WI: Mary Elizabeth “Liddy” Hanford never became a Republican and never married Bob Dole?

In OTL, Mary Elizabeth “Liddy” Hanford campaigned for Kennedy-Johnson in 1960 and joined the administration thereafter. When Nixon won his office, Liddy stayed at the White House, unlike most staffers, and eventually became a Republican and married Bob Dole. What if she had left the White House when Nixon were re-elected and remained a Democrat? Who would be an alternate political spouse for her? What would her career path look like as a Democrat?
 

sprite

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I am writing a timeline where she marries Birch Bayh. Both were advocates for the equal rights movement. Age is alright and Bayh remarried in 1979.

Bayh's first wife was close with the Kennedy women and Lady Bird. So if she dies somewhat earlier (hopefully less gruesomely than OTL) maybe they play matchmaker with Liddy.
 
Also, why does she have to marry some important politician? Some weird undertones going on here, a woman doesn't have to marry somebody to become influential.

If she remained involved with a prospective Democratic administration, she would probably see her peak as Trade Rep. or Secretary of Commerce (or leading some bureau involved with consumer rights), and could work her way into politics from there.
 
Also, why does she have to marry some important politician? Some weird undertones going on here, a woman doesn't have to marry somebody to become influential.

If she remained involved with a prospective Democratic administration, she would probably see her peak as Trade Rep. or Secretary of Commerce (or leading some bureau involved with consumer rights), and could work her way into politics from there.
I know.
 
Also, why does she have to marry some important politician? Some weird undertones going on here, a woman doesn't have to marry somebody to become influential.

I didn’t say she had to marry an important politician. I just asked for potential democratic versions of Bob Dole. I mean it’s entirely possible and likely that she still she pivots to running for Senate or Governor of North Carolina without being married to someone with name recognition.
 

sprite

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Also, why does she have to marry some important politician? Some weird undertones going on here, a woman doesn't have to marry somebody to become influential.

If she remained involved with a prospective Democratic administration, she would probably see her peak as Trade Rep. or Secretary of Commerce (or leading some bureau involved with consumer rights), and could work her way into politics from there.

She doesn't have to. However, considering that she spent a lot of time focused on her career, it's probable that she would meet her spouse at work.
 
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