The Scramble for the Crown, 1968

[Lincoln Republican]

The Democrats, Prelude   

The 1964 Presidential election had produced one of the most lopsided victories in history, with Democrats Lyndon Johnson and Hubert Humphrey defeating Republicans Barry Goldwater and William Miller by an electoral vote count of 486 to 52.

President Johnson's first full term began on a high note, with the President's Great Society program moving rapidly through Congress, entailing aid to education, attack on disease, medicare, urban renewal, beautification, conservation, development of depressed regions, a wide-scale fight against poverty, control and prevention of crime, removal of obstacles to the right to vote, and the 1965 medicare amendment to the Social Security Act.  Great strides were made in space exploration during his administration.

However, two overriding crises had been gaining momentum since 1965, and were casting a black cloud over the Johnson administration, unrest and rioting in black ghettos, and the Vietnam War.  Rioting in the black ghettos escalated, as did the war in Vietnam.

The deteriorating situation in Vietnam, which increasingly appeared to Americans as being unwinnable, led President Johnson, on March 31, 1968, to announce to a surprised nation, "I shall not seek, and I will not accept, the nomination of my party for another term as your President."

It would be up to his successor to find a solution to the Vietnam quandry, and to bring an end to the racial tensions and riots in American cities.

With the withdrawal of the incumbent President from the nomination, the race for the Democratic prize was now to become an all out war amongst would be successors to the oval office.

Senator Eugene McCarthy of Minnesota had already stepped forward to challenge the President for the nomination, even before the President's withdrawal from the race.  The other prominent Democrats who had announced they would contest the nomination are Vice President Hubert Humphrey, also of Minnesota, and Senator Robert Kennedy of New York.

Two surprise entries into the Democrtic race, and seen as dark horse candidates, both from the south, were Georgia Senator Herman Talmadge, first elected to the U.S. Senate in 1956, and long serving Arkansas Representative Wilbur Mills, first elected to the House in 1938.

Two entries from the Governor's mansions announced their intentions, Illinois Governor Otto Kerner, Governor since 1961, and the youthful Governor of Vermont, Philip Hoff, Governor since 1963. 

Next, The Republicans, Prelude
   

[Yates]

Well done.

[Lincoln Republican]

The Republicans, Prelude

A Republican President last occupied the oval office in 1961, when Dwight Eisenhower left office after two terms.

With the hundreds of riots that had taken place across the country, with army troops called out in Detroit and Washington DC, and in particular, with the ever deteriorating situation in Vietnam, which had become a quagmire for the U.S. military, the Republicans sensed they had an excellent shot at taking back the White House.

The Republicans knew as well, however, that they had a tremendous building job to do to recover from their devastating 1964 defeat.  The 1964 defeat had seen the Republicans get swept away in their traditional strongholds, upper New England, the industrial midwest, the plains states, and even the Rocky Mountain states.  The nominee, Barry Goldwater, had fared poorly in the cities, he had polled very poorly amongst ethnic minorities, he had lost by wide margins the farm vote, seniors, the youth vote.

In the House of Representatives, the Republicans faced the largest Democratic majority since 1936.  In the Senate, they faced a Democratic majority of two to one, and the Republicans occupied only seventeen of the fifty state governorships.

After the 1964 elections, the Republican Party was in survival mode.

1965 saw the first signs of a Republican resurgence, with the election of Congressman John Lindsay as Mayor of New York City, the first Republican elected to this office in the 20th century.  The 1966 off year elections saw the Republicans pick up 47 House seats and three Senate seats, Chuck Percy in Illinois, Mark Hatfield in Oregon, and Howard Baker in Tennessee.  1966 also witnessed Republicans improving their numbers in state Governorships, notably the election of Ronald Reagan as Governor California.

The improving Republican electoral numbers, and the turmoil overtaking the Democratic administrtion, made the 1968 Republican Presidential nomination a highly sought after prize.

Big name Republicans coming forward are former Vice President Richard Nixon, New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller, and Michigan Governor Geroge Romney.

California Governor Ronald Reagan was testing the waters, however, having just been elected as Governor in 1966, was considered a long shot at this point in time.

Dark horse candidates to emerge were two New England Governors, John Volpe of Massachusetts, Governor 1961-1963 and again since 1965, John Chafee of Rhode Island, Governor since 1963, one midwestern Governor, James Rhodes of Ohio, Governor since 1963, and one southern Senator, Strom Thurmond of South Carolina, Senator since 1954. 

As expected, perennial candidate Harold Stassen, Governor of Minnesota 1939-1943, threw his hat, again, into the Presidential ring.  Interestingly enough, Stassen made a very strong bid for the Republican nomination in 1948, winning a series of upset victories in early primaries, with polls showing that he would beat President Harry Truman if nominated.  He of course lost the nomination to Thomas Dewey.

Next, The Republican Choice, Showdown In Miami      

[Lincoln Republican]

The Republican Choice, Showdown in Miami

The Republican National Convention is held in Miami Beach, Florida, August 5-8, 1968.

The Republican primaries had been a wrenching experience for the party, bitter, acrimonious, with accusations and assertions about candidates flying freely.  No clear leader had emerged from the primary process.  All serious or semi-serious candidates won primaries.  The nomination would have to be decided at the convention.

Governor Nelson Rockefeller of New York made the decision not to enter the Presidential sweepstakes again, and contested no primaries.  It was, after all, the all out primray battle between Nelson Rockefeller and Barry Goldwater in 1964 that tore the Republican Party apart that year.  There was lingering resentment in the party over that, and Rockefeller believed he could not win the nomination in 1968.

Rockefeller and most other Republican Governors threw their support behind Michigan Governor George Romney, who had been Governor since 1963.  Romney, Governor of a large, industrial state, a proven executive in business and in government, a proven vote getter, even amongst blacks and minorities.  Romney, a man who looked and sounded like a President.  To gain first hand knowledge of the Vietnam situation, Romney had gone to Vietnam earlier in 1968.  He came back to America, telling the nation "Our fighting forces deserve our support.  As President, I will work quickly to resolve the Vietnam conflict, and bring our troops home."  Romney is one of the two favorites to win the nomination.

The other favorite to win the nomination is former Vice President Richard Nixon, a man whose foreign policy credentials are highly rated.  Nixon comes to the convention with a wealth of legislative and administrative experience behind him, holding office from 1948 to 1961, as Congressman, Senator, Vice President, although he has been out of public office since 1961.  Amongst many in the party, Nixon is still thought of as "Tricky Dick."

Nixon and Romney are the front runners, although, both are still far short of a first ballot victory.

At the convention, there is an "Anybody But Nixon" movement that is gaining momentum amongst non-Nixon delegates.  The word at the convention is that the party does not need a "two time loser" as the nominee.  Anti-Nixon convention delegates are optimistic they can defeat Nixon on the second or third ballot.  They believe Romney is the logical choice to defeat Nixon.

First Ballot
Nixon           406
Romney       374
Chafee        241
Reagan       176
Thurmond     87
Rhodes         32
Volpe            14
Stassen          3
Total          1333

Supporters of both Nixon and Romney are surprised their candidates did not do better.  Chafee did surprisingly, and unexpectedly well.

The concensus among the Stop-Nixon camps is to hold tight until after the second ballot, to see where the momentum is going.  It is clear no one candidate will win on the second ballot.

Second Ballot
Nixon           397
Romney       369
Chafee        356
Reagan       127
Thurmond     68
Rhodes         12
Volpe              4
Total         1333

Nixon and Romney, for some reason, had stalled.  Even more surprisingly, Chafee had gained the momentum.  The third ballot would be crucial.

Third Ballot
Nixon          412
Chafee        390
Romney       364
Reagan        116
Thurmond      47
Rhodes            4
Total          1333

Nixon was gaining little if any traction.  Romney was falling slightly.  The astounding result was the strong, steady, showing of John Chafee, Governor of Rhode Island.  A crucial decision was made by the Romney campaign.  Romney would withdraw, and support the moderate Governor of Rhode Island.  Governor John Volpe of Massachusetts and Governor James Rhodes of Ohio followed suit and threw their support behind Chafee.

A disappointed Governor Reagan withdrew from the balloting, and did not make any endorsement "for the sake of unity."  Senator Thurmond withdrew and endorsed Nixon, although Thurmond's support had been steadily declining, and was never strong to begin with.

Fourth Ballot
Chafee         697
Nixon            636
Total            1333

Governor John Chafee of the tiny state of Rhode Island had pulled off perhaps the biggest political upset since Harry Truman winning the 1948
Presidential election.

Governor Chafee had done surprisingly well in the primaries.  He had been careful to steer a moderate course, maintaining his socially moderate views, but at the same time pledging to be strong on the law and order issue, and as well pledging to come to a quick and reasonable ending to America's involvement in Vietnam, and to bring the troops home "at the earliest opportunity."  Chafee had as well pledged to be fiscally responsible.  During the primary campaign, Chafee had been very careful to treat the other candidates with respect, so as not to offend their supporters.  It had paid off at the convention, as the solid, capable Governor of Rhode Island became the compromise candidate.

This convention was in for one more big surprise. 

In making the announcement of his pick for Vice President, Chafee told the convention, and the nation, "It will be my intention, as President, to unite this country.  The strife, the civil unrest, the conflict over Vietnam, at home and abroad, the partisan bickering, have gone on for far too long.  It is my intention to begin healing this nation, and to begin uniting this nation, and I am going to begin this process by reaching out across party lines.  I am proud to present to you the name of Senator Wayne Morse of Oregon, as my pick for Vice President.  I have had a long conversation with Senator Morse, and he believes as I do, that the number one priority of the new President must be to bring this nation together, and we are going to
begin by bringing to the voters a national Republican ticket that has experience with both of our great national parties.  Senator Morse has served this nation well both as a Republican and as a Democrat.  And now, once again, by joining the Republican ticket, Senator Morse continues this record of service.  Senator Morse brings with him impeccable credentials and abilities to serve as Vice President."

Senator Morse had been a Republican Senator 1945-1952, became an Independent 1952-1955, and became a Democrat in 1955.  He now becomes a Republican once again.

After much debate, Senator Morse is approved as the Vice Presidential nominee by the convention by a wide margin.

Senator Morse tells the convention and the nation, "I have always acted on principle.  I am proud to have the opportunity to campaign alongside Governor Chafee, in working to unite this nation.  I know both of America's great parties from the inside, and I have a great deal of respect for both of our great natioinal parties.  Thank you for welcoming me back to my first political home."

The Republican ticket was ready to begin the election campaign, not the ticket that likely anyone expected, but a ticket ready to bring a message of unity to the voters.

Next, The Democratic Choice, Street Fight In Chicago

[WalterMitty]

were the conservative delagates at the gop convention upset at chafee for picking a liberal?  after all, chafee was no conservative either.  was there any talk of a third party challenge?

[Lincoln Republican]

Chafee certainly was no conservative, that's true, in fact, he was quite liberal.  Neither was Romney strictly conservative for that matter, although moreso than was Chafee.  Romney would have been much more palatable to the party rank and file than Chafee would have been, though.

There is more of this story to come, and of course, that issue is one of the obvious things that will have to be addressed.

One must keep in mind, however, that the Republican party has not always nominated conservatives, but moderates and even liberals, liberal Tom Dewey 1944, 1948, moderatres Dwight Eisenhower 1952, 1956, Gerald Ford 1976, George HW Bush 1988.       

[Lincoln Republican]

The Democratic Choice, Street Fight In Chicago

The Democratic National Convention is held in Chicago, Illinois August 26-29, 1968.

As in the Republican race, the Democratic primaries had shown no clear leader going into the convention.  Besides which, in 1968, in the Democratic Party, winning primaries did not necessarily win delegate votes at the national convention.  The delegate selection process was often quite separate from the popular vote, and usually controlled by the state party.

Even the so called dark horse candidates had some successes in the primaries.  So much so, that even the front runners were far short of a first ballot win.

Clearly, the two front runners going into the convention were Vice President Hubert Humphrey of Minnesota, the favorite of the party establishment, and anti-war candidate Senator Eugene McCarthy, also of Minnesota.  It was McCarthy's success early on that led to the withdrawal from the race of President Johnson.

The other front runner for the nomination, Senator Robert Kennedy of New York, had, tragically, been assassinated on June 4, after winning the California primary.   

Vice President Humphrey, although the party favorite, and well liked by the party members in general, was viewed by many in the party as being too closely linked to the now unpopular President Johnson. 

Senator McCarthy, although the favorite of the anti-war wing of the party, was viewed by many in the party as a spoiler, and too far out in left field.

Convention delegates were not a happy lot.  Rioting outside the convention arena had reached a fever pitch.  The rioters were fighting with Chicago police and with State troopers.

Party leaders were appealing for unity, but there was much acrimony amongst convention delegates.

This is the mood inside the convention arena as balloting got under way.

First Ballot
Humphrey           705
McCarthy             695
Mills                     687
Talmadge             385
Kerner                    84
Hoff                        66
Total                   2622

These results were shocking. 

Pandemonium broke amongst the Mills campaign.  The Humphrey and McCarthy supporters looked on in disbelief.

Clearly, the Humphrey and McCarthy campaigns had made some disasterous miscalculations.

It became clear that Congressman Wilbur Mills came to the convention with a solid show of support from delegates from across the country, who liked his years of devoted service, and his experience.  Talmadge came with a solid base of support from the south.  Kerner and Hoff showed only regional support.

Mills was contacted in short order by both Humphrey and McCarthy, seeking his support on the second ballot.  Mills politely told both of them "I wish to see how the second ballot goes before making any decisions."

Hoff and Kerner were dropped from the balloting.         

Second Ballot
Mills                     1008                     
Humphrey             753
McCarthy               748
Talmadge              113
Total                    2622

If the first ballot was shocking , the second ballot sent the convention into a state of total disbelief.  The Talmadge vote had almost collapsed, swinging to fellow southerner Mills.  Congressman Wilbur Mills of Arkansas had become, in the space of a few hours, the most important Democrat in the nation.  The joy and enthusiasm in the Mills campaign had become uncontrollable.

Both the Humphrey and McCarthy campaigns were in a quandry.  What do they do?  They can't very well make a deal with the now front runner to get his support.

Third Ballot
Mills                 1121
McCarthy           752   
Humphrey          749
Total                2622

Hubert Humphrey's life long ambition of running for and becoming President of the United States had been dashed with the heart wrenching closeness of the third ballot.  He would be dropped from the balloting for the fourth ballot. 

Mills immediately picks up the phone and talks with his old friend, the Vice President.  "Hubert, I know how difficult this must be for you.  You have been one of the greatest public servants this nation has ever had.  I want you to know, that if I am successful in becoming President, I would be honored to have you work in my administration, in any capacity."  "Thank you, Wilbur," replies Humphrey, finding it difficult to control his emotions.

McCarthy as well phones Humphrey, and offers his kindest thoughts.

The McCarthy campaign knows, however, that this is the end of the road for the McCarthy campaign for President.  The supporters of the establishment candidate, Humphrey, will not be voting for McCarthy in any great numbers.  That much is clear.

Fourth Ballot
Mills                 1579
McCarthy         1043
Total                2622

The Mills supporters cannot believe this convention themselves.  Wilbur Mills himself is having a hard time believing it. 

The Democratic nominee for the Presidency of the United States addresses the convention and the nation.  "My fellow Americans, thank you for this honor.  I accept this nomination.  I have spent most of my life in service to the people of this great nation, and, with your help, and the help of Americans across this great land, if so honored, I shall continue to serve  you the people."

Mills nominates environmentally minded Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin for Vice President, Governor 1959-1963, and Senator since 1963.  Nelson wins unanimous approval from the convention.

This unexpected Democratic ticket is ready to hit the campaign trail.

Next

Rebellion On The Right And The Peace Movement Prepares For Battle                  

[Lincoln Republican]

Rebellion On The Right

American conservatives were not pleased, not pleased at all, with either of the major party tickets.

Republican conservatives would have been satisfied with George Romney   
as the nominee, not their ideal choice, but perfectly acceptable.  But John Chafee, in their eyes, was an out and out liberal in most respects.  Republican conservatives were not in the least pleased either with Chafee's pick for Vice President, Wayne Morse, another liberal. 

Amongst Democrats, some in the more conservative elements of the party did like, by in large, Wilbur Mills's fiscal conservativism, but did not like the fact he supported many liberal programs.  Besides that, although a powerful Congressman, Chairman of the House Ways And Means Committee, they saw Mills as a rather weak Presidential contender. 

Leading conservatives from all across America, from both the Republican side and the Democratic side, convened on September 3,  the day after Labor Day, in St. Louis, to discuss the situation and to determine their options.

It was decided that they would run a conservative ticket in the Presidential election, and that they would run under the banner of the "American Party."

On September 4, the American Party asked the newly elected conservative Republican Governor of California, Ronald Reagan, to accept the Presidential nomination.  Although only elected as Governor in 1966, Reagan was already widely known across America as a leading conservative figure, conservative, but completely racially tolerant.
 
Reagan was charismatic, and one of the best and most effective speakers and one of the most telegenic personalities in America.  Reagan accepted the nomination, and pledged to "campaign across the country, bringing American values to the forefront of the election."

The party consulted with Reagan on his choice for a running mate, and on September 5, he personally asked the conservative Democratic Governor of Texas, John Connally, to be his Vice Presidential running mate.  Connally accepted the invitation, and joined the ticket.  Said Connally, "Governor Reagan and I will offer Americans a REAL choice in this election."  Connally had been Secretary of the Navy in 1961, and had been Governor of Texas since 1963.

Governor Reagan announced his Vice Presidential pick at a huge outdoor rally in Austin on September 6.

The battle for the 1968 Presidency was about to be engaged by two politically savvy and charismatic conservatives, from two of the biggest states in the nation, both geographically and electorally.

[Lincoln Republican]

The Peace Movement Prepares For Battle

If American conservatives were not pleased with the tickets of either of the two mainline parties in 1968, then the peace movement was absolutely appalled by the choices from these two parties.

Leaders of the peace movement convened a meeting in San Francisco, their spiritual home, on September 1, to discuss the situation.  They were determined that in order to get their message of peace out to the nation during the campaign, that they would run a presidential ticket.

On September 2, they approached Senator Eugene McCarthy, the most visible anti war political leader in the country, to be the presidential candidate of this movement.  McCarthy politely turned down the offer, telling them that the best way to achieve peace was through the existing party system.  This was not what those in the peace movement wanted to hear.

On September 3, the leaders of the peace movement approached another well known anti war Senator, liberal Democrat George McGovern of South Dakota, to become their presidential nominee.  McGovern told them essentially the same thing that McCarthy did.  Besides, McGovern was campaigning in 1968 for reelection to the U.S. Senate.  As well, should the Democrats lose the presidency in 1968, McGovern planned to seek the Democratic presidential nomination in 1972, and he did not want to campaign against the Democratic ticket in 1968, which would only harm his own presidential bid four years from now.

On September 4, the leaders of the peace movement believed they had found the ideal candidate to lead the messge for peace in the election.  They met with Arthur Goldberg, age 60, of New York, and asked him to be the nominee.

Arthur Goldberg had impressive credentials.  He was a labor lawyer, and he was Secretary of Labor in the John F Kennedy cabinet in 1961-1962.  He was nominated by President Kennedy in 1962 for the U.S. Supreme Court, and served as an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court from 1962-1965.

In 1965, President Johnson persuaded Goldberg, after much prodding, to leave his position on the Supreme Court to become the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.  Johnson was hopeful that Goldberg could use his considerable abilities in negotiating a settlement to the increasingly escalating conflict in Vietnam.  As U.N. Ambassador, Goldberg clashed with Johnson over the course of the Vietnam War.  Goldberg, frustrated over  Johnson's handling of the war in Vietnam, resigned the U.N. ambassadorship in April of 1968.

Goldberg agreed to become the Presidential nominee, and to lead the campaign "for the cause of peace, and to bring our troops home as quickly as possible."  At the same time, Goldberg disavowed any association with the more radical and militant elements of the peace movement.

On September 5, Goldberg talked with the young, dynamic, rising, black civil rights leader, Andrew Young, age 36, of Georgia, about becoming the Vice Presidential nominee on this ticket.  Young accepted, and he would campaign across the country "for peace and equality."

Andrew Young brought impressive credentials to the ticket as well, even at  age 36.  He was a pastor in an Alabama church.  He encouraged non-violent resistance as a tactic for social change.  He encouraged African Americans to register to vote in Alabama, sometimes facing death threats while doing so.  He became a friend and ally of Martin Luther King, Jr. at this time.  He worked with the National Council of Churches in New york City for a time.  As the civil rights movement heated up, he went back to the south, where he could be of better service to this cause.  In 1964, he was named executive director of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.  Young became one of Dr. King's principal lieutenants, and was with King in Memphis when King was shot in April, 1968.  As well, Young helped draft the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rignts Act of 1965.

Goldberg and Young run under the banner "Americans For Peace And Equality."

The growing peace movement in the country now had a ticket whom they could whole heartedly support.

                 

[Lincoln Republican]

Recap, The Tickets

Republican Party

President
Governor John Chafee of Rhode Island, age 46
Governor since 1963

Vice President
Senator Wayne Morse of Oregon, age 68
Republican Senator 1945-1952
Independent Senator 1952-1955
Democratic Senator 1955-1968
Rejoined the Republican Party upon accepting the Vice Presidential nomination in 1968

Democratic Party

President
Congressman Wilbur Mills of Arkansas, age 59
House of Representatives since 1939
Chairman of House Ways and Means Committee since 1957

Vice President
Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin, age 52
Governor 1959-1963
Senator since 1963

American Party

President
Governor Ronald Reagan of California, age 57
Governor since 1967

Vice President
Governor John Connally of Texas, age 51
Secretary of the Navy 1961
Governor since 1963

Americans For Peace And Equality

President
Arthur Goldberg of New York, age 60
Secretary of Labor 1961-1962
Associate Justice of U.S. Supreme Court 1962-1965
Ambassador to United Nations 1965-1968

Vice President
Andrew Young of Georgia, age 36
Civil Rights Activist 
Executive Director Southern Christian Ledership Conference since 1964

[George W. Hobbes]

Reagan and Connolly, awesome ticket.

[Lincoln Republican]

The Campaign, A Synopsis

The Presidential campaign of 1968 was a truly wrenching experience for the nation.  It was an emotional, sometimes bitter contest.

Against the backdrop of rioting at home and war abroad, Americans were seeking a leader who could bring peace to the streets, and who could settle the raging conflict in Southeast Asia.

All parties and candidates talked about a strong "law and order" policy, but Reagan's statements on this issue seemed to ring most true.

All parties promised to resolve the issue of American involvement in Vietnam.  Goldberg's stand was clear, get out as soon as possible, but most doubted his plan was workable. 

Mills was hampered throughout the campaign because of his close ties to the current administration.  He tried to distance himself from Johnson, but that proved to be difficult, as he had been working with Johnson for decades.  Most had thought that Humphrey would be the candidate unable to shake his close ties to Johnson, but Mills ended up having the same problem, although, to a lesser extent than likely Humphrey would have had.

The Democrats were doing well on environmental issues, especially with the expertise in this field by Nelson.

Chafee was seen as likeable, but at only 46, lacking in foreign policy experience, many saw him as too young and too inexperienced.

All parties pledged to be fiscally responsible, in particular the American Party.  Mills, though, had a proven track record in Congress of fiscal conservatism and responsibility.  Chafee and Goldberg were not viewed as voters by in large as especially being fiscally conservtive.  Some segments of the population, though, liked this aspect.

Two Presidential debates were held.  All candidates fared reasonably well, but, as expected, Reagan excelled, and was certainly the most effective speaker of all four candidates.

One Vice Presidential debate was held, again, all four candidates fared well, but it was Morse, an electrifying speaker, who made the most impact.

Pre election polls showed a tight three way race between the Republicans, Democrats, and the American Party.  The American Party was clearly making the most serious challenge to the two established parties in the entire history of presidential elections.  The Americans for Peace and Equality movement were doing very well amongst their core constituency, but were trailing by a fair margin behind the other three parties.  They did appear, however, to be making headway amongst black voters.

Next, Election Night

   

[Lincoln Republican]

To anyone who may be reading and following this story, thank you very much.

Before I post the "official" election results, I would like to ask anyone interested to please post your own results, including map if possible, for this 1968 election.

I think that would make things very interesting to have some different views as to how this election turns out.

Thank you.   

[Bacon King]

I'm terrible with older maps, but I might give it a try sometime tommorow.

[Flying Dog]

Democratic-38%
Republican-33%
American-13%
Americans for Peace and Equality-11%

I think that 3rd parties most always underpreform in elections. Im not even going to try a map.

[Lincoln Republican]

The "Official" Results Election 1968

The Presidential election of 1968 was like no other in United States history.

Surprisingly, neither the Democrats nor the Republicans nominated candidates that could be considered to be their strongest contenders.

Conversely, the third party in the election, the American Party, had nominated a ticket that the public saw as a genuine contender for power, and as a credible alternative.

By the Republicans nomination of Chafee and Morse, two liberls, this left a tremendous constituency of conservative to moderate voters who could be appealed to by a more conservative ticket.  Enter the American Party and Reagan and Connally, who campaigned effectively to win this constituency, and as well to win over moderates not pleased with either of the two mainstreamm party tickets.  Reagan and Connally scored extremely well on the law and order issue, and on the issue of fiscal responsibility.  As well, they scored well amongst working class, socially conservative Democrats, not happy with their choice of Chafee or Mills.

On the Democratic side, the ticket of Mills and Nelson was hurt to a significant degree by the entry into the campaign of the Americans For Peace And Equality movement led by Goldberg and Young, two candidates taken seriously by voters.  Goldberg hammered Mills on the fact that in 1954, following the case of "Brown v. Board of Education," Mills signed "The Southern Manifesto," condemning the U.S. Supreme Court decision to desegregate the nation's public schools.

Not only did Goldberg and Young succeed in winning significant numbers of votes from those sympathetic to the peace movement, they were also successful in winning a sizeable share of votes from liberals and blacks, two constituencies crucial to the Democrats.

All candidates, of course, promised to end U.S. involvement in Vietnam as quickly as possible, and to bring the troops home at the earliest opportunity.

With the Chafee candidacy, the Republicans were shut out of the south.  The Democrats failed in the south as well, with the exception of Mills's home state of Arkansas and Democratically dependable West Virginia. 

With a near solid base in the south, conservative Indiana, Reagan's state of birth Illinois, which went for Reagan as a result of the fact Goldberg attracted a good share of liberal and black votes away from the Democrats, and with a sweep of the mainly conservative plains, mountain, southwest states, Alaska, and the big elecotral prize of Reagan's home state of California, Reagan and Connally were able to forge a narrow victory in the electoral college.

The Democrats were confined to solid Democratic states in the northeast, plus the dependable Democratic states of Maryland and West Virginia, the upper midwest, Washington, Hawaii, Mills's home state of Arkansas, and, of course, winning DC. 

The Republicans scored only in New England, Chafee's home base, plus New Jersey and Delaware, a narrow win in Ohio, a small part of the midwest, and Morse's home state of Oregon. 

Although they failed to win any electoral votes, the Americans For Peace And Equality movement made a decent showing in the popular vote, almost entirely at the expense of the Democrats.

The United States had elected it's first third party President in history.

Reagan/Connally            274 EV  33%
Mills/Nelson                    168 EV  29% 
Chafee/Morse                   96 EV  26%
Goldberg/Young                  0 EV  12%       

[George W. Hobbes]

Interesting and awesome.

[Lincoln Republican]

Thank you.

[WalterMitty]

nice story, winfield.

here is my take:



chafee/morse: 286 EVs
reagan/connally: 161 EVs
mills/nelson: 91 EVs

reagan returns to the gop camp and mounts a successful primary challenge to chafee in 1972.

mills returns to the house in 1970.  however, he cant adjust to life as a member without the power he once had.  his alcoholism spirals out of control and he is out of the house in 1976.

[Lincoln Republican]

Thanks Walter.

A very intresting take on this unusual race.