Richard Nixon for Senate 1968.

This is an idea I mentioned in the timeline description game, but I am curious to see where it might lead. There was a possibility, however slim, between 1965 and 1968 than someone else would have been in an unbeatable position for the Republican nomination, and that Nixon might have been dissuaded from contesting it. So let's say that's the case. Someone else is so good a position for the Republican nomination that Nixon is dissuaded from seeking it. Instead, he decides to run for Senate. He can either run in New York or California if he is able to change his residency in time. I realize that's a major plausibility question. But if Nixon makes his decision in 1967, it might be possible. Now historically Senator Kuchel was defeated in the primary, so Nixon defeating him might be possible if he can win the conservative vote that ousted Kuchel historically. Let's say he wins the primary. Can Richard Nixon defeat Alan Cranston in the general election?

Conversely, if Nixon decides to stay in New York, or if that's the only political option available to him, how might he express his urge to reenter politics if the Presidential nomination seems totally closed off?
 
Conversely, if Nixon decides to stay in New York, or if that's the only political option available to him, how might he express his urge to reenter politics if the Presidential nomination seems totally closed off?

Perhaps he challenges Jacob Javits for renomination in the Senate race?
 
Perhaps he challenges Jacob Javits for renomination in the Senate race?

He could try, I guess. But he'd be up against a popular two-term senator running for a third term with huge support from the liberal State GOP machine, from Javits' friend Nelson Rockefeller on down. Even LBJ did not want to see Javits gone, and saw to it he faced only minimal Democratic opposition. I doubt Nixon could even raise the $$$ to get the signatures to create a Republican Senate Primary. Besides, New York State had just re-introduced primaries for the first time since 1920, and the GOP State Committee had designated Javits as the GOP nominee without a primary election.

Nixon, if he asked the State Republicans in Albany for their support, would have all but been laughed at. And I'm pretty sure he hated NY politics anyway.

There are a host of candidates viable to run in 1968 as Republicans. Nixon was not one of them.

Paging RogueBeaver
 
Top