[149]
Reagan lost the first five primaries of 1976 including New Hampshire,[150] where he popularized the welfare queen narrative about Linda Taylor,[151] which criticized the welfare state and, according to his Florida campaign chairman, could court racially conservative voters. Though Reagan denied directly appealing to anti-black voters[152] and never overtly mentioned Taylor's name or race,[25] he exaggerated her misuse of welfare benefits and continued to ignite voter resentment for welfare reform.[153] In Florida, Reagan referred to a "'young fellow' buying steak with food stamps",[152] which has been used as an example of dog whistle politics.[154] Reagan also accused Ford for handing the Panama Canal to Panama's government while Ford implied that Reagan would end Social Security. When he finally defeated Ford in North Carolina, party delegates were convinced that Ford's nomination was no longer guaranteed.[155]
Reagan's continuation of attacks on social programs, his opposition to forced busing, and increased backing from supporters of a declining George Wallace presidential campaign led to subsequent victories in Texas, Alabama, Georgia, and Indiana.[156] The result was a seesaw battle with Ford for the minimum of 1,130 delegates required to secure their party's nomination, which neither would reach.