When did Democrats lost the Humphrey-Nixon voters?

[TransfemmeGoreVidal]

The 72 convention being such a sh**tshow?

[darklordoftech]

When McGovern won the Democratic nomination.

[Agonized-Statism]

A lot of them were Northern union workers who turned on student demonstrators over their opposition to the Vietnam War and anti-communism in general, manifesting as the Hard Hat Riot of 1970 ("how dare they oppose the expansion of this devestating war into neutral Cambodia! Capitalist rubber stamp Friend of the workers George Meany says we should go beat up those peaceful protesters"). Maybe a good chunk of Southerners voted this way, but I wonder how much of that was a mirage caused by Wallace-Nixon voters.

Fun fact about the Hard Hat Riot: the construction workers involved were actually building the World Trade Center, famous for another historical event.

[TransfemmeGoreVidal]

A lot of them were Northern union workers who turned on student demonstrators over their opposition to the Vietnam War and anti-communism in general, manifesting as the Hard Hat Riot of 1970 ("how dare they oppose the expansion of this devestating war into neutral Cambodia! Capitalist rubber stamp Friend of the workers George Meany says we should go beat up those peaceful protesters"). Maybe a good chunk of Southerners voted this way, but I wonder how much of that was a mirage caused by Wallace-Nixon voters.

Fun fact about the Hard Hat Riot: the construction workers involved were actually building the World Trade Center, famous for another historical event.

Another fun fact: Johnny Ramone (a lifelong conservative and hippie hater) worked construction before starting The Ramones and was likely among them.

[BushKerry04]

This is an excellent question, and I think I have a few reasons for this:

1. Nixon meddled in the Democratic primary. I think he would have lost to Humphrey or Muskie. Inflation was high, the war was unpopular, and the country was divided. I think McGovern's liberalism and how he was portrayed by the GOP made him an impossible sell to voters over 40.

2. I also suspect some southern voters felt betrayed by Democrats following civil rights, which helped Nixon win over Wallace '68 voters. Take Arkansas for example. In 1968, Wallace beat Nixon in the state 38%-31%. In 1972, Nixon won 68% of the vote there.

3. Nixon's law & order message resonated with voters across the country. Not only white people in suburbs but people of all backgrounds in urban settings as well. For example, take Philadelphia. McGovern won there, but Nixon's won 44% of the vote, up from 29% in 1968.