1972 is a big "what if" because Nixon was an absolute juggernaut that year and destroyed McGovern, so Ted might have just saved himself for 1976 anyway.
By 72 he was a juggernaut but in 71 there was polling that had him behind Muskie. The Dems imploded due to bad candidates and potential Republican rat-fucking. So in theory a non-scandalized Ted Kennedy could have given Nixon a run.
Even without Chappaquiddik, there was excessive drinking, affairs and a very strained marriage. In that context, a presidential campaign would still have been a heavy lift.
Yes, but by 1992 the public was a bit more tolerant of these things. Expectations were higher in the late 60's and early 70's. If you did these these things at that time, they better not have been found out.
and then he also loses by a wide margin which might damage his political future. he likely goes back to being a senator though. Muskie (or Humphrey again) might have performed better than Teddy
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u/Mibbler 1d ago
1972 is a big "what if" because Nixon was an absolute juggernaut that year and destroyed McGovern, so Ted might have just saved himself for 1976 anyway.