The Ford Library has extensive holdings concerning the 1976 presidential campaign from both the Ford White House Papers and the records of the President Ford Committee, the president's campaign committee.  The Library's holdings on this topic are described in the handout Core Collections on the 1976 Presidential Campaign. The documents below, many of them originally selected for a Library exhibit "What It Takes.. The (Sometimes) Bumpy Road to the White House" in 1996, are but a small selection of the Library's holdings.

Early Planning for the Campaign Campaign Fundraising - Fred Slight memo, March 25, 1975 Initiation of Campaign Planning - briefing paper, April 1975 Role of Television and Radio in the Campaign - Bob Mead memo, June 19, 1975 Formal Announcement of the President's Candidacy - Jerry Jones memo, July 1, 1975

The Primary Campaign and the Ronald Reagan Challenge Comments on the Potential Candidacy of Ronald Reagan - Jerry Jones memo, September 26, 1975 Analysis of Early Research on Perceptions, Style, and Themes - Robert Teeter memo, November 12, 1975 Slowing Ronald Reagan's Momentum - Robert Teeter memo, December 11, 1975 National Polls and Campaign Strategy - Robert Teeter memo, December 24, 1975 Critique of the President Ford Committee - Jack Stiles report, February 24, 1976 TV Commercial Attacking Ronald Reagan's Candidacy - Bruce Wagner memo, April 7, 1976 An Explanation of the Reagan Victories in Texas and the Caucus States - report, May 1976 Campaign Advice to President Ford - Barry Goldwater letter, May 7, 1976

General Election Campaign Planning & Republican National Convention Ford Campaign Strategy - Observations by George Will - Stef Halper memo, June 11, 1976 Proposed Theme Speeches - Jim Reichley memo, July 14, 1976 Cows Soil the President's Suit: Problems Campaigning on the Road - Dorrance Smith memo, July 26, 1976 Campaign Strategy Plan for the Ford Campaign, August 1976 1976 Republican Party Platform, August 17, 1976 President Ford's Remarks Upon Accepting the Republican Presidential Nomination, August 19, 1976 Preliminary Media Plan for the Ford Campaign, August 21, 1976

The General Election Campaign Against Jimmy Carter President Ford '76 Factbook, September 1976 (compilation by campaign committee staff concerning accomplishments, quotes, and views) Campaign Advocate Travel - Jim Baker memo, September 8, 1976 Debate Strategies - David Gergen memo, September 18, 1976 Presidential Campaign Debate Transcript (domestic policy), September 23, 1976 Campaigning in the South - David Gergen and Jerry Jones memo, September 24, 1976 Presidential Campaign Debate Transcript (foreign policy), October 6, 1976 Student Reactions to the Debate, Milt Mitler Memo, October 8, 1976 Objectives and Suggestions for the Third Debate - Mike Duval memo, October 18, 1976 President Ford Committee Newsletter, October 19, 1976 (PDF File) Advice for Press Conference - Dick Cheney memo, October 20, 1976 Presidential Campaign Debate Transcript, October 22, 1976 Speech Themes for Return Home to Michigan, Jack Marsh Memo, November 1, 1976 Electoral Vote - Map, November 3, 1976 Election Concession Statement Read by First Lady Betty Ford, November 3, 1976 (PDF File) Starting the Transition Process - Jimmy Carter letter, November 3, 1976

Miscellaneous

• Sheet Music for Ford Campaign Song "I'm Feeling Good About America"
• Campaign Photographs