Ford switches style

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34151, 12 May 1976, Page 23

Ford switches style

(N.Z.PA -Reuter —Copyright > | OMAHA (Nebraska). May 11. The people of Nebraska will vote today in a primary election that President Ford must win if he is to stop Mr Ronald Reagan gaining further momentum in his challenge for the Republican Party’s Presidential nomination. Mr Ford’s campaign has been badly hurt by four primary defeats in a week by the former Governor of California. Victory in Nebraska is seen as essential in his strug. gle to win back the initia-

tive and keep alive his hopes of returning to the White House as an elected President. Mr Ford also needs to win in today’s other primary, in West Virginia, though neither he nor Mr Reagan has campaigned hard there. Another candidate facing a critical test in Nebraska is Senator Frank Church, a late starter in the Democratic contest. This is the first primarx the Idaho Senator ha[fought, and a defeat by thf [front-runner, Mr Jimmy Car ter. at this stage would almost certainly mean rapic elimination from the race. President Ford, worried by his four recent losses, has now shifted his campaign emphasis away from defending his foreign and defence policies against Mr Reagan’s at-

tacks, towards a more post- ■ tive. more Presidential style ■ Speaking in Nebraska ar 'the week-end. Mr Ford told .audiences that he deserved their vote because under his [Presidency- there was peace jin the world and prosperity at home. His opponent was himself [campaigning in the state tell iing voters that Mr Ford had ■ presided over the slide of the United States into second place £s a super-power behind the Soviet Union Mans national Republican [leaders, and, it is teported, [members of Mr Ford's staff. I now believe Mr Reagan has [a good chance of capturing the Presidential nomination The last Republican Pres, ■ dent to be denied renomina |tion bv his partv was Ches iter Arthur nearlv a centurv lago.