alternatehistory.com

The 1970 Midterm elections took place on November 3rd and President Richard Nixon's Approval ratings stood at 58%. The Democrats would see a net gain of 12 seats in the House, while Nixon's Republicans would net a gain of 3 seats in the house, with Congressman George Bush narrowly defeating Senator Ralph Yarborough,* and conservative party candidate James Buckley won the New York Senate Seat that was once held by the late Robert Kennedy, reducing the Democratic Senate Majority to 52 seats. Upon leaving a victory party in Boston, Senate Majority Whip Kennedy told a crowded hall of reporters that "We had a disappointing night in the Senate. However I can say that the Democratic Party still had a good night, with the gains in the House and with the 11 Governorships we gained. I think both of those show that there's a great deal of discontent with the present administration." When asked if running for President, Kennedy said "I will come to a decision by this summer. There's a lot to consider when making such a decision."

On January 3rd, 1971, Senator Ted Kennedy kept his position as Senate Majority Whip winning 33 votes to West Virginia Senator Robert Byrd's 19 votes, keeping the position with more votes than he had received when he first won the position in 1969.