Brooke in 1968: A Brighter America
Ed Brooke was sweating and it wasn't the Miami heat. He was on the verge of becoming the Republican nominee for President, well with a bit of luck anyway. He worked the numbers in his head. As things stood he had 550 delegates while Nixon had 600ish. He wondered what Nixon was doing now and what deals he was doing with the others. Reagan had the 3rd most delegates with 400, Old Ronnie didn't like him but he knew that Ed could give him the best deal, it had cost him nearly all his political captial but for now he had his endorsement and most likely VP Reagen. Then Romney on 250 and Rockefeller just short of that. He didn't know where they would go, Rockefeller was not best pleased when Ed beat him in New York by less than a pojnt ,that had been a good day. Romney was better shoot, he seemed to like me and well more ideological close to me than Dick. Then the odds and shods,Case had given him his 50 during the campaign I'm sure he'd want something in return but that will have to wait. The vote began, nothing notable yet, seems to be all going to Rockefeller and Romney. Rockefeller delegates are going to Romney- that means he has more than me. He's going to crown Nixon, its over. It's fine , the Reagan delegates go to Brooke. Now its down to Romney, me or Nixon, Ed Brooke or Richard Nixon. Romneys Delegates go to Ed. Its over. Brooke's won. Now will he face Kennedy or McCarthy?
Edward Brooke/ Ronald Reagan: 50.1% 473 EVs Eugene McCarthy/Richard J. Hughes: 35.8% 20EVs George Wallace/Ezra Taft Benson: 14.2% 45EVs