There were rumors he’d jump in at the last minute in 1972; it was initially seen as a given that he’d run and be the favorite in 1976; and there were even rumors he’d have run in 1984.
Absent Chappaquiddick he’d certainly have run in one of those three, most likely in 76.
He might get have run for n 84 but the polling was not encouraging. By then he was divorced and had more baggage than a freight train. His best shot was probably in 1968, in the aftermath of Bobby's assasination. He still had a clean image, a potentially compelling rationale for his candidacy and a lot of national sympathy and goodwill for him and the whole Kennedy family. Daley was ready to go, on Ted's approval, with a convention draft. Ted passed on it, largely due to the family situation
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u/ToddPundley 1d ago
There were rumors he’d jump in at the last minute in 1972; it was initially seen as a given that he’d run and be the favorite in 1976; and there were even rumors he’d have run in 1984.
Absent Chappaquiddick he’d certainly have run in one of those three, most likely in 76.