Stumping Louisiana, a newly confident Ronald Reagan talked with TIME National Political Correspondent Robert Ajemian. Excerpts:
Q. Until now you have been unwilling to predict that you would win the Republican nomination. Why do you now say you can beat Gerald Ford on the first ballot?
A. After four straight primary victories, I decided to say what I've really thought in my mind. People needed to hear me say that; so do all the uncommitted delegates. I believe I'm the only candidate who can beat Jimmy Carter, if he does win.
Ford made his first...