If that were to happen, do you think it would change the way either party behaves in 2013? I don't.
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I disagree - politics is a cycle - if Romney/Ryan lose in November then the Republican Party is going to take a shift left and go back to a more Moderate course for awhile. Sure, there will still be the John Birch Society, or I guess today we would call them the Tea Party, but the more Moderate faction will take over the helm for awhile.
I tell people this, and a lot of people respond that "Romney is a moderate" - No he isn't. He sold his soul to the Tea Party to win the nomination. He's not his father and he's not the Gov. of Massachussetts anymore. He's made a HUGE shift right.
Now for the topic of the thread, I think Humphrey has a legitimate shot at winning in 1972; for the simple fact that Nixon has prolonged Vietnam, the econonmy is stagnant, Humphrey is still more trusted over Nixon, etc. I'm not sure who Hump picks for his running mate in '72 - I doubt it'll be Muskie or McGovern. He won't pick McCarthy because he's from Minnesota and that would forfeit the electoral votes. I think Gaylord Nelson is a possiblity, that would secure Wisconsin and a lot of the environmentally friendly states. Perhaps Mo Udall, Jerry Brown, or Dale Bumpers to name a few.
There are three things that are for sure with Humphrey winning in '72: 1.)The Republican Party stays more moderate as Humphrey is willing to work with them in Congress and 2.) Humphrey, becomes the first president to resign in mid to late 1977 due to health problems. 3.) Depending on who and how the Hump's VP is and does for Humphrey's second term will determine if the Republican's win in 1980 or 1984.