From the Encyclopedia Americana,  "1976, Election of"

    Democratic-Muskie/Galifianakis- 347 Electoral Votes.  52.33% of the Popular Vote
    Republican- Dole/Kemp-  191 Electoral Votes.  45.78% of the Popular Vote.

    With polls showing that many voters at the last few days before the election switched from Dole to Muskie, and a strong Democratic vote in the Ozarks and Appalachia, the Democrats were able to win the White House once again.  The Canuck Letter, which at first boosted Dole's popularity in New England, was blamed by Republicans for his poor showing in conservative states like New Hampshire where he was expected to win.  In Michigan and New Jersey, the election was too close to call until into the morning of November 8th.  Although they went to Muskie, Dole's strength in those two states were a testament to his campaign to appeal to Northern voters.

The Morning After-

    Commentator- With us today to assess the election, we have Republican Senator George Bush of Texas from the Right, and Democratic Senator Gary Hart of Colorado from the Left.  Greetings to you both.
    Bush- Hello.
    Hart- Good Morning.
    Commentator- First, let's focus on the present.  Senator Bush, why have the Republicans been unable to elect a President for the past five elections?
    Bush- Well I believe that the inability this year was completely out of our hands.  Early in the election, Senator Dole was leading in the polls in New Hampshire, Vermont, Michigan, New Jersey, and a series
of other states.  Although Senator Galifianakis had been campaigning in the South, the polls there still showed Muskie behind in every state of the South.  The blame for this defeat rests 100% on Pat Buchanan and the forged letter.
    Commentator-  While the French Canadian vote did vote solidly against Dole in New England after it was revealed that Buchanan forged the letter, I don't believe French Canadians make up a large percent
of the vote in Arkansas, or New Jersey.  What happened there?
    Bush- Once the fact that the letter was forged was found out, Senator Dole campaigned in New  England heavily to try to keep his strength in those areas strong.  That failed.  At the same time, he had
to take time away from his campaign in key states.  Dole's message of responsible government and social morality connected with the voters. If Republicans continue that message, the White House is reachable.
    Commentator- Senator Hart, what is your response to Senator Bush's comments?
    Hart- Well I couldn't disagree more.  The anti-government message of Reagan has clearly been refuted by the American voter, they have spoken out and said that government can and should help solve problems.  The strength of Dole is clearly a representation of how the Republicans have been able to moderate their message.
    Commentator- So would you blame the letter for his defeat?
    Hart- Maybe for his defeat in states like New Hampshire, but not nationally.  The resourcefulness of President-Elect Muskie to respond to the growing threat of the Catholic vote going to Dole is what prevented states like Michigan and New Jersey from going to Dole.  Vice President Elect-Galifianakis was key in bringing the message of equal economic opportunity to Appalachia and the Ozarks, key areas in the Democratic victory in Arkansas and Missouri.  The Democratic message just connected with more voters.
    Commentator- It seems that not everyone agrees that Dole's message was better than that of Reagan four years ago.  Senator Bush, how do you respond to statements from your fellow Republican Senators that the time has come to return to the call for destroying the present welfare system totally, and not the reduction Senator Dole supported, and enacting the tax cuts that Reagan called for.
    Bush- The American people deserve tax relief when the government can allow it, but cutting taxes without cutting spending will result in nothing except hurting the American economy and running the country more into debt.  As for doing away with all welfare programs, I think that the programs are justified.  We should not just leave our elders or disabled behind to suffer when we can aid them.  What isn't justified is paying people not to work.
    Commentator- President-elect Muskie has said that he will consider reforming the current welfare system to focus more on the programs of the Fair Share.  Ending poverty by providing jobs and a base income for the poor.  FAP will focus on getting single parents jobs instead of depending on welfare payments.  Do you see Congressional Republicans supporting FAP?
     Bush- I certainly hope so.  It is about time that the Democrats begin to focus on the family, that they begin to see that the welfare state up to this point has been the cause of family break ups, the cause of single mother households and out of wedlock births.  We need to encourage families to stay together.
    Commentator- Along with his welfare proposals, President-Elect Muskie faces two main problems.  Energy and Drugs.  Senator Hart, what must be done to stop this drug epidemic?
    Hart- It is simple supply and demand.  We must treat the demand for drugs in America, and prevent the supply from getting into the United States at the border.  Republicans and Democrats agree on beefing up
border patrols and working with foreign governments to stop the production of drugs in their country.  We disagree on what to do at home.
    Commentator- Republicans such as Senator Rhodes of Ohio have called for mandatory death sentence for those who are found possessing drugs. Isn't that a bit radical, Senator Bush?
    Bush- It is in the right direction.  We need to crack down on drug use in America, and make sure that people know that they are punished if they break the law.  A slap on the wrist won't do.  We need to eradicate the problem at home, we cannot allow it to continue and corrupt America any longer.
    Commentator- OPEC and the Middle East will be a problem, both in Foreign Affairs and Energy.  Senator Hart, you were elected on a platform that strongly supported protecting the environment.  What must the President do to solve this energy crisis?
    Hart- Clearly the answer is conservation.  We need to start using less oil, and also use more alternative energy.  The American people have a right to clean air and water, a right to enjoy the environment.  We need to protect the environment from Big Business and those who would destroy it in the name of energy production.
    Commentator- There is no way around it, Senator Bush, you are an oilman.  How does the energy crisis appear from your viewpoint?
    Bush-  Conservation can help, but it cannot solve all our problems.  We need to continue to increase energy production to meet the increase in demand for energy.  When we must import oil, we need to make sure it comes from our allies and not enemies.  As part of our foreign policy we need to protect our allies who supply us with oil, and work to encourage our own domestic production of oil and other energy sources.
    Commentator-  Before the show is over, each of you, what is the biggest problem faced by the Muskie administration in the next four years.  Senator Hart, you first.
    Hart-  Republicans unwilling to compromise on the drug issue.
    Bush-  Being dependent on other countries for our energy.

To Part II.

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