Now that Reagan was on the cusp of nomination, on March 13, Ford signed a document declaring his intent to run in those states that did require his assent—telling the aides who witnessed his signature, “You have to make sure if we don’t do this, these documents don’t ever see the light of day.” Two days later, however, he gathered his people in his Palm Springs living room and called it all off. Immediately after saying that, he launched into a tirade against Jimmy Carter, stalked out of the room in frustration,
