Another 1972 Election

[Lincoln Republican]

In 1972, highly respected Senator Henry Jackson of Washington defeats Senator George McGovern of South Dakota to win the Democratic Presidential nomination.  Jackson brings impessive foreign policy credentials to the campaign.

Jackson picks former North Carolina Governor, 1961-1965, Terry Sanford, who has been President of Duke University since 1969, for Vice President.  Sanford is noted for his progressive leadership in the fields of civil rights and education, and brings an impressive academic background to the campaign. 

Both Jackson and Sanford are respected for the dedication and integrity they have demonstrated throughout their public careers.

Republican
President Richard Nixon (NY)/Vice President Spiro Agnew (MD)

Democrat
Senator Henry Jackson (WA)/Former Governor Terry Sanford (NC)

How much better does Jackson fare than did McGovern against Nixon?

Discuss please with maps.

[Dr. Cynic]

Well, my program is old, so I can't copy a map, but I will give the numbers....

I'm running through the handy-dandy simulator, and here's what I get:

The popular vote was insanely close, but Jackson ran away with it in the college:

JACKSON/SANFORD - 409

NIXON/AGNEW - 129

[True Democrat]

Nixon wins 368-170

Anderson costs Nixon California.

[Michael Z]

I don't think anyone could have beaten Nixon in '72. 

[adam]

I don't think anyone could have beaten Nixon in '72. 

[True Democrat]

I don't think anyone could have beaten Nixon in '72. 

There are but a few who could have made it competitive.  Jackson is one of them (though I think he still would have lost).  Wallace might take the South, but he would fail outside the the industrial North.  Ted Kennedy probably would have done fairly well if it hadn't been for Chappaquiddick.

[WalterMitty]

because im biased, i will not make a map for this scenario.

my son's middle name is 'sanford', named after the late, great terry sanford.

[Lincoln Republican]

Walter, congratulations on the birth of your son.

Sanford is a good pick for a name.

Ironically, in relation to this thread at least, Richard Nixon went to Duke University Law School, going there in 1934.  He received a full scholarship and excelled academically at this school.

Of course, Terry Sanford was President of Duke University 1969-1985, which was entirely during the Nixon administration.

It makes me wonder what references would have been made by Nixon and Sanford during the campaign if the 1972 election was in fact between Nixon/Agnew and Jackson/Sanford.

[NewFederalist]

Anderson costs Nixon California.

Not likely since Anderson ran EIGHT years later! Perhaps John Schmitz might have cost Nixon California.

[True Democrat]

Anderson costs Nixon California.

Not likely since Anderson ran EIGHT years later! Perhaps John Schmitz might have cost Nixon California.

That's what I meant.  I was thinking of the Anderson from 76.