President Symington in 1964

[Sir Mohamed]

Instead of LBJ, JFK selects Missouri Senator Stuart Symington as his running mate. After the tragedy in Dallas, Symington finds himself as president. In 1964, he seeks reelection to a full term as president.

Does he better or worse than LBJ?

[Mr. Smith]

Worse.

[Kingpoleon]

497: Pres. Stuart Symington(D-MO)/Mayor Sam Yorty(D-CA)
41: Sen. Barry Goldwater(R-AZ)/Rep. Walter Judd(R-MN)

[President Johnson]

I give him also Arizona. @Kingpoleon: The EV. in your scenario is also 491-47.

President Stuart Symington/Senator Hubert Humphrey: 491 EV. (61.3%)
Senator Barry Goldwater/Representative William E. Miller: 47 EV. (38.0%)

[Mr. Smith]

Alright fine, I'll get a map

Symington (D-MO)/Randolph (D-WV)
Goldwater (R-AZ)/ Miller (R-NY)

[Kingpoleon]

I give him also Arizona. @Kingpoleon: The EV. in your scenario is also 491-47.

President Stuart Symington/Senator Hubert Humphrey: 491 EV. (61.3%)
Senator Barry Goldwater/Representative William E. Miller: 47 EV. (38.0%)

Yeah, Symington has fairly broad appeal, and he could hardly seem like a worse person than Johnson.

[Mr. Smith]

I give him also Arizona. @Kingpoleon: The EV. in your scenario is also 491-47.

President Stuart Symington/Senator Hubert Humphrey: 491 EV. (61.3%)
Senator Barry Goldwater/Representative William E. Miller: 47 EV. (38.0%)

Yeah, Symington has fairly broad appeal, and he could hardly seem like a worse person than Johnson.

He's also a Generic D without the same clout, and likely would not attack Goldwater nearly as relentlessly.

It would take merciless attacks to win as a D in Utah, Idaho, or Virginia period. The only reason the Upper South would hold is because he's of Missouri. Only JFK or LBJ could do those things.