Jackie Kennedy v Barry Goldwater 1964

[President Thomas E. Dewey]

As you know, the widow of a deceased office holder sometimes becomes that party's candidate for the next election.

President Lyndon B. Johnson does not seek a term as President in 1964 due to heart problems.

The Democrats prevail upon, and are successful, in convincing President John F. Kennedy's widow, Jackie Kennedy, to become the Democratic Presidential nominee in 1964.

Jackie chooses experienced and respected Minnesota Senator Hubert H. Humphrey as the Vice Presidential nominee.

The Republicans choose Arizona Senator Barry Goldwater for President and New York Congressman William Miller for Vice President.

Discuss please.
Results.
Maps.

[President Thomas E. Dewey]

Well?..........

[afleitch]

A third party candidate would emerge. Jackie would not have the experience and much of the country would not wish to burden her with job of running the country through sympathy rather than anything else.

The USA was not ready for a female president in 1964.

[President Thomas E. Dewey]

Thank you for your input.  You have raised some excellent points.

My take on what might have happened.

Jackie becomes overwhelmed with the campaign and the demands of a Presidential candidate after two weeks.  Jackie meets privately with Hubert Humphrey and asks him to replace her as the Presidential candidate.

Humphrey readily agrees, and picks Senator Henry Jackson of Washington for Vice President.  This ticket is immediately ratified by the Democratic National Committee.

The Humphrey/Jackson ticket goes on to win a landslide victory over the Goldwater/Miller ticket.

Hubert Humphrey realizes his lifelong dream of becoming President of the United States.

 

[kashifsakhan]

The only reason why Jackie Kennedy would get any votes would be due to her looks and charm. But overall she would get creamed.

[True Democrat]

The only reason why Jackie Kennedy would get any votes would be due to her looks and charm. But overall she would get creamed.

Am I a bad person for taking that sexually at first?

[kashifsakhan]

The only reason why Jackie Kennedy would get any votes would be due to her looks and charm. But overall she would get creamed.

Am I a bad person for taking that sexually at first?

Yes, yes yor are....

[Adlai Stevenson]

There is intense speculation following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on 22nd November 1963.  Americans and the world watch spellbound by his lavish funeral, as his grieving First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy and children mourn him publicly. 

On 29th November 1963, the president's widow addresses the nation on television.  Jackie Kennedy thanks all the words of condolence have received, her speech is emotional and powerful, her voice cracks as she tells the watching public that:

"Every citizen upon earth has been free to express their grief and condolences at the death of my husband; there is no greater monument nor tribute to Jack than the appreciation of every person in the world, to love and mourn his memory in freedom."

The First Lady ends her speech:

"But the death of my husband and president has only reinforced my conviction in his crusade, to bring freedom to every American, and peace to every person on earth."

Following her television address the Gallup poll finds Jacqueline Kennedy is the most admired public figure in the world.  Soon afterwards, Attorney General Robert Kennedy quietly begins sounding out support for his sister-in-law to become the Democratic Presidential candidate in 1964.  Although Vice President Lyndon Johnson ascended to the office upon the death of Kennedy, many Northern liberals in the Democratic party have questioned his commitment to the policies and ideals of the late president.  They decide to join the draft-Kennedy movement.

On 13th December 1963, a CBS News Reports Special centres around the topic: 'Mrs Jacqueline Kennedy, President of the United States?'  The programme features interviews with Senator Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts, who says that he knows his sister-in-law is commited to her late husband's cause; Senator Eugene McCarthy of Minnesota, also interviewed, says that he wishes she would run for president.  A week later, a Gallup poll finds that 41% of Americans would support a Jackie Kennedy candidacy for President, while only 19% would not favour her candidacy.  The poll also finds that Americans approve of their First Lady 95% to 3%. 

This is followed by intense press speculation over Mrs Kennedy, who has remained shrouded in the White House since her TV address.  The Washington Post, the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times all devote front-pages to discussion of Jackie Kennedy for president. 

On 22nd December 1963, a month after her husband's assassination, Mrs Kennedy appears in public at a memorial dinner for the president.  As well as the Kennedy family and friends such as Frank Sinatra, are President Johnson, former Presidents Harry Truman and Dwight Eisenhower, former British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan, New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller, Civil Rights leader, the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. and prominent members of Congress.  At the dinner Mrs Kennedy is toasted following an eloquent speech in which she reaffirms her commitment to JFK's Civil Rights programme, she says: "Perhaps there is a moment in time where an ordinary person is chosen for greatness, or called to its task.  At this moment, I devote myself to the greatness of the task ahead in place of my husband."  News reporters all over the world understand this as a formal declaration for office on behalf of Mrs Kennedy.

The news electrifies people all over America, especially women and blacks.  The Democratic Women of Massachusetts endorse Mrs Kennedy for the presidency and the Mississippi Freedom Conference also calls for her to accept public office.  President Lyndon Johnson watches with dismay as the Democratic party organisation in the North and East gets behind Jackie, effectively managed by Robert Kennedy. 

On 10th January 1964, a Gallup poll finds that Jacqueline Kennedy leads Lyndon Johnson for the Democratic Presidential nomination by a vote of 62% to 29%.  Gallup also surveys voters on the prospect of Kennedy vs. Arizona Senator Barry Goldwater, the First Lady leads him 69% to 12%.

[President Thomas E. Dewey]

Excellent alternate scenario, Adlai.  Thank you.

Most interesting.

[adam]

I pretty much agree that a presidential campaign would just overwhelm Jackie in her time of grief. Especially since she has no campaign experience what so ever. Provided that she stays in the race, people would see her as emotionally unstable and not in well enough mental health to run the country. Results:



Kennedy/Humphert - 44% - 187 EVs
Goldwater/Miller - 56% - 351 EVs