j.f.k picks scoop jackson as v.p.

zookeeper

Banned
Senator henry jackson wanted the number 2 spot in 1960. what would be the long term afects of Henry scoop jackson as the 36th president of the united states?
 
I agree with those who say that LBJ's absence (and Jackson's Presence) on the Dem ticket probably swings the election Nixon's way and even if this doesn't happen, JFK's schedule is likely to be butterflied due in part to Jackson being VP and partly due to LBJ still presumerably being Senate Majority leader.

In the unlikely event that Jackson does become president on Nov 22nd 1963 however, he'd probably do much the same as LBJ re 'Nam' and the Great Society. I'd imagine some alternate version of the Civel Rights bill passes. Jackson would win in 64 for the same reasons LBJ did historically-CR being implimented, the economy doing okay and the JFK assassination giving him a sympathy boost. Not sure who he'd choose as his running mate though.

I do think Jackson's Vietnam polecy will be as unpopular as Jonson's, though whether he'd decide not to run in 68 is anyone's guess.

That said, there are a few scenarios where Jackson could become president:

(1) 1976, if he manages to overcome Carter and co in the primaries,

(2) 1976 in a TL where Watergate is successfully covered up,

(3) 1980, after a Ford/Reagan presidency,

(4) 1964/68, in a Nixon wins in 1960 scenario. I think 2 and 4 are the most likely out of those myself.
 
1960 could get messy.

No LBJ on the ticket could mean more 'dixiecrat' opposition, Byrd's protest votes, or Thurmond even, could turn into something substantial and throw the election to the Congress to decide.

Democrats have the majority in both houses but with the regional splits, who knows?
 
Senator henry jackson wanted the number 2 spot in 1960. what would be the long term afects of Henry scoop jackson as the 36th president of the united states?
Although this is Alternate History, I do not see Senator Jackson of the state of Washington helping John F. Kennedy win the election of 1960. The election was only decided by 112,000 votes nationwide and Kennedy only won Texas, which had over 20 electorial votes, by a majority of 46,000 votes ... and that was with Johnson as his running mate. With Jackson on the ticket, Kennedy loses!
Kennedy was wanting Stuart Symington as his running mate and also was interested in Orville Freeman being the number 2 pick. If LBJ had declined, I am sure Symington would have been the VP nominee.
 
Last edited:
Top