Nixon's Fifties

The Point of Divergence here is that Robert Taft, not Dwight Eisenhower is the Republican nominee. Like Eisenhower, Taft chooses Senator Richard Nixon as his running mate. Now, there is a chance that Nixon will be booted from the ticket thanks to the Checkers Affair, but let's say Nixon makes it to the Vice Presidency here. Now Taft isn't going to live long, he dies in 1953 of cancer. Vice President Nixon becomes President Nixon, more than a decade before he historically did.

What policies would President Nixon pursue between 1953-1956?
How does President Nixon deal with McCarthy?
This doesn't lead to the Soviet American War somehow, does it?
In 1956, who would Nixon pick for his running mate? Who would the Democrats nominate to run against Nixon? I mean, for all the powers of incumbency Nixon is a manifestly weaker candidate than General Eisenhower. If the Democrats think they have a chance, do the pick Stevenson again? Would Nixon be reelected? Assuming he is, what happens in 1960 if the American public doesn't "have Nixon to kick around anymore" How does President Nixon spend his retirement? I mean, running for Governor after having been President doesn't seem right. But it's hard to see Nixon slipping into retirement at age 48. But if Nixon isn't involved in the political arena, and the law bores him to death, what can he do?
 
Nixon pursues similar policies to Ike's, probably handles McCarthy a bit sooner but carefully timed to avoid damaging his credentials with the right. He backs the UK and France over Suez, and we hashed out those consequences in Wolfpaw's Suez thread last year.

'56: Nixon-Dirksen v. Stevenson-Drunkard. The only other candidate is Harriman, who was unacceptable to the Democratic base. Nixon gets reelected on peace and prosperity, plus the fact that the Democrats have only been out of power for 4 years after having been in power for the previous 20. JFK could be picked for VP, but that would add unnecessary baggage for a '60 run.

'60: The Senate because it offers a place in the national debate.
 
Nixon pursues similar policies to Ike's, probably handles McCarthy a bit sooner but carefully timed to avoid damaging his credentials with the right. He backs the UK and France over Suez, and we hashed out those consequences in Wolfpaw's Suez thread last year.

'56: Nixon-Dirksen v. Stevenson-Drunkard. The only other candidate is Harriman, who was unacceptable to the Democratic base. Nixon gets reelected on peace and prosperity, plus the fact that the Democrats have only been out of power for 4 years after having been in power for the previous 20. JFK could be picked for VP, but that would add unnecessary baggage for a '60 run.

'60: The Senate because it offers a place in the national debate.

Would Nixon really be willing to run for Senate in 1960? I mean there is something undignified about a sitting term limited President seeking another office during his first year. Also, since the congress meets and is sworn in slightly before the President is, wouldn't that mean a Nixon would have to step down as President to accept a seat in the Senate if he ran in 1960. True, it's only a matter of weeks, but it would be amusing if Richard Nixon had to resign here for completely innocuous reasons. Also if Dirksen isn't the Victor in 1960, we have a new shortest Presidency ever under that scenario.
 
Would Nixon really be willing to run for Senate in 1960? I mean there is something undignified about a sitting term limited President seeking another office during his first year. Also, since the congress meets and is sworn in slightly before the President is, wouldn't that mean a Nixon would have to step down as President to accept a seat in the Senate if he ran in 1960. True, it's only a matter of weeks, but it would be amusing if Richard Nixon had to resign here for completely innocuous reasons. Also if Dirksen isn't the Victor in 1960, we have a new shortest Presidency ever under that scenario.

I meant after 1960. Since it wouldn't do to try and primary Kuchel in '62, run in '64. Assuming JFK is elected in '60 and Engle dies on schedule, Nixon gets to trounce Salinger and humiliate JFK on his landslide reelection victory night. Plus being de facto opposition leader.
 
It might be more likely that Nixon would return to the Senate but in 1962 or possibly Governor in 1962. I don't see him running right away in 1960. But I do think that JKF would beat Dirksen and his VP might be someone like Humphrey instead of Johnson or Symington what about a President Symington?
 
It might be more likely that Nixon would return to the Senate but in 1962 or possibly Governor in 1962. I don't see him running right away in 1960. But I do think that JKF would beat Dirksen and his VP might be someone like Humphrey instead of Johnson or Symington what about a President Symington?

It has to be LBJ because only LBJ can carry the South.
 
Setting aside election issues, I doubt we'd see a President Symington here even if he could be the VP, because Dallas is almost certainly not going to happen and it's hard to see Stuart Symington running for President in his own right in 1968.
 
Setting aside election issues, I doubt we'd see a President Symington here even if he could be the VP, because Dallas is almost certainly not going to happen and it's hard to see Stuart Symington running for President in his own right in 1968.

Symington is also 66 in 1968, which was too old for a first term. Particularly after the last two presidents left office at 48 and 51 respectively. Whoever the Democratic nominee is in '68 will likely lose if for no other reason than the post-22nd (except '88) two-term alternation. Even if RFK's career track is set for a '68 run, he'll wait 8 years for the next open race. So IMO HHH-Sanders v. Goldwater-Rhodes, with Goldwater winning.
 
I meant after 1960. Since it wouldn't do to try and primary Kuchel in '62, run in '64. Assuming JFK is elected in '60 and Engle dies on schedule, Nixon gets to trounce Salinger and humiliate JFK on his landslide reelection victory night. Plus being de facto opposition leader.

Makes sense, I imagine Nixon is going to despise the 22nd amendment here. He's the first President affected by it. If the latter half of the 1960's is anything like the historical sixties, which may be stretching things a bit, I can see Nixon playing king maker if he's popular enough. Only problem is, assuming some degree of convergence, there isn't a whole lot for him to choose from. Hard to see Nixon anointing Romney, and either Goldwater or Rockefeller are branded by the loss in 1964. (With a POD in 1953, it could probably be either one that loses 1964 if we are assuming a good deal of convergence.) But can we presume, "the Big Switch" would happen here? I mean isn't there a distinct possibility that Knowland decides to stay in the Senate? In which case Nixon is out of luck as far as the Senate is concerned presuming Knowland can win in 1958, and again in 1964.
 
Running for governor makes little sense after having been POTUS, leave that to Christopher. Or even Sam Yorty if he successfully primaries Brown. IOTL JFK did offer Nixon an unnamed administration position which he declined. Obviously not in '60, but maybe in '65 if McNamara turns the Kennedys down for the Pentagon in '60. They were planning to replace Rusk with McNamara IOTL, so why not put Nixon at Foggy Bottom in a nice bipartisan gesture? They have the same FP views anyways, plus without the rancor of direct electoral competition the personal friendship is still intact.
 
I am also not sure Taft would pick Nixon.

Ike picked Nixon to balance the moderate/conservative wings.

I don't know in 52 if they would have a conservative/conservative ticket
 
I am also not sure Taft would pick Nixon.

Ike picked Nixon to balance the moderate/conservative wings.

I don't know in 52 if they would have a conservative/conservative ticket

In 1952 Nixon was seen as a bridge between Ike and Taft partisans, so that's not an issue.
 
How about Taft picking Earl Warren for VP and save Nixon for 1960. Warren was Governor of California for 10 years and across party line guy.
 
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