The 1968 U.S. presidential election is one of the most dramatic and significant in American history, marked by social upheaval, political chaos, and the remarkable comeback of Richard Nixon. After losing the presidency in 1960 and a subsequent humiliating loss in the 1962 California gubernatorial race, many believed Nixon’s political career was over. However, the 1968 election would prove otherwise. Against the backdrop of the Vietnam War, civil rights struggles, and widespread protests, Nixon emerged as a symbol of stability for a weary nation. This is the story of how Richard Nixon made a historic political comeback to win the White House.
The Political Landscape of 1968
The late 1960s were a tumultuous time for the United States. The country was deeply divided over its involvement in the Vietnam War, which had escalated under President Lyndon B. Johnson. Protests against the war spread across college campuses and major cities, leading to clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement. At the same time, the civil rights movement was still grappling with major issues like racial inequality and segregation. The assassination of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. in April 1968 led to widespread unrest in many U.S. cities, further highlighting the nation’s racial tensions.
Meanwhile, President Johnson’s popularity had plummeted due to his handling of the war and domestic unrest. In March 1968, Johnson shocked the nation by announcing he would not seek re-election, leaving the Democratic Party without a clear successor. This set the stage for a bitterly contested election.
Nixon’s Early Career and Fall from Grace
Richard Nixon’s rise to national prominence began in the 1940s as a U.S. congressman and later a senator from California. In 1952, he became Dwight D. Eisenhower’s vice presidential running mate, serving two terms as vice president. Nixon’s political ambitions led him to run for president in 1960, but he lost to John F. Kennedy in one of the closest elections in U.S. history.
After his loss in the 1960 presidential race, Nixon ran for governor of California in 1962 but was soundly defeated by incumbent Democrat Pat Brown. Following his defeat, Nixon held a now-famous press conference, where he declared to the media, “You won’t have Nixon to kick around anymore.” Many believed this marked the end of Nixon’s political career, and for several years, he largely stayed out of the political limelight.
However, Nixon was not ready to give up. He spent the next few years rebuilding his image, traveling the country to campaign for Republican candidates, writing books, and carefully positioning himself as a voice of experience during a period of national unrest. By the mid-1960s, Nixon’s political comeback was quietly gaining momentum.
The Divisive Democratic Primary
With President Johnson’s withdrawal from the race, the Democratic primary quickly turned into a bitter contest between several major candidates. Early on, the two leading contenders were Vice President Hubert Humphrey and anti-war candidate Senator Eugene McCarthy. Another major candidate, Senator Robert F. Kennedy, joined the race in March, electrifying the campaign with his charisma and broad appeal.
Kennedy’s campaign was tragically cut short when he was assassinated on June 5, 1968, just moments after giving a victory speech following his win in the California primary. His death stunned the nation and left the Democratic Party in disarray.
After Kennedy’s assassination, Hubert Humphrey, who had been Johnson’s loyal vice president, became the party’s presumptive nominee. However, Humphrey’s association with Johnson’s unpopular Vietnam War policies made him a controversial candidate. Anti-war Democrats, many of whom had supported Kennedy or McCarthy, were reluctant to back him.
Nixon’s Campaign Strategy
Richard Nixon saw an opportunity in the nation’s turmoil. His campaign focused on appealing to what he called the “silent majority” of Americans who were disillusioned with the protests, the violence, and the countercultural movements of the 1960s. Nixon’s message was one of law and order, promising to restore peace to a nation that seemed to be unraveling. His slogan, “Nixon’s the One,” portrayed him as the candidate who could bring stability and return the country to normalcy.
Nixon skillfully distanced himself from the divisive issues of the day, taking a more moderate stance on Vietnam compared to the hawkish Republicans and Democrats. He promised “peace with honor” in Vietnam, a message that resonated with Americans who were tired of the war but did not want to see the U.S. admit defeat. Nixon’s strategy of ambiguity on key issues allowed him to appeal to both sides of the political spectrum, while avoiding the pitfalls of being too closely aligned with either.
Another key element of Nixon’s campaign was his use of television. After the 1960 election, where he had been outperformed by Kennedy in the first televised debates, Nixon learned the importance of image. By 1968, he had honed his TV presence, delivering carefully scripted speeches that conveyed calm and confidence. His appearance on television during the campaign played a crucial role in shaping public perception of him as a leader.
George Wallace and the Third-Party Challenge
While Nixon faced off against Hubert Humphrey on the Democratic side, there was a third candidate in the race who posed a significant challenge: George Wallace, the former governor of Alabama. Running as an independent, Wallace’s campaign focused on a platform of segregation and states’ rights, appealing to disaffected white voters, particularly in the South.
Wallace’s presence in the race complicated Nixon’s electoral strategy. While Nixon had to appeal to conservative voters without embracing Wallace’s extreme positions, he also needed to prevent Wallace from drawing away too many votes. Ultimately, Wallace’s third-party candidacy split the conservative vote, but not enough to stop Nixon from winning.
The 1968 Democratic National Convention
The 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago was a turning point in the campaign. The convention was marred by violent clashes between anti-war protesters and the Chicago police, leading to scenes of chaos broadcast live on television. Humphrey, who had won the Democratic nomination, was unable to distance himself from the turmoil, further damaging his campaign.
The violence at the convention played into Nixon’s hands. His law-and-order message seemed more relevant than ever as Americans watched the unrest unfold on their TV screens. Nixon capitalized on the disorder, portraying himself as the candidate who could restore peace and order.
Election Day and Nixon’s Victory
On November 5, 1968, Americans went to the polls in what was one of the most closely watched elections in U.S. history. Nixon narrowly won the popular vote, securing 43.4% to Humphrey’s 42.7%, while Wallace took 13.5%. However, Nixon’s victory in the Electoral College was much more decisive, with 301 electoral votes to Humphrey’s 191 and Wallace’s 46.
Nixon’s triumph in 1968 marked a stunning political comeback. He had gone from a defeated and disgraced politician to the president of the United States in just six years. Nixon’s victory signaled a shift in American politics, as his law-and-order rhetoric and appeal to the “silent majority” became central themes in future Republican campaigns.
Conclusion
The 1968 presidential election was a pivotal moment in American history, shaped by the Vietnam War, civil rights struggles, and political unrest. Richard Nixon’s comeback from political obscurity to victory demonstrated his resilience and political savvy. By appealing to the anxieties of a divided nation, Nixon won the presidency and laid the groundwork for a new era in American politics. His election not only marked his return to the national stage but also the beginning of a more conservative political landscape in the United States that would define the following decades.