sam ervin, 1976

[CPT MikeyMike]

Ervin was 80 years old in 1976.  There is no way that he would have run for President.

My thought exactly.

[CPT MikeyMike]

there have been several old men run for president, like alben barkley.

But Barkley was not really though of as a serious contender because of his age.  The only candidate we have ever had to run for the first time when they were over 70 is McCain.

how old was john nance garner in 1940?

Garner was seventy two years old at that time.

But, Garner's threat was not all that serious, just like Barkley in '52.

Garner, like many others, thought he had a real good shot at the nomination until FDR's intentions were indirectly expressed.

[CPT MikeyMike]

Unfortunately for the Democrats, after nominating Ervin, here's what happens in the election.

President Geralf Ford of Michigan/Senator Bob Dole of Kansas                  473
Senator Sam Ervin of North Carolina/Senator Frank Church of Idaho           65

First of all, Ervin would not lost any Southern states.  Second of all, he would never get nominated.  He was 80 years old!  He would get killed in every primary, and even if the nomination went to the convention, he would not get any support outside of the South.

You are completely missing Walter's point.

He proposed a Sam Ervin election scenario.  He did not ask if Ervin could win any primaries or if Ervin could get nominated.  He did not ask if Ervin could get elected.

He asked what would happen if Ervin were the nominee.  Everyone knows that would have been impossible, but this is a what-if to see what would happen if he were the nominee. 

Yes, precisely because of one of the reasons you stated, that Ervin was 80 years old, and as well because Ervin would not have been a viable candidate, he would lose some southern states. 

All he would win would be the deep south states I showed on my map.  I stand by my map. 

I'd say Winfield is spot on here.