Goldwater VS McGovern

[Lincoln Republican]

1964

McGovern        344
Goldwater       194

McGovern benefits greatly from the Kennedy legacy or at least the perceived Kennedy legacy, and by a desire in the nation to carry on to some extent with the Kennedy agenda.

[Lincoln Republican]

1968

Goldwater          535
McGovern               3

Four years of President McGovern were, without a doubt, the most incompetent, amateurish, blundering, fumbling, directionless, most morally bankrupt Presidency in the history of the United States.  The nation was mired in debt, the social programs were broke, taxes were at an all time high, morale in the military, what was left of it, was at an all time low, the nation was being run by incompetent liberals appointed for their radical views and because they fit a "quota" McGovern wanted to achieve, rather than for any qualifications to do the job.

In the rematch in 1968 between Senator Goldwater and President McGovern, Goldwater wins all 50 states, McGovern wins DC.

The popular vote breaks down 70% Goldwater 25% McGovern, 5% others.

[Lincoln Republican]

If the election is the 1964 election, I believe it would have been very difficult for any Republican to win, as there was a desire in the country to continue on with the work that Kennedy had begun.

There was a huge "sympathy" vote that the Democrats tapped into in 1964 as well.

I agree, McGovern would be a terrible candidate, but circumstances in 1964 were far different than they were in 1972 when he actually ran for President.