In the General Election of 1968, George Wallace ran on the American Independent ticket with Curtis LeMay as a segregationist. He didn't expect to win, but he hoped to deadlock the Electoral College and put Richard Nixon and Hubert Humphrey in a position where, to gain a majority, they would have to appease him. How? By agreeing to use the authority of the Presidency to end desegregation in America.
He failed. He carried only five States, impressive enough for a third party ticket, but with only forty-six Electors between them, not enough to deadlock the vote. Nixon got just a touch above three hundred, more than enough in his quest to win the White House without having to shake hands with a segregationist devil.
What if he didn't? What if Wallace got it done, and Nixon was only able to get a plurality? Wallace goes to Nixon and lays it out. Promise me that a Nixon Administration will be hostile to desegregation in America, and I will work in support of you when the House meets to elect one of us the next President. Refuse, and I'll see what Mr. Humphrey has to say.
What happens?
He failed. He carried only five States, impressive enough for a third party ticket, but with only forty-six Electors between them, not enough to deadlock the vote. Nixon got just a touch above three hundred, more than enough in his quest to win the White House without having to shake hands with a segregationist devil.
What if he didn't? What if Wallace got it done, and Nixon was only able to get a plurality? Wallace goes to Nixon and lays it out. Promise me that a Nixon Administration will be hostile to desegregation in America, and I will work in support of you when the House meets to elect one of us the next President. Refuse, and I'll see what Mr. Humphrey has to say.
What happens?