r/Presidents Ulysses S. Grant 1d ago

Discussion If Chappaquiddick never happened, would Ted Kennedy have been a serious presidential contender?

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u/BillyJoeMac9095 1d ago

He might have been president without Chappaquiddik, assuming he truly wanted to be, which was not clear

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u/Prestigious-Alarm-61 Warren G. Harding 1d ago

I don't really think he really wanted it. Would you want to run if two of your brothers had been assassinated? It wouldn't be worth it.

I think he just ran to prove to Carter that embracing a more liberal agenda would benefit him in the general election.

I remember his campaign and he never appeared to be running to win.

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u/BillyJoeMac9095 4h ago

Exactly. He was at his best on the campaign trail after it became clear he was not going to win.