Are there any black figures who could've run and won the Presidency pre-1980?

[DevotedDemocrat]

I remember reading that about 67% of respondents said in a poll in the late 1960s that they would vote for a qualified African American to the Presidency. Could such a man have been nominated and elected pre 1980?

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

Pretty much any black with the necessary gravitas and political ability to become President pre-1980 would have had too much controversy attached to his name from his struggles for civil rights to have become president.

About the only way for a black to become president would have been for Agnew's scandal to have broken earlier so that Nixon had to pick a replacement running mate and he happened to choose Edward Brooke,  I'm doubtful that Nxon would pivot to the left like that, but it is conceivable, and truly the only way for a black to become President pre-1980 would be for him to have been elected Veep and then succeed to the office when his running mate dies or resigns.

[Mechaman]

I remember reading that about 67% of respondents said in a poll in the late 1960s that they would vote for a qualified African American to the Presidency. Could such a man have been nominated and elected pre 1980?

67% no longer considered it to be a factor in voting for a presidential cadidate.

So really, said black canddiate would have to win somewhere in the neighborhood of 70%-80% of those 67%.  A pretty dang heavy task to say the least.

Really doubtful either party could've done it.  If Black Republican ran the white Democratic vote of the time would show up in large numbers in opposition of what they would consider a continuation of "benign neglect" aimed at forcing them to integrate with blacks.  If a Black Democrat the likely white Republican would portray him (or her if Shirley Chisholm runs) as a "radical liberal" on the the lines of George McGovern.  And they would likely lose on the same level.

Due to the fears of white privileged America, neither of these have a chance.  Black Republican would at least win a few feel good WASP states, because he scares them the least, but comes nowhere near the 270 EV mark.

This is probably the only post I'll ever make that Oldiesfreak likes.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

So really, said black candidate would have to win somewhere in the neighborhood of 70%-80% of those 67%.  A pretty dang heavy task to say the least.

Not quite as heavy if the 67% were concentrated among one party.  Plus there is the reverse -ism effect of being able to say that you voted for the first Catholic, first black, or first woman for President that would help attract some votes among otherwise neutral independents.

However, what does it make it heavy is not all of those 67% were telling the truth.  Quite a few would have been lying, either to themselves or to the pollster because while they still harbored prejudices, it wouldn't be nice to admit it.  It's the same effect that has had support for gay marriage in referenda consistently poll better than the actual votes.