1968: RFK Survives

[Alabama_Indy10]

What happens if RFK doesn't get assassinated? Does he win the Democratic nomination? The presidency?

[Former Senator Haslam2020]

He wins both. Especially if it was a failed assassination attempt, I see him winning in 1068, if he delivers his promises, he'd win 72. But after that, Youd have a Republican for two terms. Probably Reagan.

[RogueBeaver]

HHH had won the nomination before CA, RFK and McCarthy preferred HHH to each other. So either HHH crushes them on the first ballot or RFK endorses HHH before balloting. RFK will be the next Dem POTUS in 1976.

[Rookie Yinzer]

He loses the nomination in 68 and runs again in 76.

If he did win the nomination he would have lost to Nixon and came back in 76 to win in a landslide, with the Watergate fallout, his 18-21 year old supporters being able to vote, and increased voter participation from racial minorities.

[Oppo]

The primaries don't matter in 1968, so HHH is nominated. RFK runs in 1972 and has a more respectable showing against Nixon. If he does get the nomination, LBJ will actively work against RFK. That puts Texas out of reach, and all hopes of a victory.

[Sumner 1868]

RFK was polling terribly all through 1968 and Eugene McCarthy was doing better in match-up polls with Nixon, so even if he slips past the Johnson machine at the convention he'll get defeated. It's unlikely he runs in 1976, either, will the embarrassing Church Committee revelations about his brother, and Chappaquiddick, and what not.