1968 Election Story For Open Participation

[gorkay]

Okay... First of all, here are the reactions to Johnson's statement and his plans on Vietnam.

Most Democrats and anti-war activists applaud him, although the more militant among them still blame him for not having taken these steps two years earlier. Moderates of both parties and independents are generally favorable, but take a wait and see attitude as to the exact logistics and timetable of the withdrawal. Most Republicans, other conservatives, and other pro-war factions excoriate him for his "surrender" and what they view as his destruction of American prestige.

The big effect that LBJ's action has on the upcoming Presidential race is to defuse Vietnam as an issue in the Democratic party and make it an issue that only the conservatives in the Republican party can use. Since none of the leading GOP candidates in the summer of '67 are right-wingers, it creates problems for them all-- especially Nixon, who was set to sell himself to the electorate as the candidate who could end the war honorably. The situation creates an opening for a more conservative candidate.
Since nearly all the opposition to LBJ in the Democratic party is based on his conduct of the war, there appears to be no more need to oppose him for the nomination, provided he decides to run again. And with his approval ratings soaring after his announcement, the Democrats begin to look favorably on him once again as a likely winner in '68.

[gorkay]

I think it's time to get some other candidates into the mix. Romney's vulnerability should encourage others besides Nixon to take the plunge, and LBJ certainly seems vulnerable on the other side. With rumors of McCarthy's imminent entry into the race swirling, RFK decides to strike while the iron is hot and beat him to the punch (pardon the cliches). He announces that he is challenging LBJ for the nomination. On the GOP side, Rockefeller and Reagan are rumored to be thinking about taking the plunge.

[gorkay]

Robert Kennedy jumps into the lead for the Democratic nomination and seems to be well on his way to a first-ballot victory when Marilyn Monroe, who in this scenario was revived from her 1962 suicide attempt and has gone on to become a respected character actress, calls a press conference to reveal that she had affairs with both RFK and his brother JFK. Although Kennedy supporters dismiss her claims as the rantings of a mentally unstable woman, RFK's stock immediately plummets. Meanwhile, on the Republican side, Nixon appears to be far in the lead for the nomination when a group of shady Cuban expatriates is caught nosing around Romney campaign headquarters late one night...
 

[gorkay]

Two days after the debate, Governor Romney makes a major speech in Roanoke, Virginia, to clarify his Mormon faith, in front of an audience of religious leaders of all faiths from all across the country who were convened in Roanoke for a conference.

"I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints", says Romney, "and for that I make no apologies.  Make no mistake, the church to which I belong is a Christian church, and our faith is centred around our Savior, Jesus Christ.  As President, my responsibility will be to the people of the United States of America.  My Church will not be making the decisions.  I, as President, will be making the decisions.  The decisions I will be making will always be in the best interests of this nation and it's people.  I am not ashamed to say that I pray twice every day to God, wherein I find strength".

The speech is received very well by the audience of religious leaders, and polls show as well the speech is received well by the nation at large.  Most of those polled believe that Romney showed courage and leadership in this speech, and respect  and support for Romney and his leadership began to show a marked rise among the public.

Meanwhile, two days after the Romney speech in Roanoke, respected Democratic Senator Stuart Symington of Missouri shocks the nation and the Democratic Party by announcing his support for George Romney for President.

Says Symington, "Governor Romney has shown honesty, courage, and leadership, and that is what this nation needs at this point in time.  He is a gifted executive, as demonstrated by his leadership of American Motors, is an outstanding government leader, having a solid record of achievement as Governor of Michigan, is the only candidate talking sense about America's place in the world, and, quite honestly, notwithstanding my Democratic loyalties, I have to say that George Romney is the man this nation needs in the White House".

Romney and his Vice Presidential running mate, Governor Nelson Rockefeller, an extremely strong campaigner, meanwhile, embark on an intense campaign blitz, barnstorming through Rockefeller's native New York state, with Rockefeller introducing Romney to ever increasingly larger and enthusiastic crowds.  Rockefeller introduces Romney to an overflow crowd at Yankee Stadium in New York City, with a speech given as well by Mayor John V. Lindsay, in support of the Romney/Rockefeller ticket.  The Romney/Rockefeller road show moves into upstate New York, to overflow crowds.

The New York campaign has a tremendous effect on the polls, with the race in New York state now showing a 10 point lead for Romney over Humphrey.  New Yorkers are warming to Romney, and besides, they like the idea of having their Governor become Vice President.

Just curious as to why Romney picked Roanoke, Virginia as the place to make his speech.

[gorkay]

It would be interesting for someone to give us some idea of how the candidates are faring in the individual states. The PV polls are good but, in such a wide-open race, it would be nice to see how the EV might be breaking down. A House election looks probable to me.

[gorkay]

The next day, Perot tries to brush off the scandal that had been taken places. However, he soon drops a bigger bombshell. He states, "As President, I will restore the sovereignity of Czechoslovakia," referring to the policy of inaction Johnson took during the Prague Spring. The meaning is widely disputed, but Czechoslovakia becomes a major campaign issue.

The Czechoslovakian-American vote immediately swings to Perot.

[gorkay]

The most fun outcome here would be a deadlocked election, with the top four candidates all getting electoral votes, and the fourth-place finisher possibly holding the balance of power (since, remember, in the House election only the top three EV finishers are eligible). And the Vice-Presidential election will go to the Senate. Could we have a brokered result that ends with one party in control of the Presidency and one in control of the Vice-Presidency?

[gorkay]

Not to nitpick, but... the presidential nominee of a party can't just dump the vice-presidential nominee and pick someone else. At the very least, it has to be ratified by a special convention, as was done with Shriver in '72.