Vice President Hubert Humphrey almost selected Senator Fred R. Harris of Oklahoma as his vice presidential nominee, however, Senator Edmund Muskie of Maine's age, governmental experience, and quiet temperament convinced Humphrey to select him instead. Muskie was surprised to have been nominated because Maine is not electorally rich (which probably contributed to their landslide defeat against Nixon-Agnew).
The Finalists for Humphrey's shortlist were:
The Finalists for Humphrey's shortlist were:
- Senator Edmund Muskie of Maine (OTL's Vice Presidential Nominee)
- San Francisco Mayor Joseph Alioto of California
- Senator Fred R. Harris of Oklahoma
- Governor Richard J. Hughes of New Jersey
- Former Deputy Secretary of Defense Cyrus Vance of West Virginia