John Connally served a number of terms as governor of Texas, and was riding in the same car as John F. Kennedy when both were shot in Dallas on November 22, 1963. Some years later he left the Democratic Party and became a Republican. He worked closely with President Richard Nixon and in 1971 was appointed his Secretary of the Treasury. Connally became a candidate for the 1980 Republican nomination for president, running against George Bush, John Anderson, Bob Dole, Howard Baker and Ronald Reagan. This was formidable competition indeed. Nixon kept a low profile, but the following letter sheds light on who may have been his first choice.
Typed Letter Signed on his personal letterhead, San Clemente, Cal., May 5, 1979, to John Connally. “I thought the following paragraph from a letter I received from Senator Jack Nystrom of Iowa might be of interest. ÔIncidentally, Mr. President, I am about as confused as the little little boy who dropped his gun into the chicken-coop as to who to support for the Presidency in 1980. I am leaning in the direction of Governor Connally but have not had contact with him or his committee at this time.’”
By bringing information on a potential supporter to Connally, and thus encouraging him to build support, Nixon indicates a level of approval of Connally’s candidacy. Compounding Connally’s problems was the fact that he was facing one of the greatest campaigners in U.S. history, Ronald Reagan.