1976: John Connally

[DevotedDemocrat]

John Connally was Nixon's desired "heir"; He often spoke of dumping Agnew as VP and replacing him with Connally, with the hope that Connally would run in 1976. When Agnew resigned, Conally was his first choice for VP but with his (Nixon's) political capital diminishing because of the widening Watergate scandal, he felt he'd not be able to get Connally nominated. Say he was able to, and Connally was appointed Vice President in 1973 and thus became President in 1974,  and he runs in the 1976 Election.

1) What are his chances at being nominated by the GOP for the election?

2) Who would John Connally have likely chosen as his running mate?

3) Could Connally have beaten Carter in 1976?

[Robert California]

I think Connally would be less likely to piss off the party's conservative wing, though the man as a whole largely lacked ideology. I think Ford would be a good VP pick, & against Carter, I'd see a Connally win as likely, though I think Carter is less likely to be nominated in this scenario.

[Jerseyrules]

I think Connally would be less likely to piss off the party's conservative wing, though the man as a whole largely lacked ideology. I think Ford would be a good VP pick, & against Carter, I'd see a Connally win as likely, though I think Carter is less likely to be nominated in this scenario.

Why is carter less likely to be nominated?