1968: Strom Thurmond the Republican nominee

[darklordoftech]

How would he do against Humphrey and (if he runs) Wallace?

[morgankingsley]

Humphrey landslides, Wallace gets to be the second third party in history to get second place

[beaver2.0]

Humphrey landslides, Wallace gets to be the second third party in history to get second place

Would Wallace even run in that case?

[GeorgiaModerate]

Wallace doesn't run if Thurmond does.  Thurmond gets clobbered, but does significantly better than Wallace.  There are too many states that are so Republican they wouldn't vote for Humphrey in a two-way contest, even against someone like Thurmond.  So something like this:

Humphrey 355, Thurmond 183

[beaver2.0]

Wallace doesn't run if Thurmond does.  Thurmond gets clobbered, but does significantly better than Wallace.  There are too many states that are so Republican they wouldn't vote for Humphrey in a two-way contest, even against someone like Thurmond.  So something like this:

Humphrey 355, Thurmond 183

I don't know about that even.  Maybe I'm overestimating Humphrey but my feeling is that a borderline segregationist might alienate more Northern Republican voters.  I wonder if a splinter ticket (Mark Hatfield?) might jump in.

[darklordoftech]

Wallace doesn't run if Thurmond does.  Thurmond gets clobbered, but does significantly better than Wallace.  There are too many states that are so Republican they wouldn't vote for Humphrey in a two-way contest, even against someone like Thurmond.  So something like this:

Humphrey 355, Thurmond 183

That looks just like a "modern" map.

[Lechasseur]

I think Thurmond improves a little bit on Goldwater's 1964 performance, but he still loses in a landslide.

[TrumpBritt24]

Strom loses big.

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

Dissatisfaction with the state of the country and the war are a major challenge for Humphrey/Muskie.  Thurmond, burdened by his own past vocal support for segregation, chooses for VP the young governor of Nevada, Paul Laxalt, as a conservative who can nonetheless appeal to a broader audience.  But even though Thurmond promises not to turn back the clock on racial issues, he struggles to convince the nation he can unify and bring normalcy in a time of tumult.  Humphrey wins the election.

Humphrey/Muskie  358  55.3%             Thurmond/Laxalt   180  43.6%

[UnselfconsciousTeff]

Thurmond actually wanted to run for President in 1968 but tbh his run 20 years earlier basicaliy killed all his presidential ambition