December 13th, 1976: President Rockefeller hosts President-elect Brown for transition meeting at the White House.
Monday, December 13th, 1976, was the day CA Governor Jerry Brown (D) entered the White House as the President-elect for a formal meeting with outgoing President Nelson Rockefeller, The two had already been in regular contact since the election, as Rockefeller was preparing to transfer the presidency over to either Brown or Vice President Edward Brooke. With the election finally decided, Brown received an invitation to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue for the next Monday. He was accompanied by his girlfriend, Linda Ronstadt, known by Californians as the First Partner of California; Brown was hosted at the Oval Office by Rockefeller. In the meantime, Ronstadt was hosted by outgoing First Lady Happy Rockefeller upstairs in the family residence of the Executive Mansion.
Over at the Number One Observatory Circle, outgoing Vice President Edward Brooke hosted Vice President-elect & former GA Governor Jimmy Carter to discuss transition plans, etc., Brown officially confirmed that Ronstadt will become First Lady after carefully avoiding questions about her role during the campaign.
President Nelson Rockefeller: "Good Morning my fellow Americans. Today, I have had a cordial meeting with President-elect Jerry Brown in the Oval Office, where we've discussed the ongoing transition plans from my administration to my successor's incoming administration.
I want the American people to know that after a difficult, rough and bitter campaign, it's significant that we came together as one America. Because the entire international community is watching as they're looking to America leading the world as we're still in the midst of the Cold War.
From one governor to another governor, I welcome President-elect Brown to the White House."
(Rockefeller & Brown shake hands)
President-elect Jerry Brown: "Thank you very much Mr. President for your hospitality of you and your lovely wife, Happy on welcoming me and Linda to the White House. It's a magnificent majestic place with lots of history from throughout the years.
I also like to thank the members of the White House Staff for the gracious welcome and we'll get to know each other during the incoming four years.
Like President Rockefeller said earlier, we've had a gracious, cordial meeting about the Presidential transition, where we discussed the top main hot-button issues facing America both domestically and internationally from inflation, public safety, domestic policy, foreign affairs, national defense, etc., "
Reporter #1: "Governor Brown. There's been speculation on the role of what Ms. Linda Ronstadt will be playing in your administration for the incoming four years since she's been serving as the First Partner of California during the time you've been serving as California's 34th Governor since January 6th, 1975. Can you confirm what role she'll be having in your administration?"
President-elect Brown: "Linda and I have been discussing the plans for my incoming administration, I can confirm to you that Linda will be serving as the next First Lady of the United States come January 20th, 1977. She will be a wonderful First Lady that the American people will love!"
Reporter #2: "Mr. President. There's been concerns from the international front particularly Korean President Park Chung-hee, who has blasted your successor's foreign policy agenda because President Park has accused Governor Brown of calling for massive reductions of military troops in the Korean Peninsula, a proposal which has been attacked by a bipartisan consensus in Congress.
Aren't you concerned that the incoming Brown administration will dismantle our national defense?"
President Rockefeller: "I am not going to telegraph our private meeting with President-elect Brown to some members of the press. I can tell you that I strongly urged the incoming administration NOT to do anything chaotic when it comes to our staunch allies and friends like Korea, Japan, the Philippines, Taiwan, West Germany, Greece, Italy, etc.,"
President-elect Brown: "First off, I am not going to antagonize the ROKUS Alliance, but reports are coming out of there about several instances of human rights violations in the Republic of Korea under President Park's administration are very concerning and disturbing considering that he promised after his 1967 reelection, that he would step down after two terms.
Unfortunately, President Park used extreme methods and illegal procedures in staying in power by declaring martial law and jailing his political opponents on baseless allegations of conspiring against his administration.
When it comes to foreign policy: this incoming administration will use diplomatic approach and promoting the human rights campaign in order to urge many of these countries to opening up their countries to democracy."
Reporter#3: "Governor Brown. We've heard about the recent skirmishes between you and several members of the United States Senate, who've blasted your Era of Limits Initiative and one of the planks in your campaign's policy proposals called for term limits for Congress: the House of Representatives would limited to four two-year terms and the United States Senate limited to two six-year terms.
Of course, you know that majority inside both chambers of Congress such as United States Senator Barry Goldwater (R-AZ) referring to the Era of Limits and excuse the language, "Downright stupid pathetic know-nothing and weakling asshats pieces of shit!"
Your response to Senator Goldwater's comments?"
President-elect Brown: "No comment on Senator Goldwater's classless comments. He is the poster-child of why Congress will need term limits! It'll be the first policy proposal which will be voted on by the American people next Summer."
Reporter#4: "Governor Brown. Can we assume you and Ms. Ronstadt will be living in the White House once you become the 40th President of the United States on January 20th, 1977?"
President-elect Brown: "Yes. Linda and I will be living in the White House throughout the entirety of my incoming administration."
