As a Reagan Delegate to the Convention in 1976 I can assure you that Ford did not have the nomination sewed up before the convention. The nomination was very much in play at the convention. Clark Reed's defection from the Reagan camp at the convention gave Ford Mississippi and assured his nomination.
Clark Reed's defection from the Reagan camp at the convention gave Ford Mississippi and assured his nomination.
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And also Rog Morton's refusal to let Reagan speak in prime time worked to throw the convention to Ford.