Alternate Nixon VPs

Who could Nixon have picked as his Vice-President, instead of Agnew in 1968 and Ford in 1973, so there is a different President after Watergate?

First, alternate Nixon running mates in 1968.
1968 alternate VPs
  • Robert Finch-the California Lieutenant Governor was apparently Nixon's first choice
  • George Romney
  • John Lindsay
  • George HW Bush
  • Mark Hatfield-after he endorsed Nixon, there was speculation he'd be picked.
  • Ed Brooke
  • Charles Percy
1973 alternate VPs
  • John Connally
  • George HW Bush
  • Nelson Rockefeller
  • Ronald Reagan
  • Ed Brooke
A survey of Republican party leaders by the White House had Reagan and Rockefeller tied for first choice.

Did I miss anyone? Any thoughts on the alternate VPs? How would a different pick alter history? What would be the effects? How would their presidency go? What if?
 
The reason Nixon picked Agnew was because he actually polled better when a vice president was not added to the equation. That is why he chose a running mate no one knew. Had Agnew turned him down, or had the Nixon campaign discovered Agnew had scandal or the potential for scandal, it is likely his decision would have been made on a similar basis. The choice of VP in 1973 was an effort to make the administration appear clean, and to have a candidate that would build unity and consensus.

In either situation, I think George Bush fits the mold. And apparently Bush only barely missed the chance, if you believe certain sources. Bush is southern, so far as I am aware he was unknown, but he came from an establishment family in the Republican party.

http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/washington-whispers/2011/08/10/nixon-nearly-picked-bush-as-vp
 
I posted him on the Hipster Presidents and PM thread but John Chafee, War Hero, Prominent Political Family, Rockerfeller Republican- He'd be a great balance to the ticket
 
I posted him on the Hipster Presidents and PM thread but John Chafee, War Hero, Prominent Political Family, Rockerfeller Republican- He'd be a great balance to the ticket

The issue is, he needed someone who would appeal to Thurmond in order to get Thurmond's delegates and thus the nomination - a NE Rockefeller liberal would never do for him.
 
The issue is, he needed someone who would appeal to Thurmond in order to get Thurmond's delegates and thus the nomination - a NE Rockefeller liberal would never do for him.
I don't know the breakdown of delegates, but surely if Thurmond disagrees with VP choice and wants a Southerner and tries to go to Reagen, Rockerfeller would probably comprise as he would rather have Nixon than Reagan. Wouldn't Agnew be too pro-civil rights for Thurmond anyway considering appeal to black voters was why he was picked?
 

EMTSATX

Banned
I believe the reason Ford was chosen, was The Democrats told those who mattered that they would confirm Ford easily and not so much anyone else.
 
Mark Hatfield would've been an excellent choice, if combined with a "Northern Strategy" by Nixon. In such a scenario Nixon could peel off several Northern states while still maintaining large support in the South.
 
Who could Nixon have picked as his Vice-President, instead of Agnew in 1968 and Ford in 1973, so there is a different President after Watergate?

First, alternate Nixon running mates in 1968.
1968 alternate VPs
  • Robert Finch-the California Lieutenant Governor was apparently Nixon's first choice
  • George Romney
  • John Lindsay
  • George HW Bush
  • Mark Hatfield-after he endorsed Nixon, there was speculation he'd be picked.
  • Ed Brooke
  • Charles Percy
1973 alternate VPs
  • John Connally
  • George HW Bush
  • Nelson Rockefeller
  • Ronald Reagan
  • Ed Brooke
A survey of Republican party leaders by the White House had Reagan and Rockefeller tied for first choice.

Did I miss anyone? Any thoughts on the alternate VPs? How would a different pick alter history? What would be the effects? How would their presidency go? What if?

You're missing one of the leading contenders in 1968 - Massachusetts Gov. John Volpe. A little more on him from Politico: http://www.politico.com/story/2013/08/opinion-joseph-bosco-richard-nixon-watergate-095308?o=1.
 
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