Kefauver/Johnson vs. Eisenhower/Nixon, 1956

[Einzige Mk. II]

Maverick Tennessee Senator Estes Kefauver does not agree to debate Adlai Stenvenson in the run-up to the 1956 Florida Democratic Primary, and goes on to win it by a four percent margin. Following closely on the heels of an upset win by Kefauver in Minnesota, this victory propels him to another victory over Stevenson in Oregon and a narrow defeat in California. Kefauver begins to look more palatable to the Democratic party bosses, already wary of putting a proven loser like Stevenson on the ticket again. At the convention they agree to back Kefauver, but force conservative Texas Senator Lyndon Johnson on the ticket to keep Estes in line.

Can this ticket do better in the general than Stevenson did in real life?

[Mr. Taft Republican]

I think they'd win Tennesee but besides that no.

[feeblepizza]

I think they'd win Tennesee but besides that no.

They'd come closer in Texas, probably.

[#CriminalizeSobriety]

Kefauver would do a lot worse.

[Mr. Taft Republican]

I think they'd win Tennesee but besides that no.

They'd come closer in Texas, probably.

Made it close, but Eisenhower won it by over 10%, I don't think Kefauver could have won it. Not that it would make much of a difference.