Johnson/Humphrey vs. Eisenhower/ Scranton

[Reluctant Republican]

I don’t think this one has been done yet, but it requires a bit of a back story to make it plausible, and a suspension of disbelief is required..

Let’s say that Republicans, realizing that it might not be in their best interest to pass the 22nd amendment, block it from passing, and the Amendment dies in 1951 and is not brought up again. Ike serves two terms but decides to retire in 1960 as he did IRL, leading to Nixon being defeated by Kennedy.

Kennedy dies as in our history, and Johnson secures the Democratic nomination and picks Humphrey as his running mate. However, on the Republican side, moderate and liberal Republicans are worried that Barry Goldwater will get nominated and take their party far to the right, leading to a lopsided defeat. After figuring out that figures such as Rockefeller will not be able to defeat Goldwater, the party turns to Eisenhower and begs him to come back out into the political field. Eisenhower refuses at first, citing age as his main concern, but he too is worried about Goldwater, and after being convinced that he is the only one who can prevent the Arizona senator from being nominated, announces his run for President and secures the nomination, picking William Scranton of Pennsylvania as his running mate. Ike  calms the upset conservatives by promising them crucial cabinet posts if he is elected.

So, would Eisenhower have a shot at beating Johnson? It’s often said that no Republican could have won in 1964, but I believe that Eisenhower would have served as a reassuring figure to the nation and would have had the potential to make the election very close. On the other hand, his advanced age and his perceived ineffectual first presidency might have harmed him. But what are everyone else’s thoughts?