Earlier Watergate = President McGovern?

Pretty much was it says on the tin. If the Nixon Administration suffered a "Watergate Scandal" similar to the OTL one but instead of in the middle of Nixon's second term it was at some point prior to his re-election - would this be a good POD for a McGovern presidency? (Wow, that was a mouthful)

What would a McGovern presidency look like?
 
I could see Nixon's popularity tanking if it's revealed that he got in the way of Vietnam peace negotiations just to prevent Humphrey from winning.
 
I could see Nixon's popularity tanking if it's revealed that he got in the way of Vietnam peace negotiations just to prevent Humphrey from winning.

I'm in agreement with this, however, this could lead to a stronger Democratic nominee than McGovern (Humphrey 2.0, Muskie) running against Nixon and in my view is the best way to bring Nixon down in '72.

As for Watergate happening earlier, I think if it did, there'd be pressure from the party for Nixon to decline seeking another term and let someone else run (Rockefeller or Reagan perhaps) and if McGovern is still the nominee, and his campaign is run as OTL, the Eagleton debacle still happens, and Rocky or Reagan use the "Acid, Amnesty, Abortion" (I think this was the line of the Nixon campaign OTL, correct me if I'm wrong), McGovern still loses.
 
As for Watergate happening earlier, I think if it did, there'd be pressure from the party for Nixon to decline seeking another term and let someone else run (Rockefeller or Reagan perhaps) and if McGovern is still the nominee, and his campaign is run as OTL, the Eagleton debacle still happens, and Rocky or Reagan use the "Acid, Amnesty, Abortion" (I think this was the line of the Nixon campaign OTL, correct me if I'm wrong), McGovern still loses.
Well that's mainly what I was asking about the date - if it's past the Republican primary season like let's say October or November and Nixon and Agnew both get implicated like IOTL, it would be too late for Nixon to realistically be replaced, or if he and Agnew did both resign like IOTL whoever replaced them would be in a very weak position.
 
Well that's mainly what I was asking about the date - if it's past the Republican primary season like let's say October or November and Nixon and Agnew both get implicated like IOTL, it would be too late for Nixon to realistically be replaced, or if he and Agnew did both resign like IOTL whoever replaced them would be in a very weak position.

IF it was that late, I don't think they'd be replaced. With McGovern's campaign being run the way it was though and with the VP debacle, I honestly think it would be a toss up.

This thread aside, 1972 OTL was one of three elections of the last 50 years where the incumbent was heavily favored to win, or in other words was unbeatable. The other two elections were 1984 and 1996. In my opinion, you'd need McGovern to run near flawlessly and have Watergate hit at the earliest, the end of summer of 1972 for McGovern to pull of a narrow win.
 
IF it was that late, I don't think they'd be replaced. With McGovern's campaign being run the way it was though and with the VP debacle, I honestly think it would be a toss up.

This thread aside, 1972 OTL was one of three elections of the last 50 years where the incumbent was heavily favored to win, or in other words was unbeatable. The other two elections were 1984 and 1996. In my opinion, you'd need McGovern to run near flawlessly and have Watergate hit at the earliest, the end of summer of 1972 for McGovern to pull of a narrow win.
That sounds interesting. Could we talk about that?
 
That sounds interesting. Could we talk about that?

Watergate happening as an October surprise? Elections of the last 50 years that were favorable to the incumbent? McGovern's campaign? A little of all three? What did you want to talk about?
 
Watergate happening as an October surprise? Elections of the last 50 years that were favorable to the incumbent? McGovern's campaign? A little of all three? What did you want to talk about?
Sorry, this part:
In my opinion, you'd need McGovern to run near flawlessly and have Watergate hit at the earliest, the end of summer of 1972 for McGovern to pull of a narrow win.
Plus how a McGovern presidency would go.

Who would be a better replacement for Eagleton - Gaylord Nelson? A lot of people said no to McGovern. :( Although maybe a different campaign beforehand would make them more kindly to him - definitely want to avoid the whole "Abortion, Acid" comments.
 
Sorry, this part:

Plus how a McGovern presidency would go.

Who would be a better replacement for Eagleton - Gaylord Nelson? A lot of people said no to McGovern. :( Although maybe a different campaign beforehand would make them more kindly to him - definitely want to avoid the whole "Abortion, Acid" comments.

Hmm... Heck I'll give it a try. McGovern pretty much wins the nomination as he did OTL. After that, somehow, make it so that he isn't giving his acceptance speech at 2 am (I think that was the time he gave it) and instead somehow have him give it the next day, so more people can watch. Also, have him do more to reach out to the old new dealers in the party, so that it's more unified going into the general election. Then, with a better vetting process, have him pick a different running mate (I don't have any names at the top of my head, maybe Carter or Dale Bumpers to balance the ticket regionally and ideologically). You also need the Democrats to keep both the far left/hippies and the Dixiecrats quiet. Then, have Watergate break out in say, August perhaps and have it drag on, with Nixon trying to cover it up and shooting himself in the foot in the process. Then, as an October surprise, have Agnew's tax evasion come out. With all of that baggage , and with the fringe of the party on both ends (far lefties and Dixiecrats) kept in check, McGovern wins by a hair.

As for his Presidency, you might get Healthcare reform and troops are pulled out of Vietnam. Outside of that, it sucks. The economy is still going to go south and there will still be an energy shortage in 1973, Saigon will still fall and I can see the Democratic party dividing itself the way it did in the late '60s. The 1974 midterms go strongly for the GOP but not enough to flip either chamber of congress, especially the house. With all of that, Ronald Reagan wins in 1976, by a margin similar to Nixon's in '68, deals with the Iranian revolutions (although there may not be a hostage crisis), a second energy crisis, and double digit inflation. He goes on to lose the 1980 election. You'll have 3 Presidencies in 12 years just like OTL.
 
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