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JAMES BUCKLEY, 53, would have won the convention booby prize had Schweiker not pre-empted it. New York's Republican-Conservative junior Senator permitted an abortive effort to win support for himself as an alternative to Ford or Reagan, thus diminishing his prime asset: an image as a non-politician who happens to be in politics. Buckley insisted his move was selfless —intended to prevent a first-ballot victory and permit delegates bound to a candidate whom they did not favor to vote their convictions on subsequent ballots. When a scant twelve delegates rallied to his tardily raised banner, Buckley withdrew to concentrate on his reelection race. Mused New York G.O.P. Chairman Richard Rosenbaum: "He got out just in time." Buckley stands to have trouble in November beating either Pat Moynihan or Bella Abzug, who are contesting for the Democratic nomination. If he loses and the Ford-Dole ticket is swamped, Buckley may well play a major role in forming an ideologically pure right-wing party.
HOWARD BAKER, 50, plainly has a future—though the appearance that he was passed over at near zero hour in the Veepstakes did nothing to enhance it. Severely disappointed, Baker signaled his intention to seek the presidency in 1980 and vowed: "If ever again I get involved in a presidential race, I can promise you I'll be in the driver's seat." He may make a third bid to become Republican Senate leader when Hugh Scott retires next January. If so, he will risk another setback: tradition favors elevation of the No. 2 man, Minority Whip Robert Griffin.
NELSON ROCKEFELLER, 68, at last appears reconciled to the only logical role open to him: elder statesman. He will campaign vigorously for Ford in northeastern industrial states, and elsewhere if asked. Should Ford win, Rocky is a long-shot possibility for Secretary of State; but he no longer savors the political infighting that is part of any Cabinet job. He would prefer to be a part-time adviser on issues that still absorb him—for example, energy and international economic development. His personally funded Commission on Critical Choices is being phased out, but he could create some other forum of his own. Says Rocky: "I'm the kind of person who has ideas. I learn about a problem and think of a solution and want to do something about it."
ELLIOT RICHARDSON, 56, faded. The Commerce Secretary has held a record four Cabinet posts and yearned to be Vice President. Though he remained on various lists till near the end, his liberal image and stodgy stump style foredoomed him. Richardson missed a White House call notifying him that he had been bypassed and, as he tried to return the call, learned from a passer-by that Dole had been chosen. If Ford is elected, Richardson could become Secretary of State, but he concedes that "I may be looking for a job in November." The opposition that he evokes from the conservatives in the Republican Party makes him an unlikely prospect for a future national ticket, but Richardson has no doubt about remaining a Republican anyway. Says he: "I believe in a two-party system, and if people like me don't stick with it, no matter how rocky the fortunes of the party, we aren't going to have one."