Vanderbilt Television News Archive

(Studio) John Connally endorses President Ford. New Hampshire Governor Meldrim Thomson abandons his support of Ronald Reagan. Republican Mississippi Representative Trent Lott says Reagan has "blown it" (by naming Representative Richard Schweiker as his Vice President). Republican leaders in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey and Delaware report no shift to Reagan.
REPORTER: Roger Mudd

(DC) [FORD - says Connally has announcement of some interest.] [CONNALLY - says best interests of country will be served in saying he supports Ford.] [FORD - doesn't exclude any Republican as Vice President potential. It is premature to talk about Connally as Vice President] Ford organization will capitalize on disaffection of Southern conservatives over Reagan naming liberal Schweiker as his Vice President Ford to fly to Mississippi Friday to talk to uncommitted delegates.
REPORTER: Bob Schieffer

(Studio) One of Reagan's earliest supporters, Governor Thomson, turns from Reagan.
REPORTER: Roger Mudd

(DC) February 1976 film shows Reagan and Thomson. [THOMSON - says Reagan scuttled his own political principles by appting. Schweiker.] Schweiker calls delegates on the phone. [SCHWEIKER - says he changed delegate's mind. Ticket can bring grass roots support.] There's no rush in N.E. to Reagan. [Pennsylvania Reagan chairperson Gordon HOFFMAN - says still has solid 16-20 Pennsylvania votes. Hoping for plus because of Schweiker.] [New York state Republican chairperson Richard ROSENBAUM - says Schweiker choice speeding Ford express.]
REPORTER: Morton Dean

(Studio) CBS poll shows Reagan has lost his edge in Mississippi.
REPORTER: Roger Mudd

(Jackson, Mississippi) Reagan backers meet with regard to his Vice President choice. [Mississippi state senate Charles PICKERING - disapptd. in the Schweiker choice.] [Reagan state chairperson W.D. "Billy" MOUNGER - says happy but Schweiker choice could result in Ford taking over Mississippi delegation.] [Mississippi Republican chairperson Clarke REED - comments on the Schweiker choice.] [Ford state chairperson Doug. SHANKS - says Reagan has lost many votes in South]
REPORTER: Bernard Goldberg

(Studio) CBS estimates Ford has 1121 delegates; 1031 for Ronald Reagan, and 107 undetermined.
REPORTER: Roger Mudd