Carlucci Nominated for VP (PJW)

October 8, 1971
WASHINGTON - Addressing his cabinet and Congress, President Richard Nixon revealed his nomination for the position of vice president, vacant since the resignation of Spiro Agnew a week ago. Representative Frank Carlucci (R-PA) received the nomination. Much of the audience was rather shocked; most pundits and political circles had the nomination going to Minority Leader Gerald Ford or his Secretary of Housing and Urban Development George Romney.

Despite the lukewarm reception, there were still a number of large cheers and applause, especially from the "Young Representatives", the faction headed by Carlucci. Members of the faction in the audience today included White House Chief of Staff Donald Rumsfeld and his advisers Charles Manson and Larry McDonald. The men are believed to all have met through their membership in the John Birch Society.

After a long-held handshake for the cameras, Carlucci addressed the crowd. "It's certainly an honor, Mr. President. I promise to serve the American way the best I can."

With the Drake Scandal closing in on Nixon, time of the essence for the Republicans to secure Carlucci's acceptance as Vice President. In this era of partisan politics, it is feared that the Democrat-held Senate might delay their acceptance of a Republican vice presidential nomination until Nixon presumably resigns, securing the ascendance of Democrat Speaker of the House Wilbur Mills to the presidency.