What If: Nixon/Rockefeller vs. Kennedy/Johnson 1960

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Not sure. I like both Nixon and Kennedy, and Rockefeller makes me a little less inclined to support Nixon, but hey, he can't be worse than LBJ.

Nixon victory probably. Not sure how Illinois owuld fall.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

First off, I would object to the idea that LBJ only passed the CRA's because of public opinion. The impression I always got was that he had kept his views quiet in Texas, but viewed his massive power as President as the only chance he hadh to do what he felt was necessary.

On the other hand, Eisenhower was actually worried about Nixon's "liberalism" on Civil Rights. Though both were pro-Civil Rights in the 1960 election, JFK was actually anti-Civil Rights in the Senate and was considered as a possible "States Rights" candidate for VP. It was only around early 1963 in the face of massive Civil Rights protests that JFK seemed to "get it" and planned on passing a CRA. Not to say Nixon wasn't racist, but I can see some version of Civil Rights being passed during an early 60's presidency.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Not sure. I like both Nixon and Kennedy, and Rockefeller makes me a little less inclined to support Nixon, but hey, he can't be worse than LBJ.

Nixon victory probably. Not sure how Illinois would fall.

So Rockefeller isn't worse than LBJ?!  At least we had hopes of winning seats in congress in 66 with a democrat in control

We probably would've seen a much more effective foreign policy and maybe pressure to actually handle the growing deficit. Wasn't the nuclear testing ban passed during the Kennedy years?

The one advantage I see to Johnson over Rocky is his background. I hear he has some pretty funny quotes.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

First, there was NO WAY that Nelson Rockefeller would accept the V.P. candidacy on a Nixon ticket. Nixon even prevailed upon Eisenhower to ask Rocky to take be the VP slot (Ike refused).  I am one that believes that, great campaigner that he was,  Rockefeller would not have been able to swing New York to Nixon and the Republican ticket would have lost. Also, he would have undermined Nixon's "common man" appeal vs Kennedy as the name "Rockefeller" is synonymous with great wealth, even eclipsing that of "Kennedy" who was not as well known at the time.  As for Henry Cabot Lodge, the less said the better.

Only a candidate with strong ties to the Midwest, running a regional campaign akin to LBJ's, could have tipped two or three of the crucial states; Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota and/or Missouri to the Nixon column and given him the victory in 1960.  Everett Dirksen, anyone?

Dirksen would've been a great choice in my opinion. Moderate to conservative, pro-civil rights, and hawkish.