WI: Robert Kennedy Injured in 1968

Robert Kennedy did not instantly die when shot by Sirhan Sirhan. It was not even like John Kennedy, where he lived for a bit longer but it was obvious he was going to die. There may have been a chance that he lived.

That does bring to mind George Wallace who, roughly 4 years later, was shot several times at close range by an assassin. Wallace lived. However, he also lived with the long term health ramifications of that attempt; obviously he was paralyzed, but he also lived every day in very real pain because of his injuries. It also ended Wallace's race for the presidency in 1972.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assassination_of_Robert_F._Kennedy#cite_note-32 Kennedy had been shot three times. One bullet, fired at a range of about 1 inch (2.5 cm), entered behind his right ear, dispersing fragments throughout his brain.[33] The other two entered at the rear of his right armpit; one exited from his chest and the other lodged in the back of his neck.

What would happen if Robert Kennedy were shot all the same, but survived? Assuming he is equally injured, what would be the health ramifications of that? And if those OTL injuries would be too terrible, what if he was not as badly injured but shot all the same? What would be the political ramifications of that for 1968 and later?
 

shiftygiant

Gone Fishin'
What would happen if Robert Kennedy were shot all the same, but survived? Assuming he is equally injured, what would be the health ramifications of that?

Well if he still has the same injuries, like Wallace he's out. Brain damage for starters, possibly paralyzed, the bullet that went through his chest would have pretty much ruined whatever it hit. He'd be comatose or wheelchair bound for the rest of his natural life.
 
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