alternatehistory.com
McGovern Secures the Democratic Nomination. Nixon wins the General Election:
The 1972 Democratic Convention started on July 10th and on that day Senator George McGovern secured the Democratic nomination for President after a contentious primary battle, which saw one candidate, George Wallace get shot and nearly killed by gunman Arthur Bremer. This event gave all candidates secret service protection and even saw Ted Kennedy, who was not a candidate receive secret service protection due to the assassinations of his brothers.
McGovern, who still hadn't picked a running mate, reached out to Senate Majority Whip Ted Kennedy to see if he would accept the position. Kennedy turned him down, but people around Kennedy suggested Congressman Wilbur Mills of Arkansas and Boston Mayor Kevin White. Once word got out that White would be picked, the Massachusetts delegation threatened to boycott the convention. However, Senator Kennedy intervened and urged them not to do so and White was picked. The long fight over the Vice Presidential selection and role call caused both candidates to give their acceptance speeches late into the final evening of the convention. The convention was considered by many to be a disaster.
In August Nixon gave a speech to the American people clamming that he was not at all involved in the break in at the Democratic headquarters. With this, Nixon's visit to China, and an arms limitations treaty with the Soviet Union, as well as a poorly run Democratic campaign, Nixon went on to win the November election in a landslide:
President Richard Nixon / Vice President Spiro Agnew (Republican): 507 Electoral Votes, 58%
Senator George McGovern / Mayor Kevin White (Democratic): 31 Electoral votes, 41%
McGovern, who still hadn't picked a running mate, reached out to Senate Majority Whip Ted Kennedy to see if he would accept the position. Kennedy turned him down, but people around Kennedy suggested Congressman Wilbur Mills of Arkansas and Boston Mayor Kevin White. Once word got out that White would be picked, the Massachusetts delegation threatened to boycott the convention. However, Senator Kennedy intervened and urged them not to do so and White was picked. The long fight over the Vice Presidential selection and role call caused both candidates to give their acceptance speeches late into the final evening of the convention. The convention was considered by many to be a disaster.
In August Nixon gave a speech to the American people clamming that he was not at all involved in the break in at the Democratic headquarters. With this, Nixon's visit to China, and an arms limitations treaty with the Soviet Union, as well as a poorly run Democratic campaign, Nixon went on to win the November election in a landslide:
President Richard Nixon / Vice President Spiro Agnew (Republican): 507 Electoral Votes, 58%
Senator George McGovern / Mayor Kevin White (Democratic): 31 Electoral votes, 41%
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