Nixion/Rockefeller 1960

[Kevin]

How would a Nixion Rockefeller ticket do aganst Kennady/Johnson in 1960?

[Lincoln Republican]

The presence of Nelson Rockefeller as the Vice Presidential candidate on the Republican ticket pulls in Rockefeller's home state of New York, of which he was Governor at the time, and very well liked in the state, and pulls in the neighboring state of New Jersey, where the Rockefeller name is well known.  In 1960, Nixon lost New Jersey by only 0.80%, and with Rockefeller on the ticket, this is enough to tip the state to Nixon.

Nixon wins the Presidency in 1960 instead of in 1968.

Nixon/Rockefeller            281
Kennedy/Johnson           237
Unpledged Electors          19

[Kevin]

Here is my prediction call it over rated if you wish but it could have happened.

 

[johnpressman]

While I do believe that Nixon/Rockefeller would have beaten Kennedy/Johnson in 1960, I do not believe that New York would have voted Republican.   While Rocky was well-liked in New York, he was only Governor for less than two years and was running for Vice President, not President.  His influence would not be strong enough to overcome the overly Democratic vote from New York City.

However, having a strong, charismatic running mate like Rocky instead of a weak, do-nothing like Lodge would have tipped the vote in close states like New Jersey, Michigan and Illinois, and possibly even Missouri and Texas.  I cannot see any states that voted for Nixon/Lodge that would have gone Democratic had the GOP nominated Rocky for VP.  Both Lodge and Rocky were wealthy heirs of famous families, from Northeastern states that would not have voted GOP.  Rocky's free spending liberal ways were not well known at that time.  He was a hard-liner as to the Cold War like Lodge and a MUCH, MUCH MUCH better campainger!