Poll: Robert Kennedy

[Lincoln Republican]

If he had not been assassinated, would Robert Kennedy have gone on to win the 1968 Democratic Presidential nomination and the election?

Please vote and discuss.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

He wouldn't have won the nomination.

[Lincoln Republican]

Had Robert Kennedy won the nomination, I believe he would have gone on to win the election.

My own view is that Robert Kennedy was the only Democrat in 1968 who could have defeated Richard Nixon.

Robert Kennedy had a famous name and at least the aura of charisma.

As well, it had only been five years since the tragic and violent death of his brother John F Kennedy, and he had widespread support and sympathy throughout the country because of that.

[junior chįmp]

I doubt it

[junior chįmp]

He wouldn't have won the nomination.

Why?

Based.off of what I've read from the history books...LBJ just wouldn't of allowed the Democratic Party to nominate him

[Lincoln Republican]

He wouldn't have won the nomination.

Can you elaborate?

[TDAS04]

I doubt he would have won the general election.  Humphrey carried Texas, I don't think RFK would have. 

[ScottieF]

He loses the nomination, but runs again in 1976 and unseats Ford in an Obama '08-style victory. Against Reagan in 1980, I'm unsure if he meets the same fate as Carter or if the election is basically 2012 with different candidates.

If he somehow wins the nomination in 1968, he beats Nixon.

[President Johnson]

Would have lost the nomination under the rules in place in 1968. With a 50 state primary, he would have won the nomination and likely the presidency. Had he lived, I see him forgoing the 1972 election since Nixon was a strong incumbent, and then win easily in 1976.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

Would have lost the nomination under the rules in place in 1968. With a 50 state primary, he would have won the nomination and likely the presidency. Had he lived, I see him forgoing the 1972 election since Nixon was a strong incumbent, and then win easily in 1976.

His seat would have been up in 1976. That's why his brother ran in 1980 and not 1976.

[President Johnson]

Would have lost the nomination under the rules in place in 1968. With a 50 state primary, he would have won the nomination and likely the presidency. Had he lived, I see him forgoing the 1972 election since Nixon was a strong incumbent, and then win easily in 1976.

His seat would have been up in 1976. That's why his brother ran in 1980 and not 1976.

If he had a decent shot at winning, he could have stepped down from the senate instead of running for a third term. Ted Kennedy was in a much weaker position than Bobby would have been.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

He wouldn't have won the nomination.

Can you elaborate?

Back in 1968 primaries played only a secondary role in nominating a presidential candidate. LBJ and his allies within the Democratic machine had enough power to block his candidacy. And even as far as the existing primaries were concerned, Kennedy split (to an uneven degree, but still) anti-LBJ votes with McCarthy, and I can see many of them going with something like "McCarthy or bust".