u/Affectionate_Ice4678

After a divided, chaotic, and hot Democratic Convention, the party was able to united behind McGovern under a fragile coalition united by the Party’s socially conservative and economically liberal platform. However, now comes his VP and already he has pressure from the right that demands he choose a Dixiecrat and in addition to this pressure from party leaders on the same line of preserving party unity. One thing is obvious, McGovern needs a VP and whether it be a moderate or conservative something has to be done.

Mississippi Senator James Eastland:

A well known and respected figure in the Democratic Party, he’s known for being a Dixiecrat and a dove at the same time. He was extremely critical of the Vietnam war while also opposing desegregation, an odd mix. But he does have major support from the south and could easily unite the party, while also giving more comfort in the south with McGovern as the nominee. Overall a strong, unifying, and perfect choice but perhaps you don’t want someone too socially conservative?

Washington Senator Henry Jackson:

A candidate in the 1976 Democratic primaries he is great when it comes to soothing over hawks fears. But is also an outspoken conservative and openly opposes sodomy, abortion, and other social issues. He’s also become critical of civil rights groups compared to his old record of being pro civil rights in the 60s. He is economically liberal; however, and is in line with the old new deal census, he supports labor and social programs. Overall he is a great choice to appeal to the socially conservative blue collar voters, hawks, and the party establishment.

NC Senator Jesse Helms:

The most conservative Democrat possibly in the senate, he is an outspoken moralist and staunchly opposes sodomy, abortion, and even civil rights. He’s well loved in the south, and is known to rally over southern voters but also will hurt with liberals. Overall Helms is perfect if you want to carry the south and maybe even win the west but will hurt you with the youthful liberals.

(Forgot to include poll in original post, sorry y’all!)

View Poll

The Democrats finally come down to the last two candidates, Henry Jackson chose to drop out deciding to endorse no one, saying that .”McGovern is a hippie nutjob and Wallace is a segregationist tyrant”. Ultimately Wallace has managed to secure the endorsement of Robert Byrd, and many others in the Democratic machinery which provides him benefits against McGovern. This leads to the final battle between Wallace and McGovern, will the Democrats shift back to the party of the south? Or are they going to try and pivot back leftward?

View Poll

It’s now the 3rd ballot of the Democratic primary, and chaos has erupted. Conservatives and Liberals openly throw fists as they fight for their candidates. Meanwhile, as the 2nd ballot comes around something shocking happens, once the front runner has now become the nominee in last place, Lloyd Bentsen. With these major losses to his campaign he’d drop out choosing to endorse Henry Jackson, citing him as much more in tune with the American People.

In addition to this event comes the souring of George Wallace, the southern populist, now the front runner of the Democratic primary. Southerners are looking like they are going to have a hostile takeover and take control of the party, and fast.

Wallace goes on a tirade about how the Democrats need to fight for the common man, and how the Democratic party has left farmers and workers for hippies.

So far only Henry Jackson and George McGovern stand in his way, and if Wallace can win an outright majority he’ll be the nominee this year.

View Poll

Lloyd Bentsen leads as the front runner with many southern and plains delegates backing him, meanwhile Jesse Helms would underperform majorly compared to how much delegates he was expected to take.

Due to low performances and wanting to have southern control of the party Jesse Helms would drop out and endorse George Wallace, with this comes a strong Dixiecrat alliance one that could possibly win against the rest of the candidates.

However, something odd is happening a huge draft movement is taking over the party and with it a major call for McGovern as the nominee, something which eventually led to McGovern becoming a nominee choice.

This adds yet another candidate to the already divided Democratic race, what will happen now? Will the Democrats attempt to pivot left or will they continue the southern shift?

View Poll

Only one election ago the Democrats were seen as the more liberal party with RFK at the helm, boy have things changed. With the GOP deciding to put John Lindsay as their candidate the GOP was not only able to peel off liberals but now has shifted the GOP more left, and with Lindsays ousting of Kennedy came with a new soul searching in the party. Furthermore thanks to returning conservatives especially southerners the Democrats face divisions never seen before with both wings fighting for control. The Conservatives argue that with Lindsays liberalism the Democrats could peel off alienated white conservatives, meanwhile liberals argue for staying the course of Roosevelt. However, the main question asked is, what direction are the Democrats going to turn towards?

Alabama Governor George Wallace:

George Wallace is infamous in the Democratic party, serving at the helm of the dixie wing he is known for his conservative populism despite starting out as a moderate. He argues that Lindsays administration has been more for the northern immoral hippies over the common man, something which has garnered him major support in the midwest and south especially. He supports some economic liberal reforms such as raising the minimum wage and arguing for workers rights, however he is very socially conservative and supports getting rid of busing, taking tougher approaches on crime, and is against what he deems “immoral practices” such as abortion and homosexuality.

North Carolina Senator Jesse Helms:

The most infamous conservative in the democratic party as of now he is perhaps the most far right of the candidates. He supports evangelical policies such as banning abortion, restricting homosexuality rights, gutting affirmative action, ending busing, and empowering the police on crime. All of which have gained him enormous praise amongst white southern evangelicals, furthermore he supports gutting Lindsay’s social programs such as his criminal justice reform acts, and gutting his environmental acts, he also supports cutting spending and ending “handouts”. Overall he has major appeal in the south and plains and many rural areas and can especially rally white evangelicals.

Texas Senator Lloyd Bentsen:

The Texas cowboy is seen as the most popular this year, seen as an orthodox conservative he differs from the other candidates by prioritizing economic issues over social issues. He still supports tepid social conservatism and supports ending busing, and supports tepid pro life platforms. However he sees economic issues as more important emphasizing a balanced budget, cutting regulations, cutting spending, and reforming social programs such as welfare. Overall he had main appeal towards suburbanites, fiscal hawks, and mainstream conservatives.

Washington Senator Henry Jackson:

The Senator from Boeing as he’s called is making a run this year on a platform of hawkish foreign policy and moderate social policies, he has been open of his critique towards the Lindsay administration and it’s more dovish policies. He support ramping up military funding, getting more involved in foreign affairs and helping out anti communist groups. On domestic issues he is a classic New Deal Democrat, supporting some social programs such as increasing social security, and healthcare reforms. On social issues he has drifted from his old liberal roots becoming more conservative, he opposes abortion, and ending busing. Overall he seen as a strong candidate that could have major appeals towards moderates up north, old new dealers, conservatives down south, and hawks.

View Poll