Ford made the first major decision of his re-election campaign in mid-1975 , when he selected Bo Callaway to run his campaign . The pardon of Nixon and the disastrous 1974 mid-term elections weakened Ford 's standing within the party , creating an opening for a competitive Republican primary . The intra-party challenge to Ford came from the conservative wing of the party ; many conservative leaders had viewed Ford as insufficiently conservative throughout his political career . Conservative Republicans were further disappointed with the selection of Rockefeller as vice president , and faulted Ford for the fall of Saigon , the amnesty for draft dodgers , and the continuation of détente policies . Ronald Reagan , a leader among the conservatives , launched his campaign in autumn of 1975 . Hoping to appease his party 's right wing and sap Reagan 's momentum , Ford requested that Rockefeller not seek re-election , and the vice president agreed to this request . Ford defeated Reagan in the first several primaries , but Reagan gained momentum after winning North Carolina 's March 1976 primary . Entering the 1976 Republican National Convention , neither Ford nor Reagan had won a majority of delegates through the primaries , but Ford was able to win the support of enough unpledged delegates to win the presidential nomination . Senator Bob Dole of Kansas won the vice presidential nomination
1976 Republican National Convention
1976 Republican National Convention
Presidency of Gerald Ford