The Cursed American Presidency

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National & International Highlights
(Fall 1976)
September 24th-October 3rd, 1976​

President Nelson Rockefeller & First Lady Happy Rockefeller greeting well-wishers at Andrews AFB before heading to Singapore.
​

Friday, September 24th, 1976: President Nelson Rockefeller & First Lady Happy Rockefeller greeted well-wishers at Andrews AFB in Prince Georges County, MD before boarding Air Force One for his State Visits to Singapore (September 24th-27th), India (September 27th-29th) & Australia (September 29th-October 2nd).

Saturday, September 25th, 1976: Vice President Edward Brooke held whistlestop campaign tour via train across the Great Lakes: visiting IA, IL, WI, OH, PA, NJ.

Meanwhile Brooke's running-mate United States Senator Bob Dole (R-KS) campaigned aggressively as the attack dog slamming the Democratic ticket as "Pandering to Hollywood celebrities" & other blunt harsh language during campaign rallies in the South.

Thursday, September 30th, 1976: The Hart/Scott/Roding Antitrust Improvements Act, sets of amendments to the antitrust laws of the United States principally the Clayton Antitrust Act, is signed into law by President Rockefeller.

Friday, October 1st, 1976: Hurricane Liza kills more than 600 people in Mexico's Baja California Peninsula, striking the resort city of La Paz, Baja California Sur where 350 people died & another 280 in the surrounding area.

Sunday, October 3rd, 1976: Voting was held in West Germany for the 496-seat Bundestag. Although Chancellor Helmut Schmidt's Social Democratic Party (SDP) lost 16 seats & it's coalition partner, the Free Democratic Party (FDP) lost 2 seats; the coalition retained 253-243 majority of the Bundestag over Helmut Kohl's Christian Democrats/Christian Socialists (CDU/CSU).

 

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************THE 1976 SECOND PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE**********​

October 6th, 1976
Palace of the Fine Arts Theatre
San Francisco, CA

Pauline Frederick: "Good evening. I'm Pauline Frederick of NPR, moderator of this second of the historic debates of the 1976 Presidential election between the Republican candidate for President, Vice President Edward Brooke of Massachusetts and Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr., of California, the Democratic candidate. Thank you both for being with us tonight. This debate takes place before an audience inside the Palace of the Fine Arts Theatre in San Francisco. An estimated one hundred million Americans are watching on television as well. San Francisco was the site of the signing of the United Nations Charter, 31 years ago. Thus, it is an appropriate place to hold this debate, the subject of which will consist of Foreign Affairs and Defense.

The questioners tonight are Max Frankel, associate editor of the New York Times; Henry L. Trewhitt, diplomatic correspondent of the Baltimore Sun, and Richard Valeriani, diplomatic correspondent of NBC News. The ground rules are basically the same as they were in the first debate two weeks ago. The questions will be altered between the candidates. By the toss of a coin, Governor Brown will take the first question. Each question sequence will be as follows: The question will be asked and the candidate will have up to three minutes to answer. His opponent will have up to two minutes to respond. And prior to the response, the questioner may ask a follow-up question and clarify the candidates' answer when necessary with up to two minutes to reply. Each candidate will have three minutes for a closing statement at the end. Vice President Brooke and Governor Brown don't have notes or prepared remarks with them this evening, but they may take notes during the debate and refer to them. Mr. Frankel, you have the first question for Governor Brown."

Max Frankel: "Governor, since the Democrats last ran our foreign policy, includes many of the men who are advising you, the country has been relieved of the Vietnam agony and the military draft, we started arms control negotiations with the Russians, opened relations with China: both of these measures were abruptly terminated and dismantled by President Rockefeller. Arranged the disengagement in the Middle East, we've regained influence with the Arabs without abandoning Israel, now we've even begun the process of peaceful change in Africa. Now you've strongly objected in this campaign to the style with which much of this was done, and you've mentioned some other things that-------that you think ought to have been done. But do you really have a strong quarrel with this Republican record? Would you not have done any of these things?"

Governor Brown: "Well, I think the last three consecutive Republican administrations have been almost all style, and spectacular and not much substance. We've got a chance tonight to talk about, first of all, leadership, the character of our country and a vision of the future. In every one of these instances, the current administration that my opponent is proudly part of, has failed, and I have little hope that Vice President Brooke would improve the situation. To be honest, our country is not strong anywhere; we're not even respected anymore. We can only be strong overseas if we're strong at home and when I become President, we'll not only be strong in those areas but also in defense-------a defense capability second to none. We've lost in our foreign policy, the character of the American people. We've blatantly ignored or excluded altogether the American people and the Congress from participation in the shaping of our foreign policy. It's been one of secrecy and exclusion. We've tried to buy success from our enemies, and at the same time we've excluded from the process the normal friendship of our allies. In addition of that, we've become fearful to compete with the Soviet Union on an equal basis. We talk about Detente. The Soviet Union knows what they want in Detente, and they've been getting it. We have not known what we've wanted and we've been out-traded in almost every instance.

But the fact of the matter is that Vice President Brooke wants to continue the Rockefeller administration's international indiscretions. President Rockefeller didn't seek election to a full four-year term due to the backlash on complicity of outrageous hawkish foreign policy decisions. Vice President Brooke wants to pick up where President Rockefeller left off and resume the failed doctrine of containment. This means more Vietnam, this means another generation must grow up under "duck and cover drills" and this means an arms race with the USSR which could only escalate the stakes higher. I don't believe that at this period of respectful coexistence that it's worth our while to dailing back to tenuous times, such as 1962, which my opponent's foreign policy could lead to."

Frederick: "Vice President Brooke, your response?"

Vice President Brooke: "There he goes again! Governor Brown once again is rambling in broad, crazy, whacky generalizations. Let me talk about one question that he raised about the military strength and capability of the United States. Remember, Governor Brown in November 1975 indicated that he wanted to cut the defense budget by $20 billion across the board. A few months later, he said he wanted to cut the defense budget by $13 billion dollars, and more recently, he talks cutting the defense budget by $16 billion dollars. There is no way you can be strong militarily and have those kinds of reductions in our military appropriations. It seems that Governor Brown wants to spend more and more money by weakening America and strengthen the national debt. In 1972, the American people had been offered this choice before when George McGovern and his platform of criminality, lawlessness, isolationism, and tax and spend liberalism were soundly rejected by President Nixon. I am confident that they will reject this once and for all."

Frederick: "Now we've got a question for Vice President Brooke, from Mr. Trewhitt."

Henry L. Trewhitt: "Mr. Vice President, my question is really on the other side of the coin from Mr. Frankel's question. For a generation the United States has had a foreign policy based on the containment of communism. Yet we've lost the first war in Vietnam; we lost a shouting match in Angola; the communists threatening to come to power by peaceful means in Italy and relations with the Soviet Union have deteriorated in the last few months. So let me ask you first, what do you do about examples such as Italy? And secondly, does this gradual drift mean that we're moving back towards something, like an old cold-cold-war relationship with the Soviet Union?"

Vice President Brooke: "First of all, I believe that the cause of freedom isn't exclusively an American cause. Freedom's earned in the hearts of people on every continent and under every regime. And while it is the duty of America to support those who wish to live in freedom, we are not alone. Take for example, Portugal, which a year ago was in danger of falling under Soviet hegemony as the communists were expected to win their elections, they didn't. They were rejected by the Portuguese people. I have faith that the people of Italy who like Portugal, has been scarred in fascism, will reject the communists as well.

Now currently we have seen Soviet influence in the Middle East abating to a larger degree. Both Syria and Egypt have rejected the Soviet Union's attempt to increase their military presence in those countries. The Russians are basically on the run lately as a result and I agree with Prime Minister Rabin's assesment that the Soviets presence in the Middle East is on the defensive and from their former Arab clients. I think this is an opportunity by redefining the dynamic in the region and to pursue a lasting peace between the Arabs and the Israelis."

Frederick: "How do you respond to Vice President Brooke's response, Governor Brown?"

Governor Brown: "Well, I think Vice President Brooke is right to have faith in the people of Europe. I don't see communism rising in Europe. But I take issue with the Vice President's claim that I seek to cut the defense budget by $20 billion dollars. That is patently false! I believe the Vice President is making these claims to distracting the voters from the fact that the massive spending hikes he's proposing for the Pentagon aren't going to balance the federal budget. My opponent is pushing for an expanded doctrine that's very more openly aggressive than the policies of the Nixon and Ford administrations. In fact, he's an openly staunch supporter of the Rockefeller administration's failed foreign policy blunder, which was led by Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, which took place in Argentina nearly seven months ago with the botched military coup attempt against President Isabel Peron. This has resulted in an escalation of open, defiant anti-American sentiment and rhetoric in Argentina right now. In fact, in the Summer of 1975, the Ford administration had not only supported but openly encouraged for a military coup in Mexico that has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of innocent people, which has led to a potential humanitarian crisis right now engulfing the Americas. As a matter of fact, my opponent's aggressive doctrine in foreign policy if he's elected might result in utter and total chaos in NATO and I shutter to think what he'll do if he plans of getting America into the South African conflicts in Angola, Mozambique and Rhodesia."

Frederick: "Mr. Vice President?"

Vice President Brooke: "My opponent is once again distorting purposefully my foreign policy vision. I am proud of working with President Rockefeller, Secretary Kissinger and Defense Secretary Clements on increasing our national defense, rebuilding our proud Armed Forces, maintaining our diplomacy and foreign affairs with peace through strength. I don't believe and have never supported sending American troops to conflicts such as Mexico or Nicaragua, the Carribbean or any other global hot spot. Though, I am not afraid to standing up to those who are our adversaries in protecting America's national security by any means necessary. Now I don't believe that sending American combat troops in dealing with the problems in South Africa would solve the problem..."

 

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BREAKING NEWS: POLLS SHOW DEADHEAT AS BROOKE NOW LEADS

October 12th, 1976

Following another strong debate performance in San Francisco on October 6th, polling surveys showed that Vice President Brooke has taken the lead against CA Governor Jerry Brown (D).

Brooke's aggressive defense of the Rockefeller administration's foreign affairs & national defense policies including his "going on the offense" hammering Brown's lack of foreign policy proposals have won over groups of undecided voters.

ABC News revealed in their poll that Brooke leads among Independents by 16 percentage points; tied with Women & leading overwhelmingly among Conservatives & Moderates.

ABC News Poll (October 8th-12th, 1976)
1976 Presidential Election
Brooke (R): 41.75%
Brown (D): 40.13%
Undecided: 12%

ANALYSIS FROM POLITICAL EXPERTS: Following the release of the ABC News Poll, a group of bipartisan political experts during a roundtable discussion of "News & Issues" stated that the lack of campaign policy proposals from Governor Brown has caused his once double-digit lead of 29 percentage points from the summer down to a statistical tie.

The aggressive offensive hard-hitting negative advertising commercials by the Brooke campaign is working following two dominant performances in the debates. With the third & final debate less than nine days away, one political analysts summed it up, "Governor Brown needs a major game-changer to prevent his downhill slide from continuing any further."

 

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The Secret Affair
10:00 PM EST, Monday, October 11th, 1976
Somewhere in the outskirts of Albany, NY St

​

It was getting late night on the campaign trail & United States Senator Robert Byrd (D-WV) was in the midst of electing Democrats to the United States Senate in the upcoming 1976 elections. After attending a raucous campaign fundraiser for former US Ambassador to the United Nations Daniel P. Moynihan (D)'s campaign for the United States Senate against incumbent United States Senator James Buckley (R/C-NY St), Byrd was heading toward his hotel room in order to get some sleep, but he was distracted by some noises across the hall.

At first, he attempted to ignore it, but the noises which originally was the assumption of some partygoers wasn't the case. Deciding to check things out, Byrd said to himself "Wondering what is this so-called noise and where it's coming from?"

Noticing about five Secret Service agents guarding the hallways in a private hideout leading toward the steam room, Byrd not wanting to get caught, decided to sneak around another way....

Managing to find an unsecured doorway leading to a private back entrance to the steam room, Byrd got quite an eyeful alright: seeing Vice President Brooke thoroughly penetrating Barbara Walters as both were naked & barefoot having sex on the floor with Barbara (who was lying on her back) moaning uncontrollably "Your super large dick is stretching my vagina. Give it to me". The secret lovers kept fucking aggressively non-stop as Byrd quietly closed the backdoor of the steam room, "Oh my! Wait until I tell Erma on what I just saw tonight" smirking & gleefully itching to upend the 1976 Presidential campaign.

Getting back to his hotel room, Byrd had an audio recording device playing back Brooke & Walters' secret sexual encounter & had one huge smirk on his face. In a not surprising move, Byrd called his wife & told her all of the juicy details regarding Brooke's extracurricular activities. He then phoned someone close to the Brown campaign, presumably campaign manager Gray Davis, who answered the phone: "This is Gray Davis of the Jerry Brown Campaign. Senator Byrd, what can I do for you?"

Senator Byrd smirked & responded, "Mr. Davis. I've got something of an explosive bombshell that could alter the entire 1976 Presidential campaign. But if you want to get majority supoort in the South, it's gonna cost ya and Governor Brown if he wants to reverse those dreadful polling numbers."

What would happen next was going to become one of the biggest October Surprises ever that would have ramifications going forward in American politics & open the door on how aggressive negative advertising commercials with dog-whistles would escalate in future elections....

To Be Continued: Anonymous voiceovers blackmail Walters & VP Brooke.

 

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The Blackmail with threats of exposure of dirty secrets
9:32 PM EST, Tuesday, October 12th, 1976
​

Barbara Walters of ABC News was coming back home from work at the ABC News Studios when she arrived at her penthouse apartment to relax when she noticed a mysterious brown large package with her name in capital letters "BARBARA WALTERS: FOR YOUR EYES ONLY". She wondered what was the package all about, "I wonder what this package is about? Can't figure it could be from one of our viewers who watch ABC News" Barbara has assumed, finding some audio recordings, she placed them into her audio playing machine & sat back to listen to the recording.

The voice-over used intimidating threats: "LISTEN UP WALTERS. YOU AND THAT UPPITY NIGRA BROOKE ARE DONE! HOW CAN BOTH OF YOU CALL YOURSELVES DECENT AMERICAN TAX-PAYING CITIZENS WITH GRIFTING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ON ALL OF THAT STUPID NONSENSE. YOU TWO HYPOCRITES ARE THE MOST DISGUSTING PIECES OF SHIT EVER SEEN IN THE FACE OF THIS EARTH, WHICH MUST BE EXTERMINATED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. YOU KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO AND YOU BETTER TAKE IT BEFORE YOUR FILTHY, DISGUSTING, UGLY PIECE OF SHIT IS EXPOSED BEFORE THE ENTIRE NATION AND THE WORLD FOR YOUR HYPOCRISY!"

What would happen next in the audio recording rose the rush of fear down Barbara's spine as she sat horrified in her chair while listening: "FUCK ME HARD BABY. STRETCH MY VAGINA WIDE BABY. OHHHHHH" (the secret sex escapade involving Barbara's secret affair with Brooke). She was suddenly shaking nervously & horrified "Who the fuck recorded us? I have to warn Eddie because I have to protect our careers".

Calling the Vice President on a secret, private number. Brooke answered "This is Ed Brooke." Barbara answered "Eddie. Somebody wiretapped and recorded us. Did you get a mysterious package?" Brooke (who was in his Cape Cod private residence), played the recording himself as well & was furious "Yes I did Barbara. I wonder who in the Hell wiretapped us last night?"

Brooke calmed Barbara down, "Don't worry Barbara, I'll get to the bottom of this because the third and final presidential debate is in 10 days, we both cannot afford any of these audio recordings to come out ever!" Barbara still nervous "I need to see you tonight. We have to think of something to prevent any of this from coming out."

Barbara took a private plane ride to Cape Cod, MA, where she & Brooke engaged in another secret aggressive sexual escapade inside his private secret retreat in the middle of the night. Naked & barefoot, Barbara (laying on her back watching the fireplace) wondered "I am afraid I will have to decline the opportunity to moderate the third debate in Williamsburg. Ed, you have an important presidential campaign to win and I don't want to see you get hurt because of me, we have to end this relationship..." "No we cannot end this relationship just yet, but not until one final escapade," Brooke responded before they engaged in another sexual escapade all night long...

 

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Thursday, October 14th, 1976

BREAKING NEWS: BARBARA WALTERS OF ABC NEWS DECLINES TO MODERATE THIRD PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE; SCHEDULING CONFLICT IS THE REASON

Less than two days after getting the mysterious package containing incriminating audio recordings of their sexual rendezvous, Barbara Walters issued a statement declining to moderate the upcoming third Presidential Debate scheduled for October 22nd in Williamsburg, VA. Walters said "While I am honored of being given the chance to serve as moderator of the third and final presidential debate, I cannot in good conscience follow through on this duty because of scheduling conflicts in other priorities working with ABC News."

There's no specific reason into elaborating of why Walters declined to serve as the moderator of the upcoming debate, but the Commission of Presidential Debates issued a statement saying "While we're disappointed Mrs. Walters won't be serving as moderator of the Presidential Debate in Williamsburg, Virginia, it is our hope that we can find another replacement to hold this very important debate of the 1976 Presidential campaign."

Gallup Polling Survey (October 14th, 1976)
Brooke (R): 48.4%
Brown (D): 47.6%
Undecided: 4.0%

 

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The Home Stretch of the 1976 Presidential Campaign
Fall 1976
​

The upcoming VP Debate set for October 15th, 1976 pitted former GA Governor Jimmy Carter (D) against United States Senator Bob Dole (R-KS). Though Carter had weathered the recent blowback storm of his controversial interview with Playboy Magazine, his outsider status gained popularity & became a positive force for the Democratic ticket including strong support from the South.

Gray Davis, the campaign manager for Governor Brown's presidential campaign, knew ahead of the VP Debate that Carter was going to have struggles against the experienced conservative Dole. Due to Brown's downward polling numbers because of Brooke's two successful debates in the presidential election, the Brown campaign deployed Carter more vigorously in order to make preemptive introduction of the future VP to the American public. This approach paid off successfully as voters viewed Carter as honest, more open & very credible as the future second in command.

Final month of the campaign continued with the very quiet VP Debate between Governor Carter & Senator Dole which was held at the Alley Theater in Houston, TX; though it wasn't widely watched, Dole was hailed by the press & political analysts as the winner of the debate. Benefiting from the "Texas Two-Snooze Fest", Dole's dominating performance resulted in the Brooke campaign to deploying Dole more frequently on the campaign trail in majority of the battleground States.

In Southeast Asia, some international events returned to the forefront of the campaign trail once again when the Royal Thai Army opened fire on student demonstrators in Bangkok, Thailand. The massacre came just one day after Vice President Brooke speaking to an annual convention of Asian American voters in San Jose, CA where he vowed if elected President, continuing military aid & financial support for the military dictatorship as bulwarks against the spread of communism. Governor Brown put Brooke's comments on full-blast, pledging he would focus on human rights & pursue diplomatic solutionsbin resolving conflicts such as the ongoing fallout from the failed coup attempt against Argentine President Isabel Peron, who announced her intentions of seeking reelection in 1977.

The United States Coast Guard cutter Sherman seized the Panamanian freighter Don Emilio, which was captured in US territorial waters & found large cargoes of narcotics estimating $134,000,000.

Voters in the Philippines overwhelmingly approved an extension of the 1972 Proclamation #1081 Martial Law with 90% of the nationwide vote. Constitutional amendments stated in Presidential Decree #1033 (1976) with 87.58%.

 

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October 16th, 1976

BREAKING NEWS: THIRD PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE ABRUPTLY CANCELLED

*Details unclear on why the third & final Presidential Debate was cancelled.
*Finger-pointing between Brooke, Brown campaigns on who cancelled the debate.
*Polls suggest Presidential election is still considered Toss-Up.

Americans woke up on Saturday morning & got the stunning news that the originally scheduled Presidential Debate between Vice President Brooke & Governor Brown set for October 22nd in Williamsburg, VA has been cancelled altogether.

In response, Governor Brown issued statement "The American people has been denied an opportunity to hear the candidates vision for the next four years. It's very disappointing to hear that there's not going to be a third debate. Our campaign will continue traveling the country and discus the main issues of bringing Americans together."

Vice President Brooke responded "After dominating two consecutive debates, it appears Governor Brown was so intimidated that I strongly pointed out facts and specifics, he got cold feet and refused to participate in the upcoming third debate in Williamsburg." His running mate, Senator Dole went further: "The American people cannot afford to risk our national security and economic security to two untested rookies, who have no experience in foreign policy, national defense, or balancing a budget."

COMING UP IN CHAPTER VI: ELECTION NIGHT RESULTS

 

[49ersfootball]

Tuesday, November 2nd, 1976

********************US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION 1976 COVERAGE********************

Harry Reasoner, Barbara Walters & Howard K. Smith during ABC News' Election Night Coverage.
​

Harry Reasoner: "Good evening, Ladies and Gentlemen. Today is Tuesday, November 2nd, 1976 and you're watching ABC News live coverage of the US Presidential Election 1976. My name is Harry Reasoner and alongside here on the anchor desk: Barbara Walters and Howard K. Smith including our group of political analysts, experts and countless others, who will be giving us latest developments. After one of the most longest, hardest and strange twists and turns on the campaign trail, the nationally-watched and internationally-watched showdowns between Republican Vice President Edward W. Brooke, III and his Democratic opponent, California Governor Edmund G. "Jerry" Brown, Jr.,, has finally arrived. The polling surveys have gone all over the place between the candidates which escalated during the two Presidential debates, to the point of odds-makers handicapping it as a Toss-Up. We will bring you the viewers at home, our full in-depth analysis on the results of this presidential election but also how it'll impact down-ballot offices including seats for the US House of Representatives and the United States Senate as well as the Governorships.

Once again, I am thrilled to be joined by co-moderators Barbara Walters and Howard K. Smith."

Barbara Walters: "Good evening and welcome from me as well. Thank you very much for tuning into our special program of Election Night 1976. We're looking forward to providing you all of the information you need in the coming hours in this national election, which is also the essence of our democracy."

Howard K. Smith: "After months and months and an exhausting campaign on both sides, election day has finally arrived and it's up to the American people to decide on how the country will be shaped in the next four years. America will elect a new President today, along with all 435 members of the US House of Representatives, 33 of the contested US Senate seats including couple of Governorships and several local elected offices. But the main focus of attention will be the Presidential race between Vice President Brooke and Governor Brown. This is quite unique of an election battle between the first African American Vice President of the United States and the first-term Governor of California, who would become the second bachelor President since James Buchanan. Like Harry said earlier, multiple polling surveys indicated this presidential race is so too close to call that it has been considered as neck-and-neck over the past few months. On the Congress, we have to consider the Democratic Party has the upper hand, currently holding a veto-proof majority in the US House of Representatives and a supermajority in the United States Senate with 61 seats. The outcome of the presidential election will likely determine if and how many of their legislative priorities either a President Brooke or President Brown can be able to enact into law."

Harry Reasoner: "Barbara and Howard, both of you have pretty much summed it up very well. America will elect a new President today. However, in such a closely-watched election, the big question we should all ask if how long it will be taking to counting the votes as we're facing the possibility of getting into a situation in which a couple of states will determine and decide the outcome of the 1976 US Presidential election. I would strongly advise everyone watching that we're likely going to be in for a long night and possible an entire month. For the first time since 1968, this will be an election which won't have an incumbent running on the ballot as President Nelson Rockefeller decided not to seek election to a full four-year term. He ascended to the Presidency following the assassination of the late President Gerald Ford on September 5th, 1975. Consequently, the Rockefeller Presidency will remain a placeholder. How we got here tonight can be explained in further detail.

The Republicans had originally primary battle between Vice President Brooke and former California Governor Ronald Reagan which got upended with a Summer Surprise when controversial audio recordings revealed explicit controversial language between Reagan and former President Richard Nixon. The explosive scandal of the audio recordings caused a vicious backlash eventually forcing Reagan to drop out and effectively conceding the Republican presidential nomination to the Vice President. The Democrats, on the other hand, had a long dragged-out primary battle with multiple candidates, which was finally settled when Governor Brown aggressively garnered huge majorities of delegates to win the Democratic presidential nomination in early June.

Here's what the Electoral Map and how it'll be looking like for tonight...."

Vice President Edward W. Brooke, III (R-MA)/United States Senator Robert J. Dole (R-KS): 0 EVs
Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr., (D-CA)/Former Governor James E. Carter, Jr., (D-GA): 0 EVs​

COMING SOON IN CHAPTER VI: ELECTION RETURNS.....

 

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BREAKING NEWS: ABC NEWS PROJECTS BROWN WINS KENTUCKY; BROOKE HANDILY WINS INDIANA

Smith: "The time is 6:35 PM and we're getting the first batch of returns coming out of Kentucky, which has 9 Electoral Votes and Indiana with 13 Electoral Votes. ABC News can project that Governor Brown will win the Commonwealth of Kentucky and their 9 Electoral Votes. With 76% of the precincts reporting, Governor Brown will win with at least 53% of the statewide vote there."

Kentucky: 9 Electoral Votes (73% of the precincts reporting)
Brown (D) 303, 816 (53.37%)✔
Brooke (R): 275,025 (45.17%)

Reasoner: "ABC News can project that Vice President Brooke is the winner of Indiana and their 13 Electoral Votes. He'll win the Hoosier State by a wide margin determined based on exit polling and analysis...."

Indiana: 13 Electoral Votes (59% of the precincts reporting)
Brooke (R): 1,073,683 (60.73%)✔
Brown (D): 549,581 (35.19%)

******National Popular Vote (2% of the Precincts reporting)

Vice President Edward W. Brooke, III (R-MA/United States Senator Robert J. Dole (R-KS): 559,250 (53%) 13 Electoral Votes
Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr., (D-CA)/Former Governor James E. Carter, Jr., (D-GA): 495,345 (47%) 9 Electoral Votes ​

 

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ABC NEWS PROJECTS BROWN WINNER IN SOUTH CAROLINA, GEORGIA, ALABAMA, WEST VIRGINIA, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AND NORTH CAROLINA

Reasoner: "We've got more poll closures in South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama. I'll start with South Carolina and it's 8 Electoral Votes, which will go to Governor Brown into the Democratic column.

Howard, what do we have coming out of Georgia and Alabama?"
South Carolina: 8 Electoral Votes (55% of the precincts reporting)
Brown (D): 56%✔
Brooke (R): 43%

Smith: "Harry, the State of Georgia and it's 12 Electoral Votes including the home state of former Georgia Governor Jimmy Carter (D), will go to the Democratic column in favor of California Governor Jerry Brown (D). Once again ABC News projects that Governor Brown is the winner of Georgia and it's 12 Electoral Votes.
Georgia: 12 Electoral Votes (59% of the precincts reporting)
Brown (D): 27,803 (73%)✔
Brooke (R): 10,361 (27%)

ABC News also projects that Governor Brown will win the State of Alabama and their 9 Electoral Votes. It appears that the aggressive campaign in the South appears to be paying off for the Brown campaign.

More projections coming in by ABC News as Governor Brown has been declared the winner of the following: District of Columbia with 3 Electoral Votes, West Virginia with 6 Electoral Votes and North Carolina with 13 Electoral Votes."
Alabama: 9 Electoral Votes (61% of the precincts reporting)
Brown (D): 43,233 (58%)✔
Brooke (R): 31,181 (41%)

District of Columbia: 3 Electoral Votes
Brown (D): 71%✔
Brooke (R): 25%

West Virginia: 6 Electoral Votes
Brown (D): 57%✔
Brooke (R): 39%

North Carolina: 13 Electoral Votes
Brown (D): 56%✔
Brooke (R): 40%

National Popular Vote: President (23% of the precincts reporting)

Vice President Edward W. Brooke, III (R-MA)/United States Senator Robert J. Dole (R-KS): 3,883,673 (50%) 13 Electoral Votes
Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr., (D-CA)/Former Governor James E. Carter, Jr., (D-GA): 3,880,973 (49%) 60 Electoral Votes
​

COMING SOON: WE HAVE A RETRACTION !

 

[49ersfootball]

ABC News Election Night Coverage:
9:27 PM EST

BREAKING NEWS: ABC NEWS PROJECTS BROOKE WINNER OF RHODE ISLAND, MAINE, NEW HAMPSHIRE, VERMONT, CONNECTICUT, MASSACHUSETTS, NEW JERSEY

Walters: "The time is 9:27 PM EST and we're getting more results as polls have just closed. ABC News can project Vice President Brooke has won the following states: Rhode Island (4 Electoral Votes), Maine (4 Electoral Votes), New Hampshire (4 Electoral Votes), Vermont (3 Electoral Votes), Connecticut (8 Electoral Votes), Massachusetts (14 Electoral Votes), and New Jersey (17 Electoral Votes), bringing the total of Electoral Votes for Vice President Brooke to 67 Electoral Votes... I think Howard has more information about three more states...."

BREAKING NEWS: BROOKE WINS VIRGINIA, FLORIDA, NEW YORK STATE.

Smith: "That's right Barbara. ABC News projects Vice President Brooke has won the Commonwealth of Virginia and it's 11 Electoral Votes; we've got official confirmation from the Associated Press and the ABC News Decision Desk that Vice President Brooke has won the critical battleground state of Florida and it's 17 Electoral Votes including New York State, the home state of President Rockefeller, and it's 41 Electoral Votes.

This is important because we're seeing an aggressive surge of support for the Vice President in the Northeastern states: Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, his home state of Massachusetts and New York State, which is the home state of President Rockefeller.

In the South: Vice President Brooke has won Virginia and Florida. Big question is whether we'll see a strong aggressive surprise as the night goes on? Safe to say we're going to be analyzing these returns for quite some time."

National Popular Vote (39% of the precincts reporting)

Vice President Edward W. Brooke, III (R-MA)/United States Senator Robert J. Dole (R-KS): 23,881,456 (51.27%) 136 Electoral Votes
Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr., (D-CA)/Former Governor James E. Carter, Jr., (D-GA): 22,903,057 (47.63%) 60 Electoral Votes
​

COMING SOON IN THE CURSED AMERICAN PRESIDENCY: Exit Polls @stevep @TheRomanSlayer @Zyobot @Captain X @gral @f1onagher @Mimas @The Unicorn @Husky_Khan @Planchar @The Whispering Monk @Cherico @Airedale260 @Carrot of Truth @Circle of Willis @Aaron Fox @Zachowon @Simonbob @Typhonis @DarthOne

 

[49ersfootball]

9:39 PM EST
ABC News Election Night Coverage

HUGE DEVELOPMENTS: TEXAS PROJECTED FOR BROOKE.....

Reasoner: "I have breaking news coming out of the State of Texas. ABC News can project that Vice President Brooke has won Texas' 26 Electoral Votes. I repeat once again, ABC News can project that Vice President Brooke has won Texas' 26 Electoral Votes just about some 20 minutes ago.....

(Silence in the ABC News Election Night Desk)

This is due to the aggressive GOTV efforts from United States Senator John Tower (R-TX), who endorsed Brooke's campaign during the Republican primaries angering majority of the Reaganites. In 1952 and 1956, then-President Dwight Eisenhower with the support of then-Texas Governor Allan Shivers (D), won the Lone Star State; Texas went back to the Democrats in 1960 (narrowly with JFK), 1964 (native son Lyndon Johnson won in a resounding landslide victory) and again in 1968 (narrowly with Humphrey).

Four years ago, then-President Richard Nixon easily won Texas by a margin of 3-to-1. The Lone Star State has been trending into a two-party state and on the verge of trending Republican.

I cannot fathom how potentially a blow this is for Governor Brown, who will have to find other avenues in winning this election."
Texas: 26 Electoral Votes (57% of the precincts reporting)
Brooke (R): 2,073,900 (56.73%)✔
Brown (D): 1,500,383 (44.83%)

COMING UP: ABC News has a major retraction......

 

[49ersfootball]

9:56 PM EST
ABC News Election Night Coverage

MORE PROJECTIONS: PENNSYLVANIA PROJECTED FOR BROWN

Walters: "Here's some good news for the Democrats and that is in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. ABC News can project that Governor Brown has won Pennsylvania's 27 Electoral Votes according to the basis of exit polling and analysis, we can strongly believe with the greatest confidence of our projections coming out of the Keystone State.

Harry and Howard, this has is a much-needed boost for the Brown campaign."

Reasoner: "That's exactly correct Barbara because Governor Brown was leading by double digits in Pennsylvania, but faced an aggressive onslaught by Vice President Brooke in the Keystone State in the final two months of the campaign.

There are other states which ABC News cannot confirm with confidence on who the winner is in the following: Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin, and possibly Tennessee."

BREAKING NEWS: ABC NEWS PROJECTS BROOKE WINS MICHIGAN

Smith: "We've got another projection. ABC News can project that Vice President Brooke has won Michigan's 21 Electoral Votes. I should note that Michigan was the home state of the late President Gerald Ford.

This brings the number of Electoral Votes for Vice President Brooke at 183 while Governor Brown has just 87."

National Popular Vote: President (56% of the precincts reporting)

Vice President Edward W. Brooke, III (R-MA)/United States Senator Robert J. Dole (R-KS): 27,019,783 (50.16%)
183 Electoral Votes
Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr., (D-CA)/Former Governor James E. Carter, Jr., (D-GA): 26,825,563 (48.00%)
87 Electoral Votes
​

COMING UP IN THE CURSED AMERICAN PRESIDENCY: Audio recording: "We want all voting to stop because WE WON THIS ELECTION!"

​

 

[49ersfootball]

10:35 PM EST

ABC NEWS PROJECTS BROWN WINS OHIO, MISSOURI, ARKANSAS, MISSISSIPPI, TENNESSEE, DELAWARE, MARYLAND, WISCONSIN, MINNESOTA

*Momentum growing for Governor Brown as the night goes on.
*Results tightening as Presidential election is still too close to call.

Reasoner: "ABC News has projected that Governor Brown will be the winner of the following states: Ohio (25 Electoral Votes), Missouri (12 Electoral Votes) Arkansas (6 Electoral Votes), Mississippi (7 Electoral Votes), Tennessee (10 Electoral Votes), Delaware (3 Electoral Votes), Maryland (10 Electoral Votes), Wisconsin (11 Electoral Votes), and Minnesota (10 Electoral Votes), giving the first-term Democratic Governor of California a total of 181 Electoral Votes.

I believe Peter Jennings is live at the Brown campaign headquarters in Sacramento."

7:39 PM PST
Sacramento, CA
Jennings: "Harry. The crowd is gathering here inside the Senator Hotel as you can hear the loud chants of "We Want Jerry! We Want Jerry!" Speaking with campaign manager and gubernatorial Chief of Staff Gray Davis, he has told me that half of the country on the West Coast haven't voted yet. With 62% of the precincts reporting, I believe (Crowd loudly cheers as Louisiana is called for Brown)......

I'm trying to hold the earpiece speaking with the production staff that just a few minutes ago, ABC News has gotten notifications from the Associated Press, who has projected Governor Brown will win the state of Louisiana and it's 10 Electoral Votes by a significant wide margin."
Louisiana: 10 Electoral Votes (85% of the precincts reporting)
Brown (D): 62%✔
Brooke (R): 36%

National Popular Vote: President (63% of the precincts reporting)

Vice President Edward W. Brooke, III (R-MA)/United States Senator Robert J. Dole (R-KS): 33,727,056 (49.12%)
183 Electoral Votes
Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr., (D-CA)/Former Governor James E. Carter, Jr., (D-GA): 33,720,487 (48.73%) 191 Electoral Votes
​

COMING UP IN CHAPTER VI OF THE CURSED AMERICAN PRESIDENCY: Eyes of the nation fall upon Texas.

 

[49ersfootball]

10:59 PM EST

ABC NEWS SPECIAL REPORT: CONTROVERSY, ALLEGATIONS OVER TEXAS POLLING STATIONS ESCALATES

Walters: "We just discussed major issues with voting in the battleground state of Texas, which has 26 Electoral Votes. We're turning now to one of our reporters in Fort Worth to leaning more about the situation. Madam, what's going on over there?"

Reporters: "Barbara, Harry, and Howard, there's a hot controversy blowing up within the past hour or so, as several polling stations were having serious problems including issues having access following severe rain over the previous six days. You can still see here in the background how it's raining and the streets are wet. We received at least a dozen reports that roads near polling stations were blocked by trees and branches which fell to the ground or hit a few buildings. While these barriers were removed within hours, the lines before polling stations grew longer and longer. Then over in Dallas, we had specific reports from the offices of Texas Governor Dolph Briscoe and Texas Secretary of State Mark W. White on whether voting could resume beyond the original deadlines. Both Governor Briscoe and Secretary White confirmed that anyone standing in line by the time of regular closing of voting hours, was able to cast his or her ballots. However, despite these assurances, this was bluntly attacked by United States Senator John G. Tower (R-TX) saying the exact opposite. This has resulted in sowing confusion here in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, even among poll-workers including local reporters we were speaking with. Six polling stations subsequently closed down at the orders of local government officials, citing the remarks by Senator Tower and the Republican National Committee which angered many local elected officials, who quickly went on the offensive and demanded the polls to be opened again. US Rep. Henry B. Gonzalez (D-TX), who is a surrogate for the Brown campaign, just told me the Brown campaign is considering an ad-hoc lawsuit in getting these polling stations opened again. We haven't received any information on whether these polling stations have reopened yet. It sure doesn't look like it. There is currently a back-and-forth discussion and we've been told the Brown campaign executives have gathered in Sacramento and weighing their options. Spokersperson for the Brooke campaign in Houston declined to comment, saying "these matters of question should be decided by the local and state officials."

Walters: "Oh my goodness, and from the way things are going, we're looking at a very, very close election for the Presidency of the United States since 1960 which might be decided by several states, which we're getting reports of not being able to call a winner. We will be keeping a close eye on the situation in Texas."

Reasoner: "And you've got a US Senatorial election taking place here as well, don't you?"

Reporter: "Yes sir, that is correct, Harry, I just wanted to about as well. Indeed, there's a US Senate election going on simultaneously. United States Senator Lloyd Bentsen (D-TX) is seeking reelection to a second term after an unsuccessful campaign for the Democratic Presidential nomination earlier this year, before deciding to seek reelection to his Senate seat. Bentsen easily defeated Republican challenger, US Rep. Alan Steelman (R-TX) by a wide margin."

Reasoner: "Despite the quiet reelection of Senator Bentsen, looks like we're about to be getting an election controversy in Texas. Thank you for this special report. We'll certainly talk again later."

Reporter: "We almost certainly will. Thank you both very much."

Walters: "I just hope this situation can be cleared up and clarified sooner. It might actually depend on how long the night processes. In the worst case scenario, we have to face the possibility on a dragged-out legal fight over the Presidency, should Texas be one of the deciding states."

Reasoner: "I hope so too Barbara. Now we're going to be taking a short commercial break before we return back with more coverage of ABC News' Election 76 Coverage. Stay tuned with us."

 

[49ersfootball]

11:00 PM EST

ABC NEWS ELECTION NIGHT COVERAGE CONTINUES.

OKLAHOMA, NORTH DAKOTA, SOUTH DAKOTA, KANSAS, NEBRASKA CALLED FOR BROOKE, REGAINS LEAD IN ELECTORAL COLLEGE VOTE BATTLE.

Reasoner: "Welcome back Ladies and Gentlemen, to ABC News' special coverage of the 1976 Presidential Election. Today is Tuesday, November 2nd, 1976, and we're now approaching the 11 O'clock hour. I believe you've got more updates after long wait, Howard."

Smith: "Indeed, I have Harry. ABC News can project after a long-dragged out waiting period, the following states have been called in favor of the Republican ticket, Vice President Edward Brooke and United States Senator Robert J. Dole (R-KS): Oklahoma (8 Electoral Votes), North Dakota (3 Electoral Votes), South Dakota (4 Electoral Votes), Kansas (7 Electoral Votes), and Nebraska (5 Electoral Votes), giving the Brooke-Dole ticket 210 Electoral Votes. From what we're hearing, Brooke is winning these respective states by double digits ranging from 13 to 29 percentage points, possibly 45 percentage points if the trends continue."

Reasoner: "As a matter of fact, we have seen the Brown campaign pretty much conceded these states a long time ago following Governor Brown's clinching of the Democratic nomination during the summer. Now the only Southern states that the Brown campaign had given up on: Oklahoma, Virginia and Florida. In the case of Florida, it was due to strong anti-Democratic sentiment among the staunchly conservative Cuban American community in South Florida, particularly Miami and the surrounding areas. During the final weeks of the campaign, they have focused on the following Southern states: Delaware, Mississippi, South Carolina, Arkansas, Georgia, Maryland, Tennessee, West Virginia, Alabama, Texas, Louisiana and North Carolina."

Smith: "Depending on what happens with the polling stations controversy in Texas, if somehow it's reversed and called for Governor Brown, it'll be a huge boost for his campaign as the path to 270 Electoral Votes for the Presidency will be critical. However, once again, ABC News earlier had called Texas for Vice President Brooke, so we're not going to retract Texas until more information and evidence comes out later depending on the legality of lawsuits, etc.,"

11:16 PM EST

BREAKING NEWS: IOWA CALLED FOR BROOKE

Reasoner: "Alright, I am hearing that we've got another call to make: According to credible sources confirming to ABC News, the State of Iowa is called for Vice President Brooke. 8 Electoral Votes for the Republican ticket, which has widened the Vice President's lead in the Electoral College. Barbara, your thoughts?"

Walters: "Well, that's not quite a surprise Harry. Out of all of the Midwestern states, Iowa is known for their Caucuses during the Democratic and Republican primaries respectively. Now Iowa is currently a Republican state. Vice President Brooke was leading in the polls over there even though the Brown campaign worked hard to making inroads earlier by visiting 73 out of 99 counties. Now remember that Brown didn't even participate in the Iowa Caucuses during the Democratic Primaries, which angered many Iowa Democrats; meanwhile on the Republican side, Vice President Brooke held off a strong resurgence from former California Governor Ronald Reagan winning the Iowa Caucuses.

National Popular Vote: President (73% of the precincts reporting)

Vice President Edward W. Brooke, III (R-MA)/United States Senator Robert J. Dole (R-KS): 35,016,773 (48.73%) 218 Electoral Votes
Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr., (D-CA)/Former Governor James E. Carter, Jr., (D-GA): 35,000,664 (48.00%) 191 Electoral Votes
​

 

[49ersfootball]

10:32 PM CST

ILLINOIS TO UNDERGO MAJOR STATEWIDE RECOUNT IN ALL 102 COUNTIES

Reasoner: "We've got major developments coming out of the State of Illinois, known as the Land of Lincoln with its 26 Electoral Votes. ABC News couldn't determine a winner after hours of analyzing the largest number of votes coming in from Chicago, the Collar Counties as well as the surrounding Chicago suburbs including Central and Southern Illinois, where both the Brooke and Brown campaigns have been campaigning hard across Illinois during the fall campaign. Here's the latest results coming out of Illinois, where when we checked earlier this evening, Governor Brown had an early lead, but Vice President Brooke aggressively surged very strong due to the massive landslide victory of James R. Thompson (R) in the Illinois Gubernatorial election, and I have to believe that Thompson's coattails will likely carry Brooke over the finish line at some point depending on the finality of a statewide recount canvassing in all 102 counties."

Illinois (75% of the precincts reporting)
Brooke (R): 2,881,065 (60. 99%)
Brown (R): 1,211,883 (35.00%)

COMING UP IN CHAPTER VI OF THE CURSED AMERICAN PRESIDENCY: More projections by ABC News coming out of the Mountain Rockies.

 

[49ersfootball]

11:48 PM EST

BROOKE SWEEPS MOUNTAIN ROCKIES BY OVERWHELMING LANDSLIDE MARGINS

Reasoner: "I believe we've got more official projections after a long, long wait coming out of the Mountain Rockies. Howard, what do you have for us?"

Smith: "Harry and Barbara, after a long wait and decision making from the ABC News Decision Desk team, we can now officially confirm that Vice President Brooke has swept the entire Mountain Rocky states by overwhelming margins ranging from 25-37 percentage points. Here's the following states all going to Vice President Brooke: Montana (4 Electoral Votes), Wyoming (3 Electoral Votes), New Mexico (4 Electoral Votes), Nevada (3 Electoral Votes), Arizona (6 Electoral Votes), Colorado (7 Electoral Votes), and Utah (4 Electoral Votes), bringing the number of Electoral Votes to 253 Electoral Votes for Vice President Brooke who is now only 17 Electoral Votes away from the necessary 270 Electoral Votes of winning the Presidency if he wins these three: Oregon, Illinois and Washington.

I cannot imagine that these developments are going to cause major panic for the Brown campaign in Sacramento."

National Popular Vote: President (75% of the precincts reporting)

Vice President Edward W. Brooke, III (R-MA)/United States Senator Robert J. Dole (R-KS): 37,519,112 (49.03%) 253 Electoral Votes
Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr., (D-CA)/Former Governor James E. Carter, Jr., (D-GA): 37,473,683 (48.73%) 191 Electoral Votes
​

COMING SOON IN CHAPTER VI OF THE CURSED AMERICAN PRESIDENCY: Results from US House of Representatives, United States Senate & US State/Territory Governorships.

​

 

[49ersfootball]

********************ABC NEWS ELECTION NIGHT COVERAGE: THE '76 VOTE

11:59 PM EST

BREAKING NEWS: ABC NEWS ONCE AGAIN CALLS TEXAS FOR BROOKE

Reasoner: "We're back from a short couple of commercial breaks Ladies and Gentlemen, we are back with our coverage of ABC News Election Night Coverage of The '76 Vote. Barbara, I believe we've got another major call for this evening?"

Walters: "Yes we do Harry. Just a few moments ago, Texas just updated their numbers and with 98.5% of the precincts reporting, ABC News is now projecting that Vice President Edward Brooke has narrowly carried the battleground state of Texas and its 26 Electoral Votes. His current margin of victory is around 27,383 votes, which we don't believe is enough for California Governor Jerry Brown to overcome with the remaining ballots left to include. With that many votes in and also considering that where we are at this hour in different areas, we feel quite sure to giving this to Brooke."

Reasoner: "Now what's the latest update in regards to provisional ballots we've discussed earlier? The votes cast following official polling closures due to the recent storm?"

Walters: "So far to the best of my knowledge on the situation, we don't have any new information here. Our reporters on the ground are currently working hard in reaching out to campaign and election officials to give us an update here. We've previously heard from Democratic officials and Brown campaign surrogates that they're checking all of the legal options in order to include the provisional ballots."

Reasoner: "Once again, I just don't feel very comfortable in making this call out of Texas, although our team in the Decision Desk in the background feels comfortable that Vice President Brooke has carried Texas and its 26 Electoral Votes. I mean, these numbers could make it likely. Nonetheless, I sincerely hope its not premature of projecting the same call in the same state twice."