Dude, Nixon was a 41-years old freshman Senator. He was already an unconventional VP pick and there's no way he could be a contended in 1952.
Not even. He was 39 when sworn in as VP.
Dewey or Henry Cabot Lodge are the most obvious “liberal internationalist” picks, though perhaps I underestimate Warren.
For some reason I thought he was born in 1911 not 1913.
As of Lodge, when he pressed Eisenhower to run, the general asked him "why won't you run? You have experience, recognition?", to which Lodge replied "because there's no way I could win a presidential election", adding his desire to seek reelection as Senator. Ironically, due to being busy with helping Ike, he screwed his own bid.
Dewey's biggest problem was, of course, losing two elections in the row, including one (1948) was was thought to be a sure winner. Even though, Ike still considered asking Dewey to run again, with his full support, had he decided to retire in 1956.
I guess it leaves Warren, who would have to aspire to something more than "California favorite son" candidate. The "moderate-internationalist" bench was not that big, as it would seem.
