The Reagen Presidency of 1968

Here's another go :D

POD: On August 5, 1968, Richard Nixon is just arriving at the Republican National Convention when a man of about 25 rushes him and shoots him several times with a pistol, killing the former vice-president.

- In the aftermath of the assassination the convention is postponed a week and a half but it is decided that it must occur. When it does come down to voting those electors planning to back Nixon are faced with a tough decision on who to back. Many begin swaying to the Reagen camp as he won 37% of the popular vote in primary states as compared to Rockefeller's 3%.

- When the delegates cast their votes Reagen narrowly beats out Rockefeller and wins the Republican nomination. As planned John Lindsay is nominated as his vice president.

- The election turns out almost exactly as it did in OTL and Reagen becomes president, defeating Herbert Humphry.

Well there's a start now. How would a Reagen presidency differ from a Nixon one, besides not having Watergate?
 
I've actually thought about the possibility of a Reagan Vice Presidency in the time period. While it does seem slightly implausible due to state voting restrictions. If I remember correctly, Nixon at the time could easily claim to be from New York as a opposed to California which would allow for such a scenario. Have Reagan do slightly better at the convention, and have Nixon convinced he won't be nominated unless he gives Reagan something, and we might see a Nixon/Reagan ticket in 1968. It might seem bizarre, and I'm not sure what the implications of a Reagan vice Presidency are.
 
Top