WI: RFK Survives but Loses the Nomination

Let's say RFK makes it through the night of the California primary without incident and loses the Democratic Convention to Humphrey. What do you think happens to RFK's career? Personally, my sense is that the Senate doesn't interest him all that much. He's not Teddy. So does he leave for law or to teach? Or try another presidential bid?

It's also been said that with RFK alive pressure would mount on the GOP to not nominate Nixon for fear he may lose to another Kennedy (RNC is before DNC so they won't have the advantage of knowing whether or not RFK is for sure the nominee). Could Reagan wrest the nomination in '68? I find it impossible for Rockefeller to get the necessary delegates.

I've looked at other threads on this subject, none that I found focus on RFK losing and all of them are pretty old.
 
Robert K will remain active in politics, certainly in the background whatever else he does. Would Humphrey consider him as VP, & would K take that?

I'm certain he'd keep his eye on the main chance for later.
 
Maybe he wins the '76 election as people want a return to Camelot before the horrors of Vietnam. Course correcting for selecting Nixon in '68
 
Let's say RFK makes it through the night of the California primary without incident and loses the Democratic Convention to Humphrey. What do you think happens to RFK's career? Personally, my sense is that the Senate doesn't interest him all that much. He's not Teddy. So does he leave for law or to teach? Or try another presidential bid?

Giving up a Senate seat is probably not in the cards... What is he going to do other than politics that is congruent with his status as the heir of JFK?

He could run again in 1972, and would probably get the nomination - without trampling over the old Democrats. He would certainly run far better than McGovern.

At this point butterflies start to flap, because Watergate may not happen. That unsettles many things.
 
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Given the way the numbers were shaping up in 1968 it is likely he would have lost the nomination (which would probably be a good thing)

Humphrey had as many delegates as RFK and McCarthy combined, and most of the remaining delegates would be chosen by local machines under the nominal control of LBJ.

LBJ loathed Kennedy and would have done anything to stop him from winning in 1968 (including throw the general to Nixon).

So losing in 1968 would have helped RFK in the long run.

He then becomes a key opposition figure in the Nixon/Ford years and runs in 1976.

He likely wins which is probably bad since the winner in 76 was pretty much doomed from the start.

Although perhaps he holds off in 76 (since his senate seat would be up) then runs and wins in 1980 (he would have done a better job that Ted in challenging Carter)
 
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