1972, George McGovern, and the New Left Victory of 1976

Straha

Banned
There used to be something of a myth concerning Al Smith in 1928. That despite his defeat he was able to be the forerunner of a new Democratic Party. One that depended more on Northern voters who were ethnic minorities or union members or both. I have read some evidence that disagrees with that but that isn't the point. There is also the opinion out there that Goldwater in 1964 was able to build a foundation for future grassroots organizations on the right that would end up giving birth to Reagan. But what about McGovern?
McGovern's 1972 election has been compared to the 1964 Goldwater campaign by many, mostly unfavorably. The McGovern campaign seemed to
have created no foundation for future organizations; Carter in 1976 and Clinton in 1992/1996 do not appear to have based any major parts of their campaign on McGovern. If anything only Mondale really seems to have taken advice from McGovern, and look where that got him.
But what if McGovern was something of a Goldwater for the Democrats. It is interesting to note that McGovern did improve over Hubert Humphrey in some areas. McGovern did slightly better among nonwhite voters, winning 87% of their vote. McGovern did 13% points
better among working women than working men, the largest gender gap yet,
although he still lost them. Many college communities that were once
Republican went to him, and the category of professionals gave McGovern
42% of their vote compared to only 36% to Humphrey. Overall McGovern
didn't do too well, but it is interesting to note these trends.
Suppose that this trend were to continue in 1976 with someone from the 'New Left' instead of Carter. Carter does appear to have done fairly well in professionals. Running against pro-choice and pro-equal rights Gerald Ford it seems that there was not an observable gender gap. Let us suppose that Nixon selects someone more socially conservative for his Vice-President, someone anti-choice and anti-equal rights. If the same happens as OTL they run in 1976. Let us also remove Carter and instead have the most plausible candidate that most resembles McGovern but at the same time would still be a strong candidate. Can our Democrat be elected and any thoughts for how their defeat (which I feel is plausible) in 1980 will impact things? An earlier rise of a DLC like organization and perhaps a Democratic victory in 1988?
 
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