If Robert Kennedy had taken the 1968 Democratic nomination at the Convention, who would have been his running mate? I assume Humphrey would have retreated in pique, and Eugene McCarthy seems too similar to Kennedy in his positions.
Probably any democrat that would win him some southern support. His running mate would most likely be a new-deal populist that supported a bigger welfare government a la LBJ. Then again, Bobby Kennedy would want a running mate that wouldn't disillusion his liberal support base or end up leaving the ticket. What about Tennessee senator Al Gore Sr, an opponent of the Vietnam War and a supporter or the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
He looks interesting, but at 61 might not there be a feeling that the VP would again be an LBJ figure in terms of age?
I was wondering about George McGovern, especially as I recall that at the DNC in Chicago he got some electoral votes, after Kennedy's assassination. As you say, though, he isn't a Southerner so that might not be much 'balance'. I was also wondering about John Connally, as Governor of Texas he was wounded in JFK's assassination and might be thought able to do the LBJ job, but it seems that by 1968 he was falling out with Democrats over Vietnam and certainly would have disagreed fundamentally with RFK on that issue.
Probably any democrat that would win him some southern support. His running mate would most likely be a new-deal populist that supported a bigger welfare government a la LBJ. Then again, Bobby Kennedy would want a running mate that wouldn't disillusion his liberal support base or end up leaving the ticket. What about Tennessee senator Al Gore Sr, an opponent of the Vietnam War and a supporter or the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
I always thought Fred Harris was a good choice. He was a senator from Oklahoma and a big supporter of the great society and civil rights act. He should be able to provide regional balance while keeping things progressive.
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Other southerners are:
- Moderate Democratic Governor of North Carolina Dan K. Moore
- Senator George Smathers of Florida, although he coddled to segregationalist for their support, he supported LBJ's civil rights act, he was also a close friend of JFK.
- Former Governor of North Carolina, Terry Sanford, noted for his progressive leadership in civil rights and education
I'm quite surprised no one has mentioned, United States Senator from Washington, H. M. Scoop Jackson, being known as "THE" Cold War liberal and anti-Communist Democrat, Jackson supported higher military spending and a hard line against the Soviet Union, while also supporting social welfare programs, civil rights, and labor unions.
Representative from Arizona, Mo Udall, could be an interesting vice president. With his liberal views, being 6 foot 5 and self-deprecating wit, he was deemed, "too funny to be president" but would he do well being the running mate.
I too think Senator from Oklahoma, Fred Harris is a great choice for Kennedy also because for openly criticizing President Lyndon B. Johnson's handling of the Vietnam War.
I second this.There was a lot of speculation that it might be Terry Sanford. After all, the South was one of RFK's weaker areas and Sanford could help him there. His record on civil rights was sufficiently progressive that African Americans and white liberals would not object to him. Moreover, Sanford had been a Humphrey supporter, so his choice might help relations with the Humphrey camp.