1960 JFK Picks Paul Douglas For VP. What Happens?

[Lincoln Republican]

In 1960, Democratic Presidential candidate Senator John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts and his top advisors come to the conclusion that the 1960 Presidential election will be decided in the crucial battleground states of the midwest, with Illinois being crucial to their hopes of victory.  They reason they have been historically strong in the south, both in 1952 and in 1956, and believe they will be able to hold onto most their southern strength in 1960. 

The name of experienced and respected Illinois Senator Paul H. Douglas, U.S. Senator since 1949, comes up immediately in the Vice Presidential deliberations.  Douglas is a Protestant, he has a distinguished military record of service, earning two purple hearts, and politically, Douglas has an impressive record as a strong advocate of equal rights for African Americans, while at the same time fighting for fiscal discipline, environmental protection, public housing, and truth in lending laws.

Although 68 years old, Douglas is in excellent health, and is an aggressive and tenacious campaigner.  Douglas is still 3 years younger than the successful 1948 Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Alben W. Barkley.         

A decision is therefore reached on the Vice Presidential nomination, and John F. Kennedy puts in a call to Senator Douglas, asking him to be his Vice Presidential running mate.  Douglas graciously accepts the offer, and wins unanimous and enthusiastic endorsement from the Democratic National Convention.  Senator Lyndon B. Johnson of Texas, the Senate Majority Leader, formally nominates Douglas for the Vice Presidency, and delivers a rousing and dramatic speech in behalf of the Douglas Vice Presidential candidacy.  The Democrats enter the 1960 Presidential election united solidly behind their ticket.

The Republicans, as expected, nominate Vice President Richard M. Nixon for President, and Nixon picks former Massachusetts Senator and former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., Henry Cabot Lodge for Vice President.

Republican
For President, Vice President Richard M. Nixon of California
For Vice President, Former Senator and former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Henry Cabot Lodge of Massachusetts

Democrat
For President, Senator John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts
For Vice President, Senator Paul H. Douglas of Illinois

Does the Democrats "midwest strategy" work?

How does this 1960 election turn out? 

Maps? 

[Lincoln Republican]

In other words, pursuing a midwestern strategy, and not going with LBJ for VP, darn near costs JFK the election.

[Lincoln Republican]

How Nixon could conceivably have won in 1960, with the Democrats pursuing a midwest strategy, and JFK choosing Douglas for VP

Nixon/Lodge                269
Kennedy/Douglas        249
Unpledged Electors       19

[Lincoln Republican]

nixon/lodge: 51%,  266 EVs
kennedy/douglas: 48%, 252 EVs
unpledged electors: 19 EVs

douglas costs kennedy the south.

the election goes to the house.  kennedy is elected.

Walter, thank you for your interesting election results.

I realize under these circumstances with no candidate receiving a majority in the electoral college, the House election is completely constitutional, however, with Nixon receiving a majority in the popular vote, and falling just short of an electoral college majority, would this not enrage the public for the House to elect Kennedy?