In this installment, we’ll delve into the 1972 election, where Richard Nixon sought re-election. Although his campaign started strong, it soon encountered significant challenges, not least of which was a little problem called “Watergate.”
The Nixon Administration
Following the chaotic 1968 election, Richard Nixon became the 37th President of the United States. He embarked on ambitious plans to reshape the country while navigating complex international conflicts involving the Soviet Union, China, and Vietnam.
On the international front, Nixon approved CIA interventions in Latin America, leading to the overthrow of Chile’s democratically elected government. However, he also managed to ease tensions with the Soviet Union through negotiations and made historic strides by sending his National Security Advisor, Henry Kissinger, to China, paving the way for Nixon’s groundbreaking visit and a thaw in U.S.-China relations.
In Vietnam, Nixon’s secret plan to end the war, as he had promised in 1968, turned out to be a strategy for escalation. The war expanded into Cambodia and Laos, and dangerous chemicals were dropped on North Vietnam. These actions fueled widespread opposition among Americans, particularly within the anti-war movement, culminating in the tragic Kent State shootings on May 4, 1970, where four students were killed by the National Guard during a protest.
Despite the continuation of the bombings, Nixon began the process of withdrawing American soldiers from Vietnam. His successes in easing tensions with the Soviet Union, opening relations with China, creating the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and taking the U.S. off the Gold Standard bolstered his approval rating to around 60%. This momentum allowed him to secure his party’s re-nomination without significant opposition.
The Race for the Democratic Nomination
As the 1970s began, the Democratic Party was in disarray. Despite controlling both the House and Senate, their chances of reclaiming the White House were slim. Nevertheless, 15 Democrats threw their hats into the ring, hoping to win the nomination.
Some of the key contenders included:
- Eugene McCarthy: Former Senator from Minnesota
- Shirley Chisholm: U.S. Representative from New York
- Hubert Humphrey: Former Vice President
- George McGovern: Senator from South Dakota
- Patsy Mink: U.S. Representative from Hawaii
- George Wallace: Governor of Alabama
- Edmund Muskie: Senator from Maine and Humphrey’s running mate in 1968
Initially, many Democrats hoped that Ted Kennedy, the younger brother of John and Robert Kennedy and Senate Majority Whip from Massachusetts, would run. However, Kennedy declined, likely due to the infamous Chappaquiddick incident a few years earlier.
Edmund Muskie emerged as the frontrunner, even drawing attention from the Nixon administration, which allegedly forged a letter damaging Muskie’s reputation. The so-called “Canuck Letter” questioned Muskie’s understanding of African American issues and included a derogatory comment about Canadians, which hurt Muskie in the primaries. His tearful response during a snowstorm, whether due to emotion or snowflakes, further tarnished his image.
As the primaries progressed, candidates like McCarthy, Mink, and Chisholm dropped out, while George Wallace was literally and figuratively gunned down when he was shot and paralyzed by Arthur Bremer. Ultimately, the race came down to Humphrey and McGovern. But with new rules requiring primary wins to secure the nomination, McGovern had the advantage and eventually clinched the Democratic nomination.
McGovern’s Troubled Campaign
McGovern’s grassroots, anti-war support grew since the 1968 election, and the new primary rules favored him. However, his campaign quickly encountered trouble. At the Democratic National Convention, McGovern struggled to find a running mate after Ted Kennedy declined. After several failed attempts, he selected Senator Thomas Eagleton of Missouri. Unfortunately, news soon broke that Eagleton had undergone electroshock therapy for depression, forcing McGovern to drop him from the ticket, despite initially declaring his full support. The chaotic search for a replacement and the eventual selection of Sargent Shriver damaged McGovern’s campaign, sending his poll numbers plummeting for the Election of 1972.
The Watergate Break-In
While McGovern’s campaign floundered, the Nixon administration faced a growing scandal. In 1971, the release of the Pentagon Papers by Daniel Ellsberg revealed government deception regarding the Vietnam War. Nixon’s attempts to suppress the publication failed when the Supreme Court sided with the New York Times.
Then, on June 17, 1972, five men were caught breaking into the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate complex. The burglars were linked to the Committee for the Re-Election of the President (CRP, or “CREEP”), raising serious questions about Nixon’s involvement. However, the media initially paid little attention to the incident, allowing Nixon to continue his campaign largely unscathed.
The Campaigns & October Surprise
Despite the Watergate scandal and continued Vietnam bombings, Nixon led in the polls. McGovern’s campaign was hindered by his liberal policies, including promises to withdraw all U.S. troops from Vietnam in 90 days, implement a guaranteed minimum income, and provide every American with a $1,000 payment. Establishment Democrats, unhappy with McGovern’s rule changes, launched attack ads labeling him as an extremist and a flip-flopper.
The final blow came on October 26, 1972, when Henry Kissinger announced that “Peace is at hand,” suggesting an imminent end to the Vietnam War. This announcement further solidified Nixon’s lead.
Election of 1972 Results
On November 7, 1972, Richard Nixon won re-election in a landslide, securing 520 electoral votes and 60.7% of the popular vote—about 18 million more votes than McGovern. McGovern won only 17 electoral votes from the District of Columbia and Massachusetts, making his performance the worst for a Democratic nominee since 1924.
Interestingly, a faithless elector in Virginia cast a vote for Libertarian candidate John Hospers, marking the last time a third-party candidate won an electoral vote.
Nixon’s victory made him the second of three presidents to be re-elected with over 500 electoral votes and the first former Vice President to win a second term since Thomas Jefferson in 1804. However, the Watergate scandal would soon unravel his presidency, leading to a dramatic downfall before the next election.
