You're so vain
As 1972 dragged around the corner, the election time had arrived once again in America. At first, it seemed that this election would be a much more straight up affair then it's predecessor. The 1968 election had been a historical occasion. With the tumultuous Republican stand-off between Nixon and Rockefeller, the death of Vice-president Humphrey, the birth of the American Independent Party and the ascension of Kennedy to front-runner and later president. It had in many ways shaken the United States in a way few, if any, other election had ever before. There was so many ideologies, beliefs and ideas for what america should become (and for that matter what America was in the first place), that the playing field became blurry.
Now, four years later, the image seemed much clearer.
President Robert F. Kennedy had announced his intentions of seeking re-election for a while now, and kept himself busy on the campaign trail. To many, he was not only the best option, but the only option. It was true that Kennedy had accomplished a great deal during his first term. Major legislation had passed, expanding social welfare, education, the space program among others. The president had successfully ended American military presence in Vietnam, fulfilling his biggest promise, in the meanwhile weakening the Warsaw Pact by negotiating Czechoslovakia exit during the Prague Spring. All that coupled with the moon landing, made his image pristine to many.
The fact that Bobby Kennedy knew how to capitalize on all of his administration successes made him a powerful figures. This was a charismatic man, one that could play to his charm, and his name. By expanding the executive support for the Space Program, civil rights, and welfare, he was not only strenghtening his own beliefs, but tying his image to that of his late brother, and by extension the famous concept of "Camelot".
The Democratic Party was not fully united behind Kennedy, however. The President's liberal stance had alienated many southern democrats. This had fueled George Wallace and his AIP, while leading to a near schism in the Party by early 1970. Since then the President had done much to mend the differences. He had appointed noted southern democrats to his cabinet, and toned down many of his proposals. It had, in large part, succeeded. But not entirely.
John Connaly, former governor of Texas, was, from early on the race, Kennedy's main opponent. The Texan represented to many a more moderate and traditional Democratic Party. Connaly had always been an ambitious figure in the party. As governor, he had been very influential, holding a key electoral state, his support for the party had been very important in previous elections, making sure that Texas remained a democratic powerhouse.
Presidents Kennedy – A time and a place, Jason Petersburg
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As the primaries arrived in March, things looked good for the president. He won New Hampshire with great ease. Florida went to Connaly by les then 20 thousand votes, and left many worried. The worry, however, seemed to evaporate as Kennedy swooped a large landslide in Illinois. April followed with more victories for the President. Wisconsin, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania al went to President Kennedy by very large margins. May 2nd proved a very important day, with primaries in Washington D.C., Ohio and Indiana. Connaly managed to win Indiana with a fair margin, but would lose both D.C. and Ohio, much to the Texan dismay.
And so, by early May, things looked quite grim for former governor John Connaly. Tennessee had seemed like a possible vitory for him, but governor Presley, in the height of his popularity made sure that Kennedy would have the Volunteer State. Therefore, by May 17th, after receiving news of his close defeat in Maryland, John Connaly ended his run for president.
There are rumors that the Texan had hoped to use his race to force Kennedy into giving him a cabinet position. Some historians even state that Connaly had eyes on the Vice-presidency. His failure to threaten Kennedy's run, however, led to any possibility of a deal evaporating.
When the Democratic National Convention arrived in July 10, there was not really any competition left for the President. Ed Muskie, Henry Jackson, even Eugene McCarthy. These were all names put forward in the ballots. But none was of any actual threat. Muskie was quite confortable in his position of Secretary of State, and intended to remain there for the forseable future. Jackson was one of Kennedy's greatest supporters, even if a critic of the president's policy on Vietnam. And Eugene McCarthy was a spent force and knew it.
Victory came in the first Ballot.
In his acceptance speech, Robert F. Kennedy promised to continue to fight for equality, and fairness in the United States. Not one of his most remarkable speeches, it was quite short, and to many, not specially inspired. Regardless, Kennedy had secured his position in his Party, and now moved on to secure his position in the white house.
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History of the Democratic Party, from Jackson to Clinton, Michael A. Cormack
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The Republican Party was, to put it in a word, shaken up. 1968 had done great damage, and now, Lincoln's party struggled to keep up. The so-called "Progressive move" of the early 1970's as it's known today was an attempt of the Party to switch to a more moderate stance. The Republican's had faced defeat repeatedly. It seemed that conservatism was not appealing to many. So, right after their loss in 1968, the GOP would tie itself to the image of Nelson Rockefeller and his "progressives" in a attempt to finnaly gain a edge.
Rockefeller's nomination, to the vast majority of the population, seemed as clear as Kennedy's. No one expected the New Yorker to do so well as he did in 1968. Now he would come blow to blow with Kennedy. That was all quite obvious.
To others, it didn't seem such a certain outcome. The conservatives in the GOP still had a voice, and that voice came in the form of Ronald Reagan.
The Californian would announce his run early on. A big surprise in 1968, Reagan had managed to gain quite a number of votes as a third option, before finally dropping out in support of the other Californian candidate. Now he would try again, placing himself as a defender of the "True Republican party" and of traditional American values.
As the primaries took shape, a question remained in the minds of many political players.
Where was Richard Nixon?
History of the Republican Party, from Lincoln to Cheney, Michael A. Cormack
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Tis i!!! Sorry for the long wait, finnaly returned from my trip and have once again access to my PC and a proper keyboard. More coming tomorrow!