Let's say that Dwight Eisenhower, for whatever reason, chooses to run as an independent candidate in 1952. Can Eisenhower and whoever his running mate is beat the Democratic and Republican candidates and win the election?
Having Taft as the Republican seems likely, but why would no Eisenhower give Truman victory where he lost OTL?Presuming that his opponents are Taft and Truman, it's quite possible.
Having Taft as the Republican seems likely, but why would no Eisenhower give Truman victory where he lost OTL?
I agree. With a Republican vote split between Taft and Eisenhower, a Democratic victory is assured for ANY candidate beside Truman. If Truman is nominated for the Democrats, and Taft for the Republcians, Eisenhower has a good chance.I don't think it necessarily would, just that Stevenson or Kefauver would probably be able to beat independent Ike splitting the Republican vote.
I agree. With a Republican vote split between Taft and Eisenhower, a Democratic victory is assured for ANY candidate beside Truman. If Truman is nominated for the Democrats, and Taft for the Republcians, Eisenhower has a good chance.
In 1952 Stevenson received 44.3% of the PV. I see it as likely that, with another Republican nominee and Eisenhower running idependent, that Stevenson could have won in 52' (Popular vote anyway. I have no idea how that Electoral College will look like).Eisenhower had no pre-existing political record. He could easily pull in Democratic votes as well running as an independent (that, is more than he did, OTL).
But would all of Stevenson's votes have gone to him? Even though Eisenhower was Republican in all but name, if he ran as an independent he might be able to get some people who voted Democrat out of opposition to the GOP.In 1952 Stevenson received 44.3% of the PV. I see it as likely that, with another Republican nominee and Eisenhower running idependent, that Stevenson could have won in 52' (Popular vote anyway. I have no idea how that Electoral College will look like).
Without Eisenhower's coattails, I doubt the Republicans would have gained the majority in the House or Senate.I am typing on a mobile device right now, so when I type paragraphs, I sometimes am unable to scroll completely down. I meant to conclude the following post with "White House."
The tied election followed by a Republican majority deciding the election, however unlikely, probably results in President Taft. At the very least, assuming that the House and Senate still have a Republican majority, Taft's runningmate will be Vice President. However it may not be unimaginable that Ike's congressional support would be strong enough to merit some concessions on Taft's part in order to facilitate the arrival of a Taft Presidency, and I suspect Eisenhower's demands would involve pushing a more internationalist foreign policy on Taft, based on what had happened prior to and during the fight for the nomination.
There is a slim possibility that some sort of congressional coalition of Democrats and Liberal Republicans decides to elect Eisenhower, but that may so implausible as to not merit discussion in this forum.
Without Eisenhower's coattails, I doubt the Republicans would have gained the majority in the House or Senate.
The tied election followed by a Republican majority deciding the election, however unlikely, probably results in President Taft. At the very least, assuming that the House and Senate still have a Republican majority, Taft's runningmate will be Vice President.
So, why?