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November 1968

After one of the most eventful and controversial Election seasons in American History, the day has finally arrived.

Former Vice President Richard Nixon, still bitter from his loss for the Presidency in 1960 and the California Governorship in 1962, has formed a new strategy, surrounded himself with new people and is willing to do whatever it takes to win the Presidency.

Squaring off against Nixon is Vice President Hubert Humphrey, who has spent the last few months trying to distance himself from President Johnson and the issue of Vietnam. Personally Humphrey is against the war, but had no choice but to support the President if he expected to attain the nomination. His only hope is that he's had enough time to make himself square with the anti-war folks that Nixon has been courting.

It has been a bitter fight for both candidates and with Governor George Wallace in the race as well, the final result could get very interesting.

November 4, 1968

The race for the White House has been neck and neck with Nixon edging Humphrey by one or two percentage points in the final Gallup poll just days before the election. Humphrey would need a miracle it seemed like, to beat Nixon.

Miracles were on the Vice President's side on Monday. At 7 PM, just 12 hours before the polls were to open, President Johnson called for a Press Conference from the Oval Office.

"Good evening. I have called this Press Conference tonight to inform you, the American People, of an incident that I had been made aware of on the 29th of October. We have been trying to negotiate for Peace in Vietnam for the last few months, and we were making progress. Just recently however, we have met with resistance. The progress made has been halted. Upon investigation of the matter, it has been made aware to us that former Vice President Nixon has negotiated a deal to halt the Peace Talks until he is President. I have spoken with Senate Minority Leader Dirksen who agreed with me that this kind of behavior is treasonous. I have spoken with Nixon himself and he assured me that no such deal existed and that it was simply a scare tactic thought up by Vice President Humphrey's campaign. However, I have been briefed on the situation and there is overwhelming evidence of sabatoge and treason by both Nixon and Spiro Agnew. We cannot condone this type of behavior in any year, let alone an election year. Peace is a fragile thing that cannot be gambled with for personal gain. Action will be taken after the election tomorrow. Thank you and good night."

Following the President's Speech, Nixon issues a statement to the papers:

"I stand by my statement that I made to the President: 'No such deal was made to halt the peace talks in Vietnam until after I'm elected.' As I've said earlier, the Vice President's camp was worried and they've shown their weakness by conjuring up fairy tales. It's a scare tactic, that's all.


November 5, 1968

Vice President Humphrey, speaking from an election party in Minneapolis spoke of the issue:

"The American People need a President who isn't going to risk the lives of thousands of young Americans so he can win an election. We cannot and will not tolerate the treasonous acts of Mr. Nixon. I would never gamble Peace for personal gain."

As Election Day arrives it is becoming clearer and clearer that the American People are upset by Nixon's actions. While his Southern Strategy shored up the South for both he and Governor Wallace, Vice President Humphrey walked away with wins in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio in the Midwest that would've likely gone for Nixon, as well as New Jersey in the East. By the end of the day, Nixon concedes defeat to Humphrey:

"I have a long and fruitful career as a Senator and then as Vice President and it was an honor to serve the people in both capacities. I wanted nothing more than be your President. But the American People have spoken. They have chosen the person who they feel is better equipped to handle the affairs of this Country and I wish Vice President Humphrey the best in the upcoming years. I firmly believe that he will work tirelessly to bring a just and lasting peace in Vietnam and around the world... It is with heavy heart that I announce my retirement from public service and go back to being a private citizen"

Hubert Humphrey/Edmund Muskie 285 EV
Richard Nixon/Spiro Agnew 207 EV
George Wallace/Curtis LeMay 46 EV
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