1964 Party Nominations

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Republicans for years afterwards would credit their 1960 victory to the "Silent Plurality" of the country. While Humphrey had led in the polls consistently, it had been the "decent, middle class, working American" that had eventually gone for Ike instead of his Democratic opponent. During his second term, Eisenhower's greatest achievement would be the defeat of Fidel Castro in Cuba in spring of 1962. However, domestically, he attempted to pave a successful path between liberals and conservatives within and without his own party, and a legislative stalemate began to occur. With the 1962 mid-term elections coming up, Eisenhower wanted to prove his popular mandate and in doing so elected more candidates to his liking. In October, he made a campaign trip to Dallas, Texas in which he spoke in favor of Texas gubernatorial candidate Robert B. Anderson and met with some of Texas' conservative GOP establishment in order to smooth things over in the state party. However, while riding through the streets and heading back to the plane from which he would depart, President Eisenhower was shot three times and was later declared dead on arrival. In the short time that followed, a former marine sniper, Lee Harvey Oswald, was arrested for the crime while Margaret Chase Smith, battling tears, took the Oath of Office. In the many weeks that followed, investigations of Oswald would lead to the uncovering Oswald's communist ties. However, the alleged assassin would never make it to court due to extremely unclear conditions concerning his handling (and subsequent beating) by the police the day he was caught. Even today, conspiracies abound concerning groups ranging from the Soviet Union to Texas' far right.

Since then, President Smith has maintained popularity. In domestic politics, she had governed to the left of the centrist Eisenhower, affirming several pieces of both economic and social legislation signed by past Presidents, earning her the ire of several of the party's conservatives, including the inimitable Barry Goldwater of Arizona. Meanwhile, on foreign affairs, she has maintained a tough stance against the Soviet Union, one even more aggressive than Eisenhower. U.S. involvement in Vietnam has increased as has military spending. Among the new military funding is money for NASA and America's burgeoning space program. Since her days in the Senate, Smith has been a supporter of greater funding for space exploration and is hoping to put America on the moon before the end of the decade, and in doing so to beat the Soviets. With this reinvigorated government spending, the economy is up, and that combined with Eisenhower's death and her calm, motherly demeanor has allowed her reign to be a popular, if so far short, one.

President Smith does face a challenger, or a few, for re-nomination however. Barry Goldwater, leader of conservative Republicans, is taking her to task on economic issues, criticizing what he refers to as wasteful and unnecessary spending. Aside from this challenge, which could prove a very difficult one to beat, a litany of favorite sons and wannabe-Vice Presidents have come forward. Given Smith's age and the lack of a Vice President, they are hoping either to take advantage of the split in the party and see success at the convention, or to be picked to go on the bottom of the ticket. As well, UN Ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr. is being made a candidate whether he likes it or not thanks to a powerful draft movement.

The Democrats meanwhile are looking at a three-way brawl. Senate leader Lyndon B. Johnson represents the party establishment, a moderate stance on social issues, support for the economic status quo, and what is basically a continuation of the last few years. Senator John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts meanwhile is campaigning on tax cuts, trying to out-space President Smith, and a more careful foreign policy. The last piece of the puzzle is Alabama Governor George Wallace. Made famous by his pro-states rights stances and his opposition to greater federal involvement in state social issues, Wallace is a darling of the South and is hoping to do well in states such as Maryland and Indiana. All other candidates are favorite sons in some form or another, though a party split could give them significant leeway, if not provide a path to the nomination.

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The 1964 Republican Nomination
Despite the existence of favorite sons and wanna-be Vice Presidents, the field was easily narrowed down to two individuals. President Margaret Chase Smith and Senator Barry Goldwater were the only two that ever truly had a chance at the nomination, though the media often liked to throw around names like "Nelson Rockefeller", "George Romney" and "William Scranton". Rockefeller managed to win only West Virginia where he was the only one on the ballot, while Scranton lost narrowly in his home state of Pennsylvania to the President. Goldwater meanwhile was able to gain considerable strength against Chase in the South, West, and Mid-West while the President held the North-East and the Pacific Coast. The only state where the two met on equal footing would be California. While New Hampshire might have been such a state, Chase's New England advantage held true for her there while in California the GOP was equally split between liberals and conservatives. While the "Goldwaterites" stormed the state, funded by a number of right-wing businessmen and were by far the more enthusiastic campaign, Smith, with her "old money" funding and the endorsement of several higher-ups in the state party, was able to win with 52% to Goldwater's 47.

Blue - President Margaret Chase Smith of Maine
Red - Senator Barry M. Goldwater of Arizona
Green - Governor Nelson Rockefeller of New York
Yellow - Governor James J. Rhodes of Ohio

At the convention, held also in California, Goldwater made his last stand, having himself already accepted his fate. Nevertheless, for the sake of his supporters, he decided to stick it out for the first round of balloting. It was narrower than expected, thanks in large part to Goldwater's dedicated campaign team which had managed to take over several state parties over the last year. However, Smith got here majority. Coming in after the two main ones were a few scattered delegates for George Romney and Nelson Rockefeller. After that, Goldwater dropped out and pledged all his delegates to his party's President. He was surprised when the offer came for him to be Vice President. Goldwater was hesitant, and campaign had managed to create a deep personal divide between himself and the President. However, for the sake of his party, and in the hope that the conservative movement could live on, he accepted the nomination.

The 1964 Democratic Nomination
While it was a two-way race for the Republican nomination, for the Democrats it was a three-way one. In a contrast from four years ago, Senator Kennedy was running again, but this time with cautious warnings on America's aggressive foreign policy. Meanwhile, firebrand Southern Governor George Wallace was picking up support among his native region and in some Northern cities. It was Johnson who had the greatest geographic appeal and, with combined establishment support, was thus able to finally take the nomination. With his support for large amounts of federal funding to rural areas, he was able to win a few Western primaries. Again campaigning as the "Sun Belt" candidate in California, he won his greatest triumph there. Meanwhile, in the Mid-West he was on an equal footing with the other candidates and used his long experience in politics to take the lead. Ironically, once someone stepped back and looked at the map, they'd realize it was a very similar coalition to the one Kefauver had beat Johnson with eight years prior. Indiana was the only state where a favorite son did well, with Governor Matthew Walsh beating Wallae 60-40 in the state. Walsh had gained some publicity as the most liberal of the field.

Green - Senator Lyndon B. Johnson of Texas
Red - Governor George C. Wallace of Alabama
Blue - Senator John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts
Yellow - Governor Matthew E. Walsh of Indiana

Wanting to expand Democratic electability, Johnson of course chose Kennedy over Wallace. With this, Johnson was hoping to forge a powerful liberal coalition across all regions of the United States and make sure that none of Smith's moderation became worth a damn in the general. Wallace was nevertheless unhappy and as he stormed out of the convention, a movement of unpledged electors in numerous states began.