Editing Nancy Reagan (section)

== Role in 1976 and 1980 presidential campaigns ==
{{Main|1976 United States presidential election|1980 United States presidential election}}
Governor Reagan's gubernatorial time in office ended in 1975, and he did not run for a third term; instead, he met with advisors to discuss a possible bid for the [[1976 United States presidential election|1976]] presidency, challenging incumbent president [[Gerald Ford]]. Ronald still needed to convince a reluctant Nancy before running, however.<ref>Benze, James G. (2005), p. 32.</ref> She feared for her husband's health and his career as a whole, though she felt that he was the right man for the job and eventually approved.<ref name="lpm64">Loizeau, P.M. (2004), p. 64.</ref> Nancy took on a traditional role in the campaign, holding coffees, luncheons, and talks.<ref name="lpm64" /> She also oversaw personnel, monitored her husband's schedule, and occasionally provided press conferences.<ref name="Benze, James G., Jr. (2005), p. 33" /> The 1976 campaign included the so-called "battle of the queens", contrasting Nancy with First Lady [[Betty Ford]]. They both spoke out over the course of the campaign on similar issues, but with different approaches.<ref>Loizeau, P.M. (2004), p. 65.</ref> Nancy was upset by the warmonger image that the Ford campaign had drawn of her husband.<ref name="lpm64" />

Though he lost the 1976 Republican nomination, Ronald Reagan ran for the presidency a second time in [[1980 United States presidential election|1980]]. He succeeded in winning the nomination and defeated incumbent rival [[Jimmy Carter]] in a landslide. During this second campaign, Nancy played a prominent role, and her management of staff became more apparent.<ref name="Benze, James G., Jr. (2005), p. 33">Benze, James G., Jr. (2005), p. 33.</ref> She organized a meeting among feuding campaign managers [[John Sears (political strategist)|John Sears]] and [[Michael Deaver]] and her husband, which resulted in Deaver leaving the campaign and Sears being given full control. After the Reagan camp lost the [[Iowa caucuses|Iowa Caucus]] and fell behind in [[New Hampshire primary|New Hampshire]] polls, Nancy organized a second meeting and decided it was time to fire Sears and his associates; she gave Sears a copy of the press release announcing his dismissal.<ref name="Benze, James G., Jr. (2005), p. 33" /> Her influence on her husband became particularly notable; her presence at rallies, luncheons, and receptions increased his confidence.<ref>Loizeau, P.M. (2004), p. 69.</ref>