LBJ for the USA

[Хahar 🤔]

WARNING: This post may be interpreted as hackish. I know. You don't need to tell me.

Results of the 1970 elections (change is from 1968):

Senate:

Republican: 63 (+20)
Democratic: 35 (-22)
Conservative: 1 (+1)
Independent: 1 (+1)

The Republicans have a filibuster-proof majority and are one vote short of a veto-overriding one (though with Nixon as President, that doesn't matter).

House:

Republican: 249 (+57)
Democratic: 186 (-57)

NEXT...Trouble in the GOP

[Хahar 🤔]

Though the chief result of New Republicanism has been to lure Southerners into the Republican camp, there have also been many defections by moderates. Nixon seems to value the moderates in his party more than the conservatives, and takes generally centrist stands. This angers the conservatives in the party, but they stay put, for the time being.

Spiro Agnew, however, does not. In February 1971, the ex-governor of Maryland announces that he is leaving the Republican Party. His supporters quickly organize the Old Line Party, which affiliates with the NY Conservative Party. The name of the party comes from Maryland's state nickname, but Agnew says that it has a second meaning, that of sticking to "the old party line". The Old Line Party soon wins the special election to Maryland's 1st CD.

NEXT...Campaign trail '72

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Is an update coming soon?

[Хahar 🤔]

Yeah.

[Хahar 🤔]

In 1972, all the big-name liberals (Kennedy, McCarthy, McGovern) shy away from the nomination, knowing that knocking off Nixon is impossible. The thankless job thus falls to Ed Muskie, Senator from Maine. As his running mate, Muskie chooses Henry "Scoop" Jackson from Washington, making for a ticket that would have been strong four years before but is unlikely to have a chance in '72.

So, the stage looks set for a Nixon landslide in 1972.

NEXT...A new player

[Robespierre's Jaw]

I have a question about this timeline. Will President Nixon keep Vice President Agnew as his running mate in 1972? Looking forward to the next update.

[Хahar 🤔]

I have a question about this timeline. Will President Nixon keep Vice President Agnew as his running mate in 1972? Looking forward to the next update.

Well, in this timeline, George McGovern is in fact VP. Since Agnew has openly betrayed his party, he will not be renominated. You'll have to wait and see for the rest.

[Robespierre's Jaw]

BUMP

Xahar when't the next update going to come? I want to see how the 1972 Presidential Election turns out. I don't want to wait another week .

[Хahar 🤔]

In the middle of September, 1972, the American Independent Party convenes. As their first order of business, the delegates rename the party the Conservative Party. While this move is unexpected, it is nothing compared to the platform they adopt.

It openly disavows segregationism, instead adopting a moderate conservative platform. Walter Cronkite famously remarks that it would "make Bob Taft proud." However, the Conservative Party does not become a major player until it announces its candidates in the upcoming election.

Its Vice Presidential nominee is Senator John Tower from Texas. The Presidential nominee is Ronald Reagan, Governor of California.

Immediately, the Reagan/Tower ticket starts polling at 35%, clearly in second place.

NEXT...The 3-way race

[Хahar 🤔]

Note: I don't have enough time for a full post, so I'm just giving the election here.

Results:

Nixon/Rockefeller: 225
Reagan/Tower: 214
Muskie/Jackson: 99

NEXT...Analysis

[Kaine for Senate '18]

My prediction: Muskie/Jackson wins in the House

[Robespierre's Jaw]

Nixon/Rockefeller will get it in the House. From memory don't the Republicans have control of the House and Senate because many flocked to the party?

[Хahar 🤔]

From memory don't the Republicans have control of the House and Senate because many flocked to the party?

Yes. By the way, it is impossible for Jackson to win.

[Хahar 🤔]

Nixon, though bitter at losing his home state, is glad that Reagan did not eat into his base further than he did. Meanwhile, Reagan is ecstatic at the amount of support the Conservative party recieved. He plans to turn it into a national organization.

The real losers are the Democrats, who fared miserably despite a great ticket.

NEXT...We report, the House decides

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Any plans to bring this back?  It was good.

[Хahar 🤔]

Certainly, once summer starts in two weeks.