It wasn't the pardon. It was a combination of failing to acknowledge the Soviet domination of Poland, and the fact the many southerners wanted to vote for "one of their own" that year. Of course, the latter wised up four years later.
Watergate had a cumulative effect in 1976.
Also, Reagan gave Ford a serious run in the primaries, and many in the GOP couldn’t enthusiastic support of an establishment guy like Ford.
I don’t know a specific reason but I sure remember the election and what a mess Jimmah made of our country in the ensuing four years.
And he was a freakin’ moderate, just like the class of ‘08. History repeating itself.
“It was a combination of failing to acknowledge the Soviet domination of Poland, and the fact the many southerners wanted to vote for “one of their own” that year.”
Southerners, being mostly conservative, were tired of Rockefeller Republicans, country club republicans and other Moderate (ie liberal) republicans. The GOP always seems to come thru for the most liberal republicans, gee could it be that is why they aren’t getting many donations these days?