Massachusetts 1968 vs. 1960

[RIP Robert H Bork]

Hubert Humphrey in 1968 (63% compared to 33% for Nixon) did better in Massachusetts than home-stater John F. Kennedy in 1960 (60% compared to 40% for Nixon). Why?

[crypto-fascist superhero]

Hubert Humphrey in 1968 (63% compared to 33% for Nixon) did better in Massachusetts than home-stater John F. Kennedy in 1960 (60% compared to 40% for Nixon). Why?

Lingering sympathy vote due to the JFK assassination.  Never really went away, that's what changed MA from a D-leaning swing state to safe Democratic.

[Progressive Realist]

Hubert Humphrey in 1968 (63% compared to 33% for Nixon) did better in Massachusetts than home-stater John F. Kennedy in 1960 (60% compared to 40% for Nixon). Why?

Lingering sympathy vote due to the JFK assassination.  Never really went away, that's what changed MA from a D-leaning swing state to safe Democratic.

Plus, Nixon ran a more moderate campaign in 1960 vs 1968, and I'm guessing that Catholics increased as a percentage of the population in those eight years.

Also, a lot of people in MA (including moderate/liberal WASP Republicans) were dovish on Vietnam.

[crypto-fascist superhero]

Plus, Nixon ran a more moderate campaign in 1960 vs 1968, and I'm guessing that Catholics increased as a percentage of the population in those eight years.

Uh, no.  WASPs probably decreased though.

Also, a lot of people in MA (including moderate/liberal WASP Republicans) were dovish on Vietnam.

Nixon was perceived as more dovish on Vietnam than Humphrey (if only because of the LBJ connection).  I believe it's the only time my New-Dealer and quite pacifist grandfather voted Republican.

[Progressive Realist]

Plus, Nixon ran a more moderate campaign in 1960 vs 1968, and I'm guessing that Catholics increased as a percentage of the population in those eight years.

Uh, no.  WASPs probably decreased though.

Also, a lot of people in MA (including moderate/liberal WASP Republicans) were dovish on Vietnam.

Nixon was perceived as more dovish on Vietnam than Humphrey (if only because of the LBJ connection).  I believe it's the only time my New-Dealer and quite pacifist grandfather voted Republican.

Ah, ok.

Perhaps it also helped the Democrats in MA in 68 that Bobby Kennedy was murdered that year, and Ted was a Senator (in addition to the JFK sympathy vote)?

[crypto-fascist superhero]

Perhaps it also helped the Democrats in MA in 68 that Bobby Kennedy was murdered that year,

Yes, that definitely helped.

and Ted was a Senator (in addition to the JFK sympathy vote)?

Marginal effect, but Ted's endorsement certainly shored up Humphrey somewhat with Catholics and liberals.

[Nym90]

Hard to say for sure; Massachusetts seems to have been really moving towards the Ds at this time (see 1964 or 1972, also). As Al and others have pointed out, 1968 was very much a class-based election in a way that US politics basically hasn't been since, which may have played somewhat of a factor.

Lodge might have helped Nixon a bit in 1960, plus Eisenhower was pretty popular in MA as evidenced by the 1956 result in particular.

[GPORTER]

There was never a doubt that the Kennedys would endorse the democratic nominee in 1968. Even before the California primary, Bobby was speaking kindly for Hubert Humphrey.

[Californian Tony]

I don't know if it had an impact, but Cabot Lodge was Nixon's running mate in 1960.

[Communists For McCain]

I don't know if it had an impact, but Cabot Lodge was Nixon's running mate in 1960.

According the results (Kennedy won 60% in 1960) it seems that it helped the Republicans keep the five WASPs who were still in Massachusetts

[RIP Robert H Bork]

I don't know if it had an impact, but Cabot Lodge was Nixon's running mate in 1960.

Normally I'd say just the same, but having a Bay Stater as running mate would probably be outweighed by the other party having a Bay Stater as presidential nominee. Further, I think Henry Cabot Lodge was actually unseated by JFK in 1952 (although the margin wasn't large, admittedly).

[Liberalrocks]

I don't know if it had an impact, but Cabot Lodge was Nixon's running mate in 1960.

Normally I'd say just the same, but having a Bay Stater as running mate would probably be outweighed by the other party having a Bay Stater as presidential nominee. Further, I think Henry Cabot Lodge was actually unseated by JFK in 1952 (although the margin wasn't large, admittedly).

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