Why did MA always support Nixon for VICE president, but never president?

[RIP Robert H Bork]

As you probably know, Massachusetts was the only state never to have supported Nixon for president (they voted Democrat in 1960, 1968 and 1972).

It's even more interesting, however, when you consider that Massachusetts always supported Nixon for vice president (they voted Republican in both 1952 and 1956).

Hm.

[Illuminati Blood Drinker]

The most probable cause was the fact that back then, no one really cared about who was nominated for VP. Most of the attention was given to the presidential candidates. So, it's likely that Mass. liked Eisenhower, and voted for him both times.

Also, Kennedy was from Massachusetts, if I'm correct.

[RIP Robert H Bork]

The most probable cause was the fact that back then, no one really cared about who was nominated for VP. Most of the attention was given to the presidential candidates. So, it's likely that Mass. liked Eisenhower, and voted for him both times.

Also, Kennedy was from Massachusetts, if I'm correct.

Yes, of course. But Massachusetts never supported presidential-candidate Nixon, against Kennedy or anyone else.

(They even supported McGovern in 1972 over Nixon, and I've always ridiculed them for it. They were the only Democratic state back then, and that's why they were also the only state not to ever support him for president.)

[bgwah]

They must have liked Eisenhower.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

They must have liked Eisenhower.

Exactly, it was about the top of the ticket.

Eisenhower was popular everywhere, Kennedy was from MA, from that point on MA showed a consistent leftward bent.

Even when it did go to the GOP, it went by a very small margin, in GOP landslides (41.9% v 50.7% in 1980 and 51.2% v 58.7% in 1984)

[Liberalrocks]

Massachusetts began showing its leftward tendencies in the 60s with the Kennedy's and became more liberal as the years went on. In the 1980 it voted for Reagan by a whisker because Anderson split the democratic vote. In 1984 its worth noting that it was the closest state to vote for Reagan over Mondale in that massive landslide. Reagan won it by only 51 to 48% where nationally he won 58 to 40. The same trend is noted in Rhode Island however Nixon did carry it and Reagan narrowly in 84.

I believe my homestate of California is heading in this direction after voting so heavily democratic in a republican midterm election year. Also voting for Obama 61-37% in 2008 and not voting for a republican for president since 1988.

[Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey]

The Republican Party was much more kinder to liberals in the 1950s.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

The Republican Party was much more kinder to liberals in the 1950s.

You mean... when they didn't use the term as an insult?

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Massachusetts supported Eisenhower.

That's an answer.

[Obnoxiously Slutty Girly Girl]

Eisenhower won everything outside the South; the idea that he won Massachusetts because of Richard Nixon is somewhat ridiculous.

[DS0816]

The Republican Party was much more kinder to liberals in the 1950s.

You mean... when they didn't use the term as an insult?

Realignment of the two parties.

When John McCain and Barack Obama had one of their 2008 presidential debates, McCain mentioned Teddy Roosevelt. I think McCain mentioned something leadership from Roosevelt he'd like to emulate (had he been the winner). Funny how few picked up on that, what with Teddy having been the 1912 nominee in the Progressive Party (after the blowup with his Republican Party and incumbent/Teddy's successor William Howard Taft).

[Liberalrocks]

Mr McCain you sir are no Teddy Roosevelt !

[Obnoxiously Slutty Girly Girl]

Mr McCain you sir are no Teddy Roosevelt !

Sure he is. So is Obama.

[Antonio the Sixth]

It's not like they voted for Nixon as VP. They merely voted for Ike as President, just like every single non-southern State.

Also, Massachusetts becoming that solid dem stronghold began only in 1960, before then it was a kind of swing State.

[Mechaman]

It's not like they voted for Nixon as VP. They merely voted for Ike as President, just like every single non-southern State.

Also, Massachusetts becoming that solid dem stronghold began only in 1960, before then it was a kind of swing State.

Ditto.
Hell Truman won more votes in his shocking re-election victory than Roosevelt did in his four landslide elections (although in 1936 there was a strong third party showing by the "Union" ticket).
What I find really amazing though are the results in 1956 compared to 1960:
1956:
Dwight Eisenhower (New York)/Richard Nixon (California) 59.32%
Adlai Stevenson (Illinois)/Estes Kefauver (Tennessee) 40.37%
Now 1960:
John Kennedy (Massachusetts)/Lyndon Johnson (Texas) 60.22%
Richard Nixon (California)/Henry Lodge (Massachusetts) 39.55%

Looks like the Lodge name was worth jack sh*t by then.

[#CriminalizeSobriety]

It's not like they voted for Nixon as VP. They merely voted for Ike as President, just like every single non-southern State.

Also, Massachusetts becoming that solid dem stronghold began only in 1960, before then it was a kind of swing State.

Ditto.
Hell Truman won more votes in his shocking re-election victory than Roosevelt did in his four landslide elections (although in 1936 there was a strong third party showing by the "Union" ticket).
What I find really amazing though are the results in 1956 compared to 1960:
1956:
Dwight Eisenhower (New York)/Richard Nixon (California) 59.32%
Adlai Stevenson (Illinois)/Estes Kefauver (Tennessee) 40.37%
Now 1960:
John Kennedy (Massachusetts)/Lyndon Johnson (Texas) 60.22%
Richard Nixon (California)/Henry Lodge (Massachusetts) 39.55%

Looks like the Lodge name was worth jack sh*t by then.

Yes - even Ted was able to defeat George Cabot Lodge in his (I think) 62 bid.

The Lodges kindof epitomized the old Republican guard in Massachusetts - the Kennedys being the Democratic takeover.