AboutTed Nesbitt Expertise I will answer short, to-the-point questions on all aspects of
American politics -- legislative, executive, and judicial for
the federal government and all fifty states. I use the Lexis-Nexis
database for information concerning court cases in the state courts,
the U. S. District Courts, and the U. S. Supreme Court.
I do NOT have the time to work with lengthy problems or to read
and evaluate papers.
Experience I have been politically in a PAC since 1986 and have served state
government in an information capacity since 1980.
I have been a volunteer at the grammar and writing site at allexperts.com for more than two years.
Question Have any U.S. Presidential candidate every replaced their vice presidential nominee before an election and who was he?
Answer Dear Roland:
I knew the answer to your question immediately, because I remember the very embarrassing situation. I needed, however, to do some research to find specific details for you.
It was the presidential election of 1972. George McGovern was the Democrat nominee for president, running against Richard Nixon, the Republican.
McGovern wanted Sen. Ted Kennedy as his running mate, but Kennedy refused the offer. Of course, the news people reported Kennedy's rejection, which suggested that McGovern would be desperate to find a running mate. McGovern ended up choosing Sen. Thomas Eagleton, from Missouri.
Then rumors began to circulate about Eagleton's mental stability. The reporters "vetted" Eagleton, which McGovern had NOT. They reported that Eagleton had undergone a series of electroshock therapy treatments for depression. NO ONE wanted a vice president who suffered from bouts of depression.
After just 18 days as the vice presidential candidate, McGovern asked his running mate to withdraw. An in-law of Sen. Ted Kennedy was chosen to replace Eagleton. It was Sargent Shriver.
The election was a landslide for Nixon, who won every state EXCEPT Massachusetts.
You can find accounts of this lop-sided election on the internet. Just search for "Eagleton and McGovern."
