Challenge: Nixon '64

Your challenge, should you choose to accept it, is one of two scenarios.

1) JFK lives, and have Nixon beat him in 1964 with a 11/22/63 POD. Only domestic (non-WWIII) PODs allowed.

2) Have Nixon drafted if Goldwater dies in 1964, and have Nixon beat Lyndon Johnson. 11/23/63 POD.
 
1) Oswald gets cold feet and decides not to shot JFK. He survives but proves to be unpopular in the south because of his stance on civil rights. JFK decides to downplay the role of America in Vietnam, which is seen by many as sign of weakness in the face of Communism.

The GOP, sensing a possible victory, begins a Draft Nixon movement, hoping that he will be abel to unify the two wing of the party. At first he is against it, but seeing the possibilty for redemption after his loss in 1960; he runs and gets the nomination.

During the election, Nixon furthers the argument the Kennedy is to young, and to weeak against communism to be President. He also has people push the idea that JFK stole the election.

Because of this Nixon is narrowly elected president in `64.
 
Problem: 'Nam was not on the public's radar screen until 1965 IOTL. This is the closest map you can get IMO, but still a JFK squeaker. If Nixon loses two in a row, his political career and "presidentiability" (PI term) are finished. Especially since there's a decent chance (not definite by any means) RFK might go for the '68 nomination. As for the youth argument: Nixon is only four years older than JFK. If he uses a sunlamp properly, debates will be a breeze.

genusmap.php


(D) John F. Kennedy/Lyndon B. Johnson: 298 EV, 54.4%
(R) Richard M. Nixon/ William W. Scranton: 240 EV, 45.5%

Incumbent President: John Kennedy (D)
 
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