Was Reagan a turncoat for endorsing Ford in 76?
Reagan endorsed Ford after his defeat, and gave an eloquent and stirring speech that overshadowed Ford's own acceptance address.
President Ford and Ronald Reagan show solidarity after Ford secures the Republican nomination. From l-r: Robert Dole, Nancy Reagan, Ronald Reagan, Gerald Ford, Nelson Rockefeller, Happy Rockefeller, Betty Ford.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1976_Republican_National_Convention