Nixon vs. Hughes- 1972

[PBrunsel]

Senator Harold Hughes of Iowa, a respected moderate in his party, decides to run for President and in response Senators Humphrey, Hartke, and Muskie drop out to endorse this fresh face. The race between Senator Hughes and Senator George McGovern is a close one, as McGovern has incredible appeal to the young and minorities, but Hughes has the backing of the establishment, and thus wins the nomination. Patrick Buchanan, a Nixon Advisor and Aide, attempts to sink the Hughes Campaign in the middle of the primaries by releasing “The Des Moines Letter” which states that Hughes, a known alcoholic, had not given up drinking. “Let’s get back to the issues,” Hughes tells an annoying press trying to embarrass him over the issue.

At the Miami Convention Hughes selects Governor Terry Sanford of North Carolina for Vice-President and calls for, “Moderation in the Democratic Party.” He points to his successes in creating jobs as Governor of Iowa and also declares that his first act as President was to, “Bring home every troop in Southeast Asia as soon as it is practical.” To appease the McGovern Delegates the Democratic Convention passes a “Peace Plank” to their platform.

President Nixon and Vice-President Agnew are renominated by the Republican Convention (also in Miami) where a successful convention is held. However, it is broken to Walter Cronkite (the most trusted man in America) that Nixon had approved the planting of “The Des Moines Letter” and he himself may have dictated it. Nixon denies this and also any ties he may have had to breaking into the Watergate Hotel.

With a small haze of scandal Senator Hughes felt that he could pull off an upset victory.

[PBrunsel]

Well this didn't get an expected response...



Nixon/Agnew (R): 343 Electoral Votes

Hughes/Sanford (D): 195 Electoral Votes

Hughes has huge support from the farm and rust belts, but is unable to offset Nixon's strength in the South or West.

[Lincoln Republican]

With the trust issue front and centre, and with the long held perception of many Americans of President Nixon still as "Tricky Dick," and with the beginnings of possibly a future scandal brewing in the nature of the Watergate break in, Senator Hughes is able to turn the election into a real contest.

With Governor Terry Sanford as his running mate, the Democrats are able to cut into the Republican leads in the south, however, not enough to win a southern state.

On the Republican side, many Americans are still wary of Spiro Agnew as Vice President, and the possibility of him becoming President in the event this becomes necessary.

Hughes scores well in strong Democratic territory in the northeast, in traditionally Democratic strongholds of Maryland and West Virginia, and of course, DC.  He also does very well in winning Illinois, and the upper midwest, and wins the upper west coast states of Oregon and Washington, and wins Hawaii.

In the end, however, President Nixon is able to parlay his time in office as President into a comfortable win, playing on his strengths on the world stage, and on continuing the reforms he had begun during his first term.

Nixon/Agnew          313 53%
Hughes/Sanford     225  47%         

[WalterMitty]

terry sanford!  my son's middle name is sanford in honor of that great man.

pbrunsel, wasnt hughes also a peacenik?  i also recall that he was a strong supporter of civil rights.