1972 United States Presidential Election

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Here we are dawgs. 1972. McGovern has ended the Vietnam War and has met with the Soviets in order to discuss the passage of a Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty. However, he faces domestic troubles over a recession caused by anti-inflationary policies and protests over his stance on busing. The Republican party, in a faint hearted attempt to appeal to folks outside of their typical supporters, have nominated an exact replica of McGovern, but for the fact that he may be more liberal than the sitting President. I'm not entirely sure what issues they'd disagree on, though abortion may be one, and I believe McCloskey has a very committed liberal record in regards to foreign policy, environmental, and social issues. Now comes the interesting part. George Wallace is again running a third party campaign for President, and the Universal Party has returned for a second go. The Libertarian party, headed by writer John Hospers, is itself making its debut on the national stage in this election as well. It's your choice, dawgs.

Democratic Primaries

Red - President George S. McGovern of South Dakota
Yellow - Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm of New York
Blue - Senator Hubert H. Humphrey of Minnesota
Green - Governor George C. Wallace of Alabama

Republican Primaries

Green - Congressman Paul N. "Pete" McCloskey of California
Blue - Congressman John Ashbrook of Ohio

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Actually, McCloskey and McGovern are both pro-choice.

I recall reading something that would indicate McGovern was a bit more conflicted on the issue, and I believe TNF made a reference to him having a "states rights position". When I wrote that, it was meant to state that McCloskey was to McGovern's left on abortion.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Wow, this election doesn't seem to attract nearly as many people.

Is the RL decline in turnout that started in the 1970s taking effect in this TL too?

Well I do keep forgetting to put this one in my signature. (can't do it now, posting from my iPod).

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

I am finally available to get to this from my own computer. Been out of the house late for the last few nights. Obviously, McCloskey McGovern has won. As for his Vice Presidential choice, I apologize. I was so bogged down by all the tiresome McGovern posts in the primaries thread that I was like "Well, there's no frickin' McCloskey voters posting except Oldiesfreak, and a McCloskey/Nixon ticket wouldn't work!" So, thinking myself bereft of votes for McCloskey's VP, I went with the real life nominee.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

I am finally available to get to this from my own computer. Been out of the house late for the last few nights. Obviously, McCloskey has won. As for his Vice Presidential choice, I apologize. I was so bogged down by all the tiresome McGovern posts in the primaries thread that I was like "Well, there's no frickin' McCloskey voters posting except Oldiesfreak, and a McCloskey/Nixon ticket wouldn't work!" So, thinking myself bereft of votes for McCloskey's VP, I went with the real life nominee.

There's Cath for ya, always biased against heroes of the left . And I think history will remember McCloskey's picking Agnew, a relative political neophyte who was later revealed to have taken over $100,000 in bribes as Governor of Maryland, for VP as one of the dumbest moves in political history.

Yes, the bribes certainly heavily damaged the McCloskey campaign, to the point of him nearly being dropped from the ticket (maybe him being actually dropped? Eh, will be decided when the map is finally issued). This, combined with a general lack of Republican enthusiasm, were principal factors in McCloskey's landslide defeat.

And yeah, I messed up on that McCloskey/McGovern thing.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

The 1972 United States Presidential Election
Despite troubles in his first term, the competence that McGovern displayed, the peace that he brought, and the faith the American people had in the President to see them through the rough patch paid off. With great personal popularity and an easy renomination by his own party, he easily outpaced his main candidate, Pete McCloskey, who had been elected in a low key, low turnout primary. While McCloskey tried to win over moderates and liberals, these people stuck to the sitting President. Meanwhile, many conservatives jumped ship to George Wallace's campaign, the libertarian candidate John Hospers won surprising support, and the Universal Party was able to see some success. The election, which was a McGovern landslide both in the popular and electoral vote, would be referred to as the national and historical low point of conservatism not seen since the heyday of the Socialist Party.

President George S. McGovern (Democrat-South Dakota)/Vice President Wayne Morse (Democrat-Oregon) 497 electoral votes, 60% of the popular vote
Governor George Wallace (American-Alabama)/Attorney Richard B. Kay (American-Ohio) 36 electoral votes, 9.1% of the popular vote
Congressman Paul N. "Pete" McCloskey (Republican-California)/Governor Spiro T. Agnew (Republican-Maryland)   4 electoral votes, 18.2% of the popular vote
Mr. John Hospers (Libertarian-California)/Ms. Theodora Nathan (Libertarian-Oregon) 1 electoral vote [Faithless Elector] 5.5% of the popular vote
Mr. Gabriel Green (Universal-Iowa)/Mr. Daniel William Fry (Universal-New Mexico) 0 electoral votes, 7.3% of the popular vote