Challenge: Democratic POTUS Eugene McCarthy

Humphrey and Johnson have a falling out in 1960, not sure what would cause it but the important thing is Johnson cannot stand Humphrey ITTL and vice versa. Assuming minimal butterflies, with Humphrey out of the running, McCarthy somehow winds up as the Vice Presidential nominee in 1964 in Humphrey's place. Because McCarthy cannot challenge Johnson in New Hampshire, Johnson continues his reelection efforts a little while longer, unfortunately for Johnson, the effort and stress of campaigning lead to his second heart attack, this time the result is fatal. Around February or March of 1968 President Lyndon Johnson is dead. McCarthy is sworn in as his successor. While President McCarthy attempts to reverse Johnson's Vietnam policies, his reputation among those opposed to the war is tarnished by his connection to the Johnson Administration. In the end McCarthy probably loses the election to Richard Nixon, though the election of 1968 will be quiet different with incumbent President McCarthy. McCarthy's Presidency is viewed mostly as a continuation of the Johnson Administration, and is among the shortest in American history, lasting slightly less than a year.
Yes I know the POD's vague, but I couldn't think of a specific POD in 1960 that would do the trick.
 
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RFK did offer him State after his Oregon defeat as a bargaining chip, mostly because if Gene went for Hubert, 50+1, game over. But that wouldn't work because they hated each other:

Originally Posted by Robert Kennedy: "Gene McCarthy feels he should've been President just because he knew more St. Thomas Aquinas than my brother."

Originally Posted by Eugene McCarthy: "Bobby had an inferiority complex, but Jack never did."

Not exactly conducive to diplomatic relations.
 
I didn't mean to imply he'd be a good President, or even that my scenario is particularly likely. If I remember correctly Johnson did briefly consider McCarthy in 64' before rejecting him for Humphrey. I'm guessing he had good reason to do so. But a McCarthy pick in 64 seems the easiest way to work it in, unless we want to go with a Nixon Presidency in 61' in which case it's a whole different ballgame. But as you said, it is borderline ASB. I once tried to read a book the man wrote, he spent ten pages ranting about fountain pens.
 
He wanted a man with RFK's qualities without picking Bobby. Catholic, youth appeal, intellectuality, etc. Not charisma though: McCarthy made Nixon look charismatic in comparison.
 
Instead of selecting Hubert Humphrey as his running mate, President Johnson instead selects the other Senator from Minnesota: Eugene McCarthy (he was, after all, seriously considered by the Johnson camp in 1964). Perhaps, butterflies result in Johnson taking up smoking again at the height of American involvement in Vietnam and he dies sometime between 1966 and 1967. Thus, resulting in Eugene Joseph McCarthy becoming 37th President of the United States. Apart from Johnson selecting somebody else other than Humphrey as his running mate, and in turn dying due to butterflies I cannot see how Gene would ever become President. Not that such is likely, of course.
 
With LBJ dead, Hubert a non-factor, and Gene a lame duck, RFK is acclaimed the Democratic nominee. I'd love to see the reaction among certain sectors. How many headdesks?
 
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