In actual history, the Nixon White House going into 1972 was fearful of Ted Kennedy as the nominee, Edmund Muskie being the nominee and George Wallace running once again as a third party. Ted Kennedy had the Kennedy mystique, which had screwed Nixon before wand almost screwed him with Bobby Kennedy and which he was still fearful of, even with Chappaquiddick. Nixon was afraid of Edmund Muskie because he was a strong candidate. And Nixon was afraid of George Wallace because he could woe away the South and working class whites, whom Nixon relied on strongly as part of his base.
There were many dirty tricks undertaken, and many dirty tricks planned, to make sure Nixon won and his enemies would not, and would be decimated and tarred with scandal if they came close. One of these dirty tricks that was discussed was financing an African American candidate to run as an independent and steal votes from the Democrats. Candidates discussed included Jesse Jackson, Julian Bond and Shirley Chisholm.
http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19961128&slug=2362127
This plan didn't end up going anywhere beyond discussion, but what if the Nixon White House had went ahead and committed to putting that plan into action?
There were many dirty tricks undertaken, and many dirty tricks planned, to make sure Nixon won and his enemies would not, and would be decimated and tarred with scandal if they came close. One of these dirty tricks that was discussed was financing an African American candidate to run as an independent and steal votes from the Democrats. Candidates discussed included Jesse Jackson, Julian Bond and Shirley Chisholm.
http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19961128&slug=2362127
This plan didn't end up going anywhere beyond discussion, but what if the Nixon White House had went ahead and committed to putting that plan into action?