288 a short history of the united states
Republicans in both the midterm election of 1974 and the presidential
election of 1976.
The year 1976 brought not only a presidential election but also the
bicentennial of the signing of the Declaration of Inde pendence on July
4 , 1776. The nation celebrated the event with many festive events and
parades, including an impressive display of sailing ships in New York
Harbor. It proved to be a welcome relief from all the scandals and vio-
lence that had taken place during the past several years.
Democrats not only celebrated July 4 but keenly looked forward to
the approaching presidential election. There were numerous candi-
dates, but Governor Jimmy Carter, a peanut farmer from Plains, Geor-
gia, won a series of primaries early in the campaign and went on to take
the nomination at the Democratic National Convention in New York
City on July 15. The fact that Hubert Humphrey had withdrawn as a
candidate eliminated the best-known possible rival. Carter then chose
Senator Walter F. Mondale of Minnesota as his running mate.
The Republicans chose Ford, despite a strong bid to replace him by
Ronald Reagan, the governor of California. In place of Rockefeller, who
withdrew, the convention named Senator Robert Dole of Kansas to run
for Vice President. Even though Carter enjoyed many advantages during
the contest—especially the soaring inflation, the Watergate scandal, and
the pardon of Nixon—he barely won the election. He received 40 , 829 , 056
popular and 297 electoral votes to Ford’s 39 , 146 , 006 popular and 240 elec-
toral votes—a 2. 1 percent difference. The Democratic Party also retained
control of both houses of Congress, electing 292 House members, to 143
Republicans. In the Senate the Democrats held a 62 to 38 advantage.
The Speaker of the House, Thomas P. (Tip) O’Neill of Massachu-
setts, met Jimmy Carter in Georgia after the election to discuss policy.
The President-elect explained his wish to conserve energy and his desire
to see conservation enacted by Congress. The Speaker wisely recom-
mended that he consult with committee chairmen about any of his proj-
ects. But Carter foolishly dismissed the suggestion, claiming there was no
need. If necessary, he said, he would appeal over the heads of the chair-
men to the people. At that moment, Tip knew they were in trouble.
During the inauguration on January 20 , 1977 , Carter broke with
tradition and, after the swearing-in ceremony, he and his wife walked
down Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol to the White House,