Nothing explains Carter, Watergate changed everything. I remember the mood of the country as if it was yesterday, the Republicans could have run anyone short of God and the Dem's would have been elected.
Today we are facing a similar situation, the MSN's relentless criticism of the war in Iraq (regardless of how things are going), the housing market and of course energy prices.
This will be played up as the greatest economic downturn since the great depression, count on it.
The only way we can turn this around is with a Conservative that will energize the base with the ability to get enough crossover votes.
Mark my words, if Thompson or maybe Romney don't get the nomination we are toast.
How will it feel to have Obama in office of another Clintoon administration?
Actually, your memory is fuzzy. The repubs took the major hit in the congressional elections in 1974. Carter was not that strong of a candidate in ‘76. The electoral vote was Carter 297, Ford 240.