U.S. presidential election, 1968

The U.S. presidential election of 1968 was a wrenching national experience, and included the assassination of liberal Democratic candidate Robert F. Kennedy, the violence at the 1968 Democratic National Convention, as well as widespread demonstrations against the Vietnam War across American university and college campuses. In the end, and ironically given the Watergate break-in four years later, Richard M. Nixon would win the election on a campaign of "law and order". It is sometimes considered to be a realigning election.

General election

Campaign

Nixon campaigned on a "law and order" theme, which appealed to many voters afraid of the far left and concerned about the riots and demonstrations that had accompanied the Civil Rights movement and the anti-war movement. He had devised a "southern strategy," which was designed to appeal to the southern voters, who traditionally voted Democratic.

Related Topics:
Riot - Demonstration - Civil Rights - Southern strategy

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Humphrey campaigned on continuing the Great Society programs initiated by President Johnson.

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In the end, the war became the central issue of the campaign, with the Democrats divided and Humphrey hounded by anti-war protesters whenever he made public appearances. Late in the campaign Humphrey, who seemed destined to lose by a large margin, began to distance himself from the Johnson administration on the Vietnam War, calling for a bombing halt. He began to gain momentum, especially when President Johnson actually announced a bombing halt, and even a possible peace deal, shortly before the election. During the campaign, Nixon claimed to have a "secret plan" to end the war. In the final days of the election, much was riding on the success or failure of the Paris Peace Talks with the North Vietnamese.

Related Topics:
Anti-war - Bombing - Paris - Peace Talks - North Vietnam

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Ultimately, the election held on November 5, 1968, was considerably closer than anyone had expected, particularly in the popular vote, but Nixon won the electoral vote by a comfortable margin.

Related Topics:
November 5 - 1968

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Results

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Source (Popular Vote): {{Leip PV source 2| year=1968| as of=August 7, 2005}}

Related Topics:
August 7 - 2005

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Source (Electoral Vote): {{National Archives EV source| year=1968| as of=August 7, 2005}}

Related Topics:
August 7 - 2005

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