The tenure of President John Connally has been one of climbing stability and the gradual betterment of the nation's standing. Entrusted the Presidency following the end of Nixon's second term, Connally has towed the Nixon line faithfully so far, and is expected to win his last election handily, citing the rising economy, diplomatic success and personal popularity.
The Democratic field has been demoralized and dealt a critical blow following Udall's landslide loss in 1976. Due to a lack of viable, younger contenders for the nomination, the field is very empty and up for grabs by anyone really, but who would want to run now? They're guaranteed to lose!
Well... one familiar face has risen to the occasion to throw their hat in the ring one last time to give it his all.
For 4 long years, John Bowden Connally has been president, and for 4 long years, Hubert Horatio Humphrey has opposed him every step of the way.
Born in his father's pharmacy in a small South Dakotan town, Humphrey was not a likely candidate for any type of politics. Colorblind, and with a bout of various medical problems, currently including a cancer in remission following successful surgery in 1976. Humphrey had to claw his way into the glory of politics, from mayor, to senator, to majority leader, all culminating in his anointing as the nation's Vice President by Johnson. But those days when Humphrey was a young, energetic liberal are all over.
The 69 year old Humphrey starts off in a tough spot. With a weakened and tired party behind him, a strong incumbency touting an improving economy and domestic achievements, and the personal popularity of Nixon and Connally, all working against him. Humphrey will need to put in the lord's work to make the election competitive. But by god, he's gonna make it that way, and prove that he is electorally viable, but more importantly, to end the Nixonian incumbency.
You've been down this path before, Hubert. You know it's twists and turns, and you know what you must do to defeat your adversaries. Go with the flow, and it will all come soon enough.
Reubin O'Donovan Askew is an interesting case, a bona-fide progressive being elected in a state as southern as Florida? It's more likely than you think.
Reubin Askew seems like he was hand-picked by god himself to be molded as running mate for Humphrey. Respectable civil rights record, liberal economic views, youthful appearance and a good geographic balance, along with not being a full unvarnished liberal either, holding some conservative positions on gay rights, abortion and arms control.
While Askew would help lock down your base, he would struggle in expanding it, as his conservative stances would push away many in New England. While, he would theoretically improve your margins across the south, and specifically in Florida, your record would most likely prevent any such thing from occuring, unless you really committ to more conservative positions. His gubernatorial term also just ended last year, He's opportunistic, and isn't the best at running his campaigns.
The journey ahead will be long, hard and painful, but Reubin has the guts to help you get through it.","color_hex":"#0000ff","secondary_color_hex":null,"is_active":0,"image_url":"https://i.imgur.com/1PtJTk7.png","electoral_victory_message":"
Reubin O'Donovan Askew is an interesting case, a bona-fide progressive being elected in a state as southern as Florida? It's more likely than you think.
Reubin Askew seems like he was hand-picked by god himself to be molded as running mate for Humphrey. Sterling civil rights record, economic progressiveness, youthful apparatus and a good geographic balance, along with not being a full unvarnished liberal either, holding some conservative positions on gay rights, abortion and arms control.
While Askew would help lock down your base, he wouldn't help at all in expanding it, and his conservative stances would push away many in New England. While, he would theoretically improve your margins across the south, and specifically in Florida, your record would most likely prevent any such thing from occuring. His gubernatorial term also just ended last year, so take that as you will. He's also a bit of an opportunist, and isn't the best at running his campaigns.
The journey ahead will be long, hard and painful, but Reubin has the guts to help you get through it.","candidate_score":1,"running_mate":true,"scrollable":false,"partner":"0"}},{"model":"campaign_trail.candidate","pk":1003,"fields":{"first_name":"Michael","last_name":"Dukakis","election":10,"party":"Democratic","state":"Massachusetts","priority":1,"description":"
Michael Stanley Dukakis represents the stereotype of the idealistic, New England liberal, but perhaps that just what you need to clinch it this election?
Michael Dukakis is an unusual choice for the vice-presidency, born to Greek parents, he then served in the Korean War in an intelligence unit. Dukakis represents the base of voters that you need to bring back to your side this election, this decade has changed you, Hubert, and the people see that, Dukakis would do a lot to invoke memories of you in 1948. Dukakis does hold a lot of your own, current views though, so that's a plus.
Dukakis does come with some baggage, however. His liberalism might be a bit of a turnoff for some more moderate minded voters, and his support for abortion will turn away swaths of conservatives. Dukakis's personality is also a bit unusual, being very stoic, gaffe-prone and frankly, a monotone individual. His gubernatorial term also ended just last year, so take that as you will.
Reconnecting with the people who gave you so much in 68 will be key this election. Don't let them down, Hubert.","color_hex":"#0000ff","secondary_color_hex":null,"is_active":0,"image_url":"https://i.imgur.com/xS73UOM.png","electoral_victory_message":"
Michael Stanley Dukakis represents the stereotype of the idealistic, New England liberal, but perhaps that just what you need to clinch it this election?
Michael Dukakis is an unusual choice for the vice-presidency, born to Greek parents, he then served in the Korean War in an intelligence unit. Dukakis represents the base of voters that you need to bring back to your side this election, this decade has changed you, Hubert, and the people see that, Dukakis would do a lot to invoke memories of you in 1948. Dukakis does hold a lot of your own, current views though, so that's a plus.
Dukakis does come with some baggage, however. His liberalism might be a bit of a turnoff for some more moderate minded voters, and his support for abortion will turn away swaths of conservatives. Dukakis's personality is also a bit unusual, being very stoic, gaffe-prone and frankly, a monotone individual. His gubernatorial term also ended just last year, so take that as you will.
Reconnecting with the people who gave you so much in 68 will be key this election. Don't let them down, Hubert.","candidate_score":1,"running_mate":true,"scrollable":false,"partner":"0"}},{"model":"campaign_trail.candidate","pk":92,"fields":{"first_name":"John","last_name":"Connally","election":10,"party":"Republican","state":"Texas","priority":1,"description":"
John Connally has moderate rapport with strong credentials, and seems to be up to the task of uniting his party. George Bush is his VP.","color_hex":"#7c1816","secondary_color_hex":null,"is_active":0,"image_url":"https://i.imgur.com/JWaOAF6.png",}},{"model":"campaign_trail.candidate","pk":94,"fields":{"first_name":"Ed","last_name":"Clark/Others","election":10,"party":"Libertarian","state":"Massachusetts","priority":1,"description":"
We don't like the government, per say...","color_hex":"#c9a736","secondary_color_hex":null,"is_active":0,"image_url":"https://i.imgur.com/0TQ2hEm.png",}},{"model":"campaign_trail.candidate","pk":93,"fields":{"first_name":"Gus","last_name":"Hall","election":10,"party":"Communist","state":"Minnesota","priority":1,"description":"
Anyone paying attention sees this election for what it is, a disgraceful sham.","color_hex":"#ab3e72","secondary_color_hex":null,"is_active":0,"image_url":"https://i.imgur.com/tBfM0ZT.png","electoral_victory_message":"