1972: Richard Nixon (R) vs. George McGovern (D) vs. George Wallace (AI)

[Robespierre's Jaw]

Note: In late 1971, George Wallace announces that instead of running for the Democratic Party nomination in 1972, he'll be running as a candidate under the American Independent banner. Both the Republican and Democratic Presidential races play out the same in RL.

How would the 1972 Presidential Election turn out if these were the tickets?

Republican

President Richard Nixon of California
Vice President Spiro Agnew of Maryland

Democratic

Senator George McGovern of South Dakota
Senator Abraham Ribicoff of Connecticut

American Independent

Governor George C. Wallace of Alabama
Former Governor Lester Maddox of Georgia

Discuss with maps. I'll post my idea later.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Nixon/Agnew: 58% PV, 442 EV
McGovern/Ribicoff: 30% PV, 27 EV
Wallace/Maddox: 12% PV, 69 EV

[Robespierre's Jaw]

Nixon/Agnew: 58% PV, 442 EV
McGovern/Ribicoff: 30% PV, 27 EV
Wallace/Maddox: 12% PV, 69 EV

Maybe I have become Pro-McGovern over the last two weeks but I disagree with the map you have posted Ben. In my personal opinion, Wallace would have cut into a fair majority of Nixon's support causing states like California or New York (these are only examples) to vote for McGovern.

Also in your Electoral Map, you state that Nixon would receive 3 percentage points less than in RL 1972 and McGovern would receive 7 percentage points less than in RL. May you explain your reasonings please.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Nixon/Agnew: 58% PV, 442 EV
McGovern/Ribicoff: 30% PV, 27 EV
Wallace/Maddox: 12% PV, 69 EV

Maybe I have become Pro-McGovern over the last two weeks but I disagree with the map you have posted Ben. In my personal opinion, Wallace would have cut into a fair majority of Nixon's support causing states like California or New York (these are only examples) to vote for McGovern.

Perhaps, but I don't see Wallace costing Nixon any states, besides Minnesota, which could still have gone for Nixon.

[Lief 🗽]

I think most of Wallace's support would from Nixon, since Nixon did so well in the Wallace states.