Came across this while perusing through my copy of Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail.
Muskie by the time Florida rolled around really badly needed a win, something to boost his momentum, and the hope was Florida would provide that sought after victory despite the presence of George Wallace (whom many thought would top at around 20-22%). The pollsters, who had considered the state to be tossed up between Humphrey and Muskie, were quite rattled when Wallace came from behind and carried the primary with 42% of the vote, Humphrey taking 16%, and Muskie with a meager 9%. Ed was hit relatively hard by the loss, and after some time, decided to call a press conference the next day to announce that he was going to withdraw from the race.
Now, he did this without mention to any of his campaign staff or any of his notable supporters who, either further demoralized or incensed, took him aside, convinced him to cancel the conference, and some time later to continue his campaign for the nomination. However despite Muskie's new commitment to the campaign, the staff overall were demoralized given their candidate's perception that the nomination was no longer really there. After further defeats in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania (Massachusetts, some time before considered a state Muskie could carry quite easily, was written off as a lost cause by the time it came around), Ed Muskie finally called it quits.
However, lets suppose that Muskie decides against canceling that press conference on the 15th of March, and announces his withdrawal from the primaries, but does not endorse any other candidate (still hoping to potentially become a compromise candidate at the Convention). Might Humphrey win Wisconsin, and stunt McGovern's momentum?
Muskie by the time Florida rolled around really badly needed a win, something to boost his momentum, and the hope was Florida would provide that sought after victory despite the presence of George Wallace (whom many thought would top at around 20-22%). The pollsters, who had considered the state to be tossed up between Humphrey and Muskie, were quite rattled when Wallace came from behind and carried the primary with 42% of the vote, Humphrey taking 16%, and Muskie with a meager 9%. Ed was hit relatively hard by the loss, and after some time, decided to call a press conference the next day to announce that he was going to withdraw from the race.
Now, he did this without mention to any of his campaign staff or any of his notable supporters who, either further demoralized or incensed, took him aside, convinced him to cancel the conference, and some time later to continue his campaign for the nomination. However despite Muskie's new commitment to the campaign, the staff overall were demoralized given their candidate's perception that the nomination was no longer really there. After further defeats in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania (Massachusetts, some time before considered a state Muskie could carry quite easily, was written off as a lost cause by the time it came around), Ed Muskie finally called it quits.
However, lets suppose that Muskie decides against canceling that press conference on the 15th of March, and announces his withdrawal from the primaries, but does not endorse any other candidate (still hoping to potentially become a compromise candidate at the Convention). Might Humphrey win Wisconsin, and stunt McGovern's momentum?