Comment on Cruise ships, a trailer park and more: Cleveland’s almost convention in 1976

Imagine delegates to the Republican convention coming to Cleveland and taking up residence on a Lake Erie cruise ship.Or in a makeshift trailer park.It almost happened 40 years ago.When talk gets around to whether the July convention in Cleveland will be contested, the conversation inevitably turns to 1976, when then-President Gerald Ford and challenger Ronald Reagan were still battling for the nomination as the conventioneers arrived in Kansas City.Ford prevailed in spite of bold moves by Reagan including his pre-convention selection of a running mate — a tactic current contender Ted Cruz is also using.