1973: Nixon replaces Agnew with Gov. Rockefeller instead of Ford

[BluegrassBlueVote]

Nelson was originally seen as a frontrunner for the selection, after all. And consequently, after Watergate Rockefeller becomes the 38th President of the United States in 1974.

What happens? Do we see a resurgence of the Eastern Establishment and a postponement (or possibly a permanent removal) of the coming conservative revolution? Does Rockefeller pardon Nixon? Does he have a stronger path to reelection than Ford in '76? What about his VP pick?

Discuss!

[BluegrassBlueVote]

Because he pardoned Nixon, right?

[BluegrassBlueVote]

Because he pardoned Nixon, right?

Huh?  The GOP primary voters didn't care about that.

Wasn't Nixon's approval ratings making a push into the teens by the time he resigned? No one liked him.

I don't have a great knowledge of the 1976 primary, but I assumed that Ford's pardon made the entire country -- both Democrat and Republican -- feel like he had reached a corrupt bargain with Nixon. Most of his appeal as a politician was his honest character.

And I guess another scenario to assume is if Rockefeller would've ran the country liberally enough to be overcome by Reagan.

[BluegrassBlueVote]

Rockefeller was considered a front-runner for the VP role, yes. John Connally was of course Nixon's favorite, but he didn't think Connally could be confirmed.