What if Watergate never happened?

[hcallega]

I've done some research into this before. These are my best bets.
In regards to actual policy I believe in my gut that in the short term South Vietnam would have survived. The NVA made several probes into the South after the Paris Peace Accords to see if Nixon (during the Watergate trials) or Ford would have intervened. Since they did not, they went ahead with their offensive. Also it's unlikely that the anti-war bills would have passed if not for the left's momentum from Watergate.

I also believe that some form of universal health care legislation would have passed. The political will was their, like today, for some form of change. Kennedy and Nixon were working on a proposal that was working it's way through congress but died due to Watergate, and Ford didn't want any part of it.

In regards to candidates, I believe that Ted Kennedy would have ran and likely would have won the Democratic nomination. I also believe that John Connally would have been Nixon's choice for Vice-President after Agnew resigned, and I believe that he would be the GOP nominee with Nixon's blessing, narrowly defeating Reagan. In a Kennedy-Conally match up, I believe that Ted likely would have won. He was a better campaigner, and I believe would have won in a narrow race.

After that it's anyone's guess. I started a time line about this, but never finished. I might restart it, but it's a little difficult because it's hard to say what long term impact it would have on the elections themselves, whereas something like JFK surviving or Wallace staying on FDR's ticket is more tangible.

[hcallega]

I did a TL about this, so I've done some fairly in depth research.
Basically in the long run the left is in far better shape, as Nixon passes CHIP (most likely) which in turn sets the stage for greater health care reform down the line. But perhaps even more important for the left is that there would be no Reagan Revolution, at least not in the same sense. Maybe Reagan still becomes President, but even so it would not have been with the same conservative fervor.

As far as who become president thats anyones guess. I would say Connally, as he was Nixon's favorite and 1976 would probably be a good enough year for him to win without watergate. Then probably a Democrat in 1980, either Udall, Carey, or Kennedy if he wanted it. 1984 probably that Dem wins reelection. It gets pretty tough after that.