One of Ford's first acts upon assuming the presidency was to make Nelson Rockefeller the second vice-president appointed under the 25th Amendment (Ford being the first). Congress took until December to confirm the former New York governor and presidential hopeful, who accepted the job on the condition that he be given equal authority with Ford in domestic matters. Conservatives within the Republican Party opposed the appointment, and made it clear they would not support the ticket in 1976. Late in 1975, Rockefeller informed Ford that he would stand aside, and Ford reluctantly agreed to a conservative, Robert Dole of Kansas, to run in his place.
