Central America probably would have made me turn against the policy of Detente. By 1979 I would have turned fully against it after the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan.

I largely agree with this. The question is whether to Soviet Union grew more agressive because of detente itsself or Carter's weakness in foreign policy, that was, despite noble intentions, naive in many ways if you exclude the Camp David Accords. I happen to believe it was a combination of both and inner Soviet reasons. Mainly to distract from the tremendous problems the country suffered and that ultimately led to the empire's downfall by the late 1980s and early 1990s.

[President Johnson]

The state of the presidential race on New Year’s Eve


Senators Edmund Muskie and George McGovern are locked in a fight for the Democratic nomination ahead of the 1976 primaries

So far, the non-contest on the Republican side allows President Rockefeller and his surrogates to focus on his record in office and the policy proposals he made. The president himself has given just a handful of campaign speeches so far and instead tries to portray himself as "the man in charge" who is more concered in running the federal government. On his behalf, administration members and Vice President Gerald Ford attended a decent number of campaign events.

More interesting is the contest for the Democratic nomination, in which Senator George McGovern is leading the pack in recent polls. McGovern has long been a vocal critic of the Rockefeller Administration and hopes to benefit from his clear stances. Although he slowed down a little after his favorite opponent, former Attorney General Spiro Agnew, resigned in disgrace in early 1975, McGovern is still seen as the attack dog against the Republicans. But unlike Agnew, the other members of the administration, including the president himself, have hardly responded to his criticisms. McGovern has shifted his attention towards foreign policy, where the administration gets high grades in polls. Secretary of State Richard Nixon has become a frequent target, but he sheldom responded to the attacks. “There is no need to comment on everything a leftist senator says”, Secretary Nixon recently told a reporter, “we are focused on the job and getting our message out to the people in this upcoming election. For myself, I am focused the most on representing the president and our country in the world to make it a safer place for generations to come. Actions matter, not words”. McGovern’s top-competitor within the Democratic field, Senator Edmund Muskie, has running a steady second for a while. He may not be the most inspiring candidate of all times, but he has two things working in his favor: He seems to be the most electable candidate out of the field, polling ahead of McGovern, Carter and Bentsen, but still trailing President Rockefeller by a decent margin. He is also a pragmatist. “If you want results, I’ll be your choice”, he constantly told supporters, "our campaign is about ideas. The ideas, that Democrats from FDR to JFK and LBJ fought for".


Senator Lloyd Bentsen and former Governor Jimmy Carter are the runner-ups, but Bentsen has recently overtaken Carter's stuggling campaign

Meanwhile, Jimmy Carter, the former Georgia governor and RFK’s running mate in 1972, who was seen an early favorite for the nomination has struggled to gain traction since announcing his bid for president earlier this year. He has been among the leading candidates in Democratic polls for most of the time after the 1972 election, but has lost momentum in recent months. In December, he secretly had to cut campaign personnel in New Hampshire to focus on Iowa. With Senator Lloyd Bentsen of Texas gaining support, the Carter campaign is put under increasing pressure. Especially in South, where the Georgian hoped to win enough contests early in the primary cycle, to gain enough momentum to wrap up the nomination. Now it seems that Bentsen may pursue this exact same strategy for himself. What may work in his favor: He has received several endorsements from current and former elected officials in the South, such as Senator and former governor Albert Brewer (D-AL) or Senate Majority Whip Robert Byrd (D-WV). Carter initially hoped for Robert Kennedy’s endorsement, but the New York governor, the most popular Democrat in America, pledged to stay neutral during the primaries and then support whoever the Democratic nominee is. Therefore, if someone wanted to bet on a Southerner leading the ticket, Bentsen may just be the man. Even if he falls short in the end, he may be angling for the vice presidential spot under McGovern or Muskie.

The remaining contenders, Frank Church, Mo Udall and Scoop Jackson, have difficulty to gain support outside their homestates. It remains to be seen whether they can gain enough traction to survive beyond the first primaries or whether they will quickly result into a two or three way race between the frontrunners.


John Connally: "Democratic candidates are already losers"



Commerce Secretary John Connally told the press that he has little doubt his boss will get reelected

On December 30, 1975, Commerce Secretary John Connally made headlines when he called the candidates running for his former party's nomination out. The Republican-turned former Texas Governor said during an interview with the Washington Post that the Democratic contenders are "already losers". "On one side, you have fellows like McGovern who is going hard-left in a center-oriented country like this is, with a message that is not resounding with the public", he told the Post, "on the other side you have some nice fellows with a pragmatic approach, like Muskie, who essentially says 'Rockefeller is somehow bad, but I continue almost all his policies and do a better job'. And then you have two Southerners, both nice guys, with little vision for the nation. The other players are irrelevant or are trying to get attention with ridiculous proposals like Scoop Jackson, who could talk us into a war". Connally added that he likes almost any of the candidates, but neither of them is "presidential material" in his opinion. The secretary expressed his assment that President Rockefeller will smash the Democratic candidate, who ever it may be, in the November general election. He pointed to the improving economy, growth expectations and the "tall stance on the world stage", Rocky's charisma and ability to appeal to different voter factions across party lines as reasons why he expects his boss to win a decisive victory over any challenger.

Asked whether he has presidential ambitions himself, he responded that he might see himself in a presidential race in the distant future. "As a Republican, of course", he answered for which party's nomination he'd run. Connally early endorsed Nelson Rockefeller for president in 1972 and became a Republican. After his victory, Rocky rewared the Texan's support and made him Commerce Secretary. As such, he established closer relations to business and represented his boss and US commerce on foreign soil. He has also been appointed chief financial officer of President Rockefeller's ongoing reelection campaign. Rocky himself indicated that he wants the former Texas governor and personal friend of late President Lyndon Johnson to stay on in a second term.


December 31, 1975: New Gallup polls

President Rockefeller job approval
Approve: 50%
Disapprove: 43%


1976 Republican Party presidential nomination

President Nelson Rockefeller: 87%
Someone else/undecided: 13%


1976 Democratic Party presidential nomination

Senator George McGovern: 24%
Senator Edmund Muskie: 23%
Senator Lloyd Bentsen: 16%
Former Governor Jimmy Carter: 14%
Senator Frank Church: 8%
Representative Mo Udall:7%
Senator Scoop Jackson: 4%
Someone else/undecided: 4%


1976 Democratic Party Iowa Caucus

Senator George McGovern: 29%
Senator Edmund Muskie: 25%
Senator Frank Church: 13%
Senator Lloyd Bentsen: 11%
Senator Scoop Jackson: 5%
Former Governor Jimmy Carter: 5%
Representative Mo Udall: 5%
Someone else/undecided: 7%


1976 Democratic Party New Hampshire Primary

Senator Edmund Muskie: 44%
Senator George McGovern: 12%
Senator Scoop Jackson: 12%
Senator Frank Church: 9%
Senator Lloyd Bentsen: 8%
Representative Mo Udall: 4%
Former Governor Jimmy Carter: 3%
Someone else/undecided: 8%


1976 hypothetical general election match-ups

Nelson Rockefeller (R, inc.): 54%
George McGovern (D): 40%

Nelson Rockefeller (R, inc.): 51%
Edmund Muskie (D): 43%

Nelson Rockefeller (R, inc.): 54%
Jimmy Carter (D): 41%

Nelson Rockefeller (R, inc.): 53%
Lloyd Bentsen (D): 43%

Nelson Rockefeller (R, inc.): 55%
Scoop Jackson (D): 39%

Nelson Rockefeller (R, inc.): 52%
Mo Udall (D): 41%

Nelson Rockefeller (R, inc.): 53%
Frank Church (D): 41%

[President Johnson]

January 1, 1976: US economy officially out of recession

Good news for the Rockefeller Administration just at the beginning of the election year: During the fourth quarter of 1975, the economy grew 1.6% and is officially out of recession. Growth for the first quarter of 1976 is projected to be at least 2.5%. Inflation fell to just 8%. Still a high number, but a significant improvement from a year earlier. Unemployment is still at a high level, currently standing at 8.9%, but usually renewed growth takes a while to affect the labor market.


January 6, 1976: Senate Minority Leader Hugh Scott will retire



Senator John Glenn delivered the Democratic rebuttal to the State of the Union Address and used his past as astronaut to criticize the administration's cuts to the space program

For the Democratic response, Ohio Senator and former astronaut John Glenn has been chosen. Glenn became a senator in 1974. The senator criticized that President Rockefeller’s address as “the most unspecific in history”. “The president talked for 35 minutes, yet he remained extremely unspecific. Demanding a few funds here and there for some program with a nice headline, he hardly made concrete proposals. Maybe because he is running out of ideas or too tired to present them, or he has too much opposition from the right wing of his own party. We don’t know that. What we do know, is that the Democrats have better ideas that actually work for everyone in this country”. Glenn also used his past as astronaut to criticize the administration’s cuts to the space program. “The president cut funds shortly after taking office and never again asked congress to restart our space missions. America is lagging behind the Soviets while this same president tries to negotiate with Moscow. Now he demanded more money for science without naming details. A war in cancer is all he mentioned. That is a good idea, but way to less. Therefore my message is clear: America deserves better. By the end of the year, it is on our hands to make this change happen”, Senator Glenn closed his remarks.


January 31, 1976: New Gallup polls

Just ahead of the Iowa Caucus, George McGovern seems poised to win the first contest of his party. President Rockefeller is running without opposition for the Republican nomination as his approval rating is surging.

President Rockefeller job approval
Approve: 53%
Disapprove: 40%


1976 Democratic Party Iowa Caucus

Senator George McGovern: 30%
Senator Edmund Muskie: 22%
Senator Lloyd Bentsen: 13%
Senator Frank Church: 10%
Former Governor Jimmy Carter: 8%
Senator Scoop Jackson: 6%
Representative Mo Udall: 5%
Someone else/undecided: 5%

[President Johnson]

February 3, 1976

ELECTION SPECIAL: In Iowa, McGovern cruises to first victory in ’76 season, Jackson quits



Iowa Democratic Caucus
✓ George McGovern: 30.2%
Edmund Muskie: 21.3%
Lloyd Bentsen: 15.9%
Frank Church: 10.4%
Jimmy Carter: 10.1%
Mo Udall: 7.7%
Scoop Jackson: 4.0%

Here we are, Democratic voters in Iowa have spoken: The first contest of the 1976 election season goes to Senator George McGovern of South Dakota. He pulled out an easy win over his Democratic rivals, most notably Maine Senator Edmund Muskie. Polls already suggested a McGovern win, who has decent support in his neighboring state. Texas Senator Lloyd Bentsen, who surged in state and national polls most recently thanks to a strong campaign operation and notable endorsements, came in a very strong third, getting almost 16%. His performance is a boost for his campaign and an early indication that Mr. Bentsen, not Mr. Carter, is the leading southerner in this primary race. Frank Church, the senator from Idaho with some appeal to rural voters, overperformed expectations and finished in fourth place and very narrowly beat Jimmy Carter. For the former Georgia governor and 1972 vice presidential nominee, this result is a disappointment after he transferred his efforts from New Hampshire to Iowa in a last-minute operation. Now he just barely hit double digits, finishing fifth place. In New Hampshire, he is expected to do even worse. His hopes are now hanging on the South, though Bentsen may prevent this from happening.



For Senator Scoop Jackson, the presidential campaign is already over after a disappointing showing in the Iowa Caucus

Meanwhile, the man who first declared his candidacy is also the first one to quit the race: After coming in last, Washington senator Scoop Jackson announced his drop-out. “There is no path for me after this painful defeat”, he told supporters. Asked for an endorsement, he declined. He would support Muskie or Bentsen as the nominee, but expressed reservations over McGovern and his “weak foreign policy”, the former candidate told a reporter.

On the Republican side, there is nothing to see at all. President Nelson Rockefeller received 98% of the vote and has no significant opposition on his way to the GOP nomination.


February 6, 1976: Speaker Carl Albert to retire



House Speaker Carl Albert announced he's retiring by the end of the 94th congress in 1977

Amidst the just started primary season, the second high-ranking congressional leader announced his retirement: Speaker Carl Albert (D-OK) will leave congress by early next year and vacate the speaker’s post. His likely successor as leader of the House Democrats is current Majority Leader Tip O’Neill (D-MA). If the Democrats keep their house majority, which is likely at this point even if Nelson Rockefeller wins a second term as president, he would be the new speaker as well. Albert, turning 68 this year, has been speaker since 1971.

[OSR stands with Israel]

How ironic would it be that the first Republican ever to dominate in the south would be Rockefeller(Due to McGovern being the Dem Nominee)

[Cold War Liberal]

Love this. Muskie/Church '76!

[President Johnson]

How ironic would it be that the first Republican ever to dominate in the south would be Rockefeller(Due to McGovern being the Dem Nominee)

In the TL, Nixon won all the South except for Texas, Arkansas and North Carolina against LBJ in 1968. If McGovern was to be the nominee, he would be well-advised to pick a Southerner as VP (Bentsen, Brewer or Askew).

[President Johnson]

February 10, 1976

ELECTION SPECIAL: Viva Muskie! Maine Senator wipes out opponents in New Hampshire, Bentsen strong third, Carter way behind



President Rockefeller shakes hands during his trip through the South; here in Virginia on February 13, 1976

President Nelson Rockefeller’s southern strategy takes shape: The White House announced just a day in advance, that the chief executive will begin a one week trip towards the southern states from Virginia all the way through Texas. The only state he didn’t visit during this trip is Florida, where he enjoys the highest level of support among any former confederate state: In their January survey, Gallup found a 55% approval rating for Rocky in the Sunshine state and just 37% disapprove his job performance. His foreign policy had a 65% approval rating in Florida and 67% among all Americans, according to Gallup and the New York Times. The president’s trip is an official event, but the president used the opportunity to give at least one speech in each of these states: Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas and finally Texas, where Commerce Secretary John Connally joined his boss. Permanently on Rocky’s side was HUD Secretary Ivan Allen, the former Atlanta Mayor, civil-rights advocate and head of “Democrats for Rockefeller”. The president also held several roundtables with various groups: African Americans in the cities as well as rural white working class workers. The press was allowed to participate an all of these townhalls, where citizens could directly talk to the head of state. Over the course of his conversations, the president often addressed economic equality and promised programs to help farmers as well as further initiatives to “clean up the slams”. He already praised the landmark 1973 bill for urban development; a program that Secretary Allen oversaw. In addition, the president expressed his support for free trade to help farmers export their goods.

As journalists noted, Nelson Rockefeller’s Southern strategy differs from Richard Nixon’s one in his failed 1968 presidential bid by focusing on economic equality and conservation instead of cultural issues. Of course, the Rockefeller Administration vigorously executed civil rights laws mostly enacted during the Johnson years, but the president tried to focus on economic matters, especially when he was among whites. “I want to focus on what unites us as Americans”, President Rockefeller told a man who said he voted for Lester Maddox in 1972, “I believe every Americans wants a decent paying job, respect and their country being a force for peace in the world. These issues are more important than skin color. Let’s move forward together”.


February 22, 1976: New primary polls ahead of next contests

Ahead of the primaries in Nevada and South Carolina, which take place at the same date this year, Gallup released some new polls on the Democratic side. It looks like Jimmy Carter could be in trouble in the South, what threatens is White House ambitions. Lloyd Bentsen is poised to be the leading man from the South.


1976 Democratic Party Nevada Caucus

Senator George McGovern: 25%
Senator Edmund Muskie: 21%
Senator Lloyd Bentsen: 14%
Senator Frank Church: 14%
Representative Mo Udall: 12%
Former Governor Jimmy Carter: 9%
Someone else/undecided: 5%


1976 Democratic Party South Carolina Primary

Senator Lloyd Bentsen: 27%
Former Governor Jimmy Carter: 25%
Senator Edmund Muskie: 17%
Representative Mo Udall: 13%
Senator George McGovern: 7%
Senator Frank Church: 4%
Someone else/undecided: 7%