1960 Republican Vice Presidential Choice

[Dr. Cynic]

Well, if JFK had been stopped, the logical choice would be Stu Symington, who was rather colorless, but deeply respected. Stevenson would've made a great President, but his timing in 1952 and 1956 was just bad. Symington with the nod, he would've wanted someone with a bit more charisma... The logical choice would've been Kennedy, as Symington was from Missouri, he wouldn't need a southerner (LBJ) or a fellow midwesterner (HHH). A Northeastern running mate would balance the ticket.

In the general, I can see Symington winning out of his true integrity compared to Nixon's. Both men weren't really charismatic, so it would boil down to trust. The public would trust Symington over Nixon, in my opinion.

[Dr. Cynic]

I dunno... It was just my gut reaction. When JFK said Symington was "Too Similar", he was thinking of views. Symington was not really a conservative, but a moderate. Their views on many vital issues mirrored one another. That would be my best guess to that one.

A good choice for Nixon would've been Nelson Rockefeller or Bill Scranton.

I think either of those running mates might've helped Nixon, and if he had, then Symington would need JFK in the Northeast. LBJ wouldn't have been a good balance for Symington at all.

[Dr. Cynic]

But LBJ wasn't charismatic... He had a style, but it wasn't really charisma. I think if Nixon chose a more well known northern running mate, then the North would be in danger of being lost... I think Symington would've been strong enough to hold the South.

I think Rockefeller would've been Nixon's best option, getting along notwithstanding. Dirksen would've been the next best choice. Other than that, there really was no one, I agree.