Nixon actually campaigned in Alaska, and won it by a tepid margin - something I don't think Prescott would do. Alaska was projected to be a Democratic state when admitted to the Union - given its dependence on federal spending.
In 1958, Alaska sent two Democratic Senators, a Democratic Representative to Congress, and elected a Democratic Governor.
Hawaii, however, initially voted for Nixon but was recalled for Kennedy after a "recount." Without Kennedy's star-power, I could picture Hawaiians to be skittish about voting for a Southern Democrat who I doubt could match Kennedy's style.
Weird. Just goes to show how stuff changes.
