The "Presidentials" from the 1976 GOP National Convention Jim Patterson

My President Ford Convention Staff Identification Badge

It was one of my several jobs at the 1976 GOP National Convention in Kansas City.

This was the political shootout between President Ford and California Governor Ronald Reagan at Kansas City's Kemper Arena. I was a member of The Presidentias, a national group of young Republicans who did much more than serve as cheerleaders for President Ford.  

At Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation event in Grand Rapids, MI.

Reading "Time and Chance," a biography of Gerald R. Ford, Washington DC

At the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, Grand rapids, MI

With the Gerald R. Ford Memorial Stamp, Ford Presidential Museum, Grand Rapids, MI. 

In Jack Anderson's August 4, 1976 column, The Washington Merry-Go-Round, he announced the group as "Convention Cheerleaders."

"President Ford's son Jack recently sent out 10,000 letters to young, freshly-scrubbed Americans. He's trying to recruit 500 of them to cheer for his father at the Kansas City convention.

"Young Ford's letter offers them the chance to be "Presidentials." For this opportunity, they have to pay a $130 fee. They also have to pay for their transportation costs. (I flew Delta from Atlanta.) But once in Kansas City, their expenses will be picked up by the President's campaign committees.

"The "Presidentials" will be admitted inside the convention hall, Jack Ford promises. They won't actually be allowed on the convention floor, but they'll participate in rallies and demonstrations. Or, to use Jack Ford's words they'll 'provide the enthusiasm my father will need to win.'

The "Presidentials" should be easy to spot on your television screen. They'll be young, probably somewhat hoarse, dressed in red-and-white tee shirts emblazoned, 'President Ford '76."

Less than 50 words. Jack Ford wanted 500 participants. He got more than 1,000! The final count is based on my recollection and news articles from 1976 I located from other participants.

I am doing additional research.

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Jim Patterson Diplomat, Writer, Speaker,