The Presidency of Nelson Rockefeller
President Rockefeller started off with a crisis not only domestically, but also internationally. In early 1973, the MWP (Mexican Workers Party) took control of Mexico City descending the country into full civil war. Anti-Communists in the North, bordering the U.S., and communist forces in the south. President Rockefeller took quick action and sent immediate aid to the NMN (Northern Mexican Nationalists). The MWP angered at this took fire upon patrol ships in the Gulf of Mexico, sinking three and killing 65 sailors. The Gulf of Mexico Resolution was quickly passed by Congress and troops were sent in only for "diplomatic and humanitarian purposes", but as Defense Secretary Scranton put it in a private address "Our boys are doing everything they can to preserve peace, and if that means killing a couple of spics then so be it".
Things did seem to pick up domestically for the President with his S.I.N. campaign (Stop Inflation Now) and his push for continued tax cuts in 1975 seemed to create what was later called "The Golden Age of Economics". The mood soon shifted to tragedy for the President when the "Black Cougar" movement set off four bombs at a diplomatic function following the President's announcement of the "Continued Mission in Mexico" killed 12 including Vice President Scott. President Rockefeller's pick of Massachusetts Governor and former Interior Secretary under President Seaton, Ed Brooke became a controversial pick. He was confirmed on almost strict party lines, the Republicans accused the Democrats of racism, while the Democrats accused the President and his party of trying to bootlick black voters.
The 1976 Presidential Elections
After the 1974 Midterms, the President seemed done for. With Inflation, Unemployment, and International Affairs weak he was destined for a loss two years later. In what some called the "Midwestern Miracle", the economy particularly in the Midwest and Rust Belt area picked up dramatically and led to some of the lowest unemployment and inflation rates in decades in the country. After the death of VP Scott and the attempted assassination of the President, Rockefeller's approvals soared.
The Democrats fearing a 50 state landslide decided to tap into the anger against the Black Cougars and the continual racial riots with a call for law and order. At the DNC they nominated Senator John Brown of Kentucky and Governor Robert Byrd of West Virginia. The RNC in Boston was given much attention due to it was the first real campaign appearance of VP Brooke.
✓ President Nelson Rockefeller (R - NY)/VP Edward Brooke (R - MA) 326 E.V., 50.34% P.V.Senator John Brown (D - KY)/Governor Robert Byrd (D - WV) 212 E.V., 46.19% P.V.The Re-Election looked secure for President Rockefeller but his stances on busing and his seemingly "easy-going" attitude towards Communism turned some Midwestern voters to the hardline positions of the two Southerners. Though it may not have looked like it at the time, but this proved to be a realigning election securing the battleground of the Midwest and the "Solid South + Northeast".
