Did Nixon pick the right VP in '68?

[qwerty]

This was Nixon's "final list" for Vice-President in 1968... whou should he have picked?

[The Duke]

Ford, Bush, and Rockefeller all could have brought a state with them.  Ford brings michigan (which Nixon lost by 7), Rockefeller brings New York (which Nixon lost by 5), and Bush brings Texas (which Nixon lost by 2).

I voted Rockefeller, because he was elected statewide, increasing the liklihood he delivers that state, and is from a larger state which means more EVs for Nixon.

[qwerty]

I don't know that Bush would have helped in Texas. He lost two statewide races there.

[The Duke]

He lost two statewide races in a Democratic state, but he would only have to deliver 2% of the electorate in this case to put Nixon over Humphrey.

[Lunar]

I voted Rockefeller, because he was elected statewide, increasing the liklihood he delivers that state, and is from a larger state which means more EVs for Nixon.

Choosing a Texan could help shore up the South though, which was getting dangerous with Wallace.  Perhaps Bush could have won him Arkansas or helped him hold onto SC, NC, and TN.

Texas was also lost by fewer votes, but New York, worth 43 at the time, was almost twice as much.  With the fact about the statewide part that you pointed out, it becomes a close race between the two.

[JohnFKennedy]

Rockefeller.

[??????????]

Nixon should have picked Wallace.

[PBrunsel]

Gerald Ford was almost sure he would be the pick in 1968. You can tell he was surprised when he was not chosen.

[Schmitz in 1972]

How could Nixon have picked Nelson A Rockefeller given both of their homestates were New York?

[The Duke]

How could Nixon have picked Nelson A Rockefeller given both of their homestates were New York?

Nixon could change to California, where he was actually from, just like Cheney did to Wyoming in 2000.

[PBrunsel]

With Nixon from New York in 1968, Reagan could have been a great choice for Vice President.

[Keystone Phil]

With Nixon from New York in 1968, Reagan could have been a great choice for Vice President.

I was going to suggest that, too. But I think some of the Nixon people would think Reagan would overshadown Nixon.

[??????????]

Nixon told Reagan, "Son, you are going to make a fine president someday but it is not your time yet." Reagan replied, "I'm two years older then you, son."

[The Duke]

Reagan was too good for the Nixon admin.  He'd have never been able to work with a limey, price controlling, hotel robbing, big spending, detente-er like Nixon.

[??????????]

Reagan was too good for the Nixon admin.  He'd have never been able to work with a limey, price controlling, hotel robbing, big spending, detente-er like Nixon.

Maybe Nixon was to good for Reagan? hmm

[The Duke]

Reagan was too good for the Nixon admin.  He'd have never been able to work with a limey, price controlling, hotel robbing, big spending, detente-er like Nixon.

I didn't hear about the hotel robbing. What's up with that?

Watergate.  Not a perfect description but more catchy than hotel-breaker-intoer-and-enterer.

[??????????]

Reagan was too good for the Nixon admin.  He'd have never been able to work with a limey, price controlling, hotel robbing, big spending, detente-er like Nixon.

I didn't hear about the hotel robbing. What's up with that?

Watergate.  Not a perfect description but more catchy than hotel-breaker-intoer-and-enterer.

Well, again, if you believe he had anything to do with it.

[PBrunsel]

Richard Nixon went to visit hippies that were camping out by the Lincoln Memorial on June 4, 1971.

He went to speak with them and he had a small conversation about football, fishing, and some other small talk. Then he left, and most of the young protesters agreed that they liked Richard Nixon. One young man (wearing a T-Shirt with Karl Marx on it) ran up to Nixon as the President was getting in his car and gave hi  the middle finger. Then Richard Nixon gave it to him. "Ha!" he said as they drove away, "That boy can go around the rest of his life saying the President of the United States gave him the middle finger and no one will believe him!"

[Michael Z]

So far no-one's picked Agnew...

[themadmac]

What's interesting about this list is that it is virtually identical to the list Nixon considered in October 1973, after Agnew resigned.

G.H.W. Bush was reportedly Nixon's first choice, but felt he'd have a hard time being confirmed due to some minor scandal that Bush had been implicated (but later exonerated) in.  So he went with Ford.  And the rest, as they say, is history...

[PBrunsel]

Nixon's choices for VP after Agnew left were:

1. George H.W. Bush

2. John Connaly

3. Ronald Reagan

4. Gerald Ford

5. Jack Kemp

Only Ford would be agreed on by Congress, so he got the job.

[qwerty]

Rockefeller was Nixon's choice, but he would not be confirmed by congress because they knew he would end up becoming President when Nixon resigned.

In fact, Nixon suggested to Ford that he appoint Rockefeller on August 8 when he informed him of his decision to resign.

[PBrunsel]

Rockefeller was Nixon's choice, but he would not be confirmed by congress because they knew he would end up becoming President when Nixon resigned.

In fact, Nixon suggested to Ford that he appoint Rockefeller on August 8 when he informed him of his decision to resign.

I forgot about Rockefeller. He was the first choice. I got the rest though.

[qwerty]

George Bush and Nelson Rockefeller were the only two Ford considered appointing to replace himself as Vice-President.

[PBrunsel]

George Bush and Nelson Rockefeller were the only two Ford considered appointing to replace himself as Vice-President.

John Connaly told Ford he would not consider being his VP.