I believe that had Gerald Ford selected Senator Howard Baker as his running mate instead of Bob Dole, he would have won his re-election bid over Jimmy Carter. Dole has proven in '76, '80, '88 and '96 that the American public doesnt want him in a higher office. Dole's debate with Mondale in '76 contributed to Ford's defeat with his remarks that went over well at a Republican fundraiser do not go over well when presented to the general public such as his comments calling WWI and WWII "Democratic Wars".
Baker, on the other hand, was seen as more moderate and he was riding on the wave of his Watergate investigative committee questions, with Senator Ervin (D-NC), such as "What did the President know and when did he know it?" Baker was seen by the public as being non partisan and being an America first, Republican second rather than the other way around. Baker also could have helped Ford carry Tennessee and perhaps Kentucky, North Carolina and South Carolina over Carter/Mondale
In conclusion, when Americans saw Dole and Mondale in the VP candidate debate of '76, they clearly were more comfortable with Mondale than with Dole
Baker, on the other hand, was seen as more moderate and he was riding on the wave of his Watergate investigative committee questions, with Senator Ervin (D-NC), such as "What did the President know and when did he know it?" Baker was seen by the public as being non partisan and being an America first, Republican second rather than the other way around. Baker also could have helped Ford carry Tennessee and perhaps Kentucky, North Carolina and South Carolina over Carter/Mondale
In conclusion, when Americans saw Dole and Mondale in the VP candidate debate of '76, they clearly were more comfortable with Mondale than with Dole
