Nation: Inside the Jerry Ford Drama

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Back at the Plaza, the two teams struggled on to break the impasse presented by Ford's reluctance and Reagan's vagueness—and the growing resentment of Reagan's aides at the enormity of Ford's conditions. Said one later: "Ford was really asking the President to abdicate some of his constitutional authority." The fact that Kissinger was so directly involved, shuttling back and forth, added to their irritation. Asked one angrily: "How the hell did he get involved in negotiating Ford's job?"

Growing a bit impatient, Reagan called Ford at 9:15 p.m. to tell him that a decision had to be made that night. Yet Ford could not bring himself to say no. He knew that Greenspan and Kissinger still felt an accommodation could be reached. Ford's response to Reagan's push was noncommittal.

Shortly before 10 p.m., as the Ford and Reagan representatives labored to work out some kind of formula, Kissinger interrupted with a timely thought. "I think that we have something we should say: 'There may not be a decision before tomorrow.' " Wirthlin appreciated Kissinger's realization that the Reaganites felt they were working against a deadline. "Thank you," he said. "We are in a time bind." The Reagan team left to report to their boss.

In Reagan's view, time indeed was running out. Patience, too, was being exhausted by both Reagan and Ford. The two men knew the rumors on the convention floor were getting out of hand. At 10:30 p.m. a weary Ford turned to Betty to declare: "I'm going down to tell him I'm not going to do it." Ford changed into a business suit and at 11 p.m. made the short walk to Reagan's suite. They talked for a mere ten minutes, reflecting none of the bitterness that some of their aides felt over the sudden disintegration of a dream.

Before rushing off to Joe Louis Arena to dispel what was turning into mass confusion, Reagan made an essential phone call. At the Pontchartrain, George Bush had changed into a red polo shirt and khaki trousers. Dejected, he munched on popcorn and sipped a Stroh's beer.

At 11:37 p.m. the phone in his suite rang. His campaign manager, James Baker, picked it up to hear a Reagan aide ask: "Is George Bush there?" Replied Baker: "Who's calling?" The answer: "Governor Reagan."

Bush braced himself for the bad news. His bitter aides had surmised that Reagan probably would announce Ford's acceptance without even a courtesy call to let him down gently. Now he listened as Reagan said: "I plan to go over to the convention and tell them you are my first choice for the nomination." Bush's tense face broke into a grin. To Baker he flashed a signal: Thumbs up.

— Ed Magnuson