AHC. Elect Teddy Kennedy POTUS.

Here's the challenge AH.

Get Teddy Kennedy elected POTUS.

Rules:

1. Use a POD no earlier than June 7th, 1968.
2. Must be elected, not assume the presidency in another fashion. (Ex: He's the VP when something happens to the POTUS)

Have fun!
 
The problem with Ted is, I think, that he is too far down the line. By the time the Kennedy's had gotten to the third one and we were saying "third times the charm", I think as a culture, we felt it had gotten ridiculous or just that its time had passed, even if we didn't articulate it.
 
1968 is early enough to get rid of Chappaquiddick, so you're close to set already. Kennedy comes in in 1976, early, not late like Brown or Church, wins enough of the early primaries to become the Anybody But Carter candidate. I think Kennedy could likely pick up some big states Carter didn't - California, most importantly.
 
Kennedy accepts his invite to the launch of Apollo 11 on July 16th (IOTL he declined as he felt it was "Nixon's Party") after the launch he stays in Florida for a few days and therefore Chappaquiddick never happens. As IOTL he recognises Nixon is unbeatable in '72 and sits the campaign out, Watergate goes as OTL, Kennedy runs in 1976 probably capturing a wave of nostalgia for the Camelot of his brother in contrast to Nixon, and beats Ford comfortably.

As to how good a POTUS he'd be that's a different story, interesting to see how he'd manage Iran.
 
As mentioned taking away Chappaquiddick almost guarantees him the Democratic nomination whenever he seeks it. Alternatively according to his wikipedia (not the most reliable source I know) he was offered/mentioned for VP at the 1968 Democratic Convention alongside Humphrey. If he accepts it sets him up to be either VP or the heir apparent for 1972 in a possible Nixon-Kennedy rematch! :p
 
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