*Wednesday, March 3rd, 1976: Due to low showings in the first primaries & caucuses, former US Treasury Secretary John B. Connally vows to remain in the race for the Republican presidential campaign all the way to the Florida Primary; unlike the Northern states, the wealthy former 3-term TX Governor has campaigned vigorously in the Sunshine State, spending considerably amounts of money on the TV & radio airwaves promoting his presidential campaign.
*Thursday, March 4th, 1976: Campaigning in Jacksonville, FL., former CA Governor Ronald Reagan (R) harshly criticizes Vice President Edward Brooke's record on public safety, crime & zero-based budgeting calling him "weak on crime, weak on law and order, weak on balancing the budget". Reagan declared "I will not be held politically hostage by Speaker Albert and Senator Mansfield."
*Friday, March 5th, 1976: Under maximum pressure from Governor Reagan on the issue of public safety, Vice President Brooke was completely caught off guard during a sit-down interview with the Washington Post. In an effort to appear more honest, straightforward as well as avoiding being isolated, Brooke answered a question about the public safety question as well as debates whether tough-on-crime methods have worked, "As an experienced prosecutor tackling corruption, other crimes at all levels including my time as a former State Attorney General and United States Senator, I have more experience getting tough on crime and defending law and order plus I've got a record on public safety. Unlike Governor Reagan, I am a staunch supporter of law and order. That's the truth of it."
*Saturday, March 6th, 1976: Exploiting Brooke's gaffe by corraling more support in FL, Governor Reagan seized on Vice President Brooke's gaffe about the record on who's more tough on crime & a stronger record on public safety. "Vice President Brooke is a typical Washington politician, who's so out of touch with the forgotten American, he doesn't understand traditional values."
*Monday, March 8th, 1976: United States Senator Robert Byrd (D-WV) announces he'll be placing his own name on the WV Primary ballot as a "Favorite Son". Some strongly speculate that this move is nothing more than a pretext at gunning for the position of US Senate Majority Leader, currently held by retiring US Senate Majority Leader Mike Mansfield (D-MT).
*Tuesday, March 9th, 1976: The primaries in FL are being held.
1976 Florida Democratic Primary: 1,026,918 votes; 81 delegates
Jimmy Carter 331,463 (32.19%) 32 Delegates
George Wallace 270,388 (26.33%) 27 Delegates
Henry Jackson 203,427 (20.20%) 22 Delegates
1976 Florida Republican Primary: 574,667 votes; 66 Delegates
Ronald Reagan 249,759 (43.59%) 30 Delegates
John Connally 175,337 (30.19%) 20 Delegates
Edward Brooke 132,546 (23.73%) 16 Delegates
1976 Democratic Presidential Primaries: Delegate Count Update
Jimmy Carter: 82
Jerry Brown: 60
George Wallace: 55
Henry Jackson: 22
1976 Republican Presidential Primaries: Delegate Count Update
Edward Brooke: 100 Delegates
Ronald Reagan: 58 Delegates
John Connally: 20 Delegates
*Wednesday, March 10th, 1976: During a press conference in Miami, former US Treasury Secretary John B. Connally announced he was suspending his presidential campaign, but doesn't endorse either Governor Reagan or Vice President Brooke; although Connally clarified "I will support the Republican nominee for President once the primaries are finished."