Why did the republicans lose seats in the 1972 senate elections?

[Incipimus iterum]

?

[136or142]

I'd guess it's because 1966 was a wave Republican year, so 1972 was something of a reversal of that even though Nixon was personally reelected in a landslide.

[Amenhotep Bakari-Sellers]

The Backlash to Nixon escalation of Vietnam

[Brittain33]

I don't know anything about this election, but looking at the Wikipedia article there were a lot of seats switching parties on both sides and it's just the net amount that had Dems pick up 2. Colorado and Delaware were both very narrow victories for the Dems who unseated Republicans, and no Republican takeovers were that close, so it could have easily been a 0 seat gain overall.

[Ye We Can]

Nixon was in it for himself that election so Nixon's relative popularity didn't translate downballot

[Mr.Phips]

The Backlash to Nixon escalation of Vietnam

Then wouldn’t have Nixon lost?

[brucejoel99]

I'd guess it's because 1966 was a wave Republican year, so 1972 was something of a reversal of that even though Nixon was personally reelected in a landslide.

I'd suspect this, as well, like how 2008 was such a good Democratic year w/ regards to the Senate that 2014 was always gonna be somewhat of a reversal of that, even if it had somehow managed to be a neutral (or even a narrowly Democratic) year.

[Mr. Smith]

Because Nixon largely just tried to get himself re-elected at the expense of everything else...everything...else.

Only Hillary's 2016 strategy comes even close to being so neglectful.

[Mike Thick]

The topline Presidential results were a repudiation of McGovern, not an endorsement of Nixon

[Del Tachi]

Because Nixon largely just tried to get himself re-elected at the expense of everything else...everything...else.

Only Hillary's 2016 strategy comes even close to being so neglectful.

Nixon notably refused to campaign for a lot of Southern Republicans in 1972.  It was probably a better strategy for him overall though, as incumbent Southern Democrats weren't going to lose and Nixon had relied on their votes previously.

[lfromnj]

Because Nixon largely just tried to get himself re-elected at the expense of everything else...everything...else.

Only Hillary's 2016 strategy comes even close to being so neglectful.

Nixon notably refused to campaign for a lot of Southern Republicans in 1972.  It was probably a better strategy for him overall though, as incumbent Southern Democrats weren't going to lose and Nixon had relied on their votes previously.

I remember he did campaign against LLoyd Bensten but I think that was a promise to HW against super liberal ralph yarborough who honestly was a political miracle.