U.S. President Gerald R. Ford smokes his pipe as he heads to the 1976 Republican National Convention. Ford had more delegates at the time than his challenger, Ronald Reagan, but the race was close and both candidates would need to win over uncommitted delegates to secure the nomination.
David Hume Kennerly
Ford, en route to the convention, speaks with staff members and delegates aboard Air Force One. David Hume Kennerly, Ford's chief White House photographer, was among the group heading to the convention in Kansas City, Missouri.
David Hume Kennerly
Ford puts his arm around Vice President Nelson Rockefeller in Kansas City. Before the convention, Ford dropped Rockefeller from his ticket. "Advisers felt -- and (Ford) ultimately agreed -- that he needed a more conservative running mate to offset Reagan," Kennerly said. Rockefeller's replacement was U.S. Sen. Bob Dole from Kansas.
David Hume Kennerly
Ford addresses the uncommitted Mississippi delegation during the GOP convention. "Ford was personally on hand in the effort to get delegates," Kennerly said.
David Hume Kennerly
Ford meets with Minnesota delegates in his suite. In all, there were approximately 150 uncommitted delegates.
David Hume Kennerly
Ford meets with the Hawaiian delegation. His advantage, Kennerly said, were the perks of power, such as Air Force One and invitations to state dinners.
David Hume Kennerly
A Ford supporter wears a silly hat at the convention, which took place at Kemper Arena.
David Hume Kennerly
Ford works on a speech in his suite.
David Hume Kennerly
Ford and his son Steve talk strategy. "The thing I remember most about the convention was that President Ford had his family there," Kennerly said. "Everybody was really involved. His kids were going out and lobbying delegates themselves. It was kind of a family affair."
David Hume Kennerly
First lady Betty Ford shares a playful moment with her daughter, Susan.
David Hume Kennerly
Ford meets with his closest advisers, including Rockefeller, to discuss his running mate. "It was around 3 a.m. when he made the VP final call," Kennerly said.
David Hume Kennerly
Ford and Dole are seen at the White House later that summer. "Dole has a reputation for a biting sense of humor -- funny guy," Kennerly remembered. "The only thing (Ford) asked him to do was reel in his humor a bit: 'A lot of people just don't get your humor.' Ford was probably one of them."
David Hume Kennerly
White House Chief of Staff Dick Cheney sits in the president's suite counting delegates during the convention's roll call. Cheney was 35 years old at the time. Of course, he would go on to become a congressman, defense secretary and vice president of the United States.
David Hume Kennerly
Ford's son Mike and Mike's wife, Gayle, watch the roll call results.
David Hume Kennerly
Ford "was personally writing down all the numbers," Kennerly said. Ford would clinch the nomination with 1,187 delegates to Reagan's 1,070 (53%-47%).
David Hume Kennerly
Ford watches the results on television. "When he crossed over, he broke into a big smile," Kennerly said.
David Hume Kennerly
Ford's son Jack holds up a newspaper hailing his father's victory over Reagan.
David Hume Kennerly
Ford congratulates James Baker for successfully overseeing his delegate hunt. Later in his career, Baker would become White House chief of staff for two other Republican Presidents. He was also treasury secretary under Ronald Reagan and secretary of state under George H.W. Bush.
David Hume Kennerly
Ford and Reagan head to a news conference after Ford won the nomination. "Ford had been unhappy that Reagan ran against an incumbent president, and it shows in this picture," Kennerly said.
David Hume Kennerly
"What I saw behind the scenes was very tense and not very friendly, because Ford was really unhappy with Reagan," Kennerly recalled. "At the press conference, the rest of the world sees smiling faces."
David Hume Kennerly
The Ford family gathers backstage before the President accepted the nomination on the final night of the convention. From left are Steve Ford, Susan Ford, President Ford, Betty Ford, Jack Ford, Gayle Ford, and Mike Ford.
David Hume Kennerly
The President and first lady share a tender moment before he made his speech accepting the nomination. Earlier in the week, when the nomination was still up in the air, Kennerly recalled the first lady telling her husband: "Don't worry, Jerry. I'm gonna love you anyway. In fact, I might love you more if you don't win."
David Hume Kennerly
Ford and Reagan share the spotlight at the end of the convention. Reagan would win the nomination four years later and defeat Jimmy Carter in the general election.
David Hume Kennerly
Ford and his wife wave to the crowd after accepting the nomination. Ford went on to lose a close election that year to Carter.
