U.S. presidential election, 1972

Notes:

George McGovern ran on a platform[?] of ending the Vietnam War and instituting guaranteed minimum incomes for the nation's poor. Between difficulties with his running-mate, Thomas Eagleton (who he eventually dropped and replaced with Sargent Shriver), and the Republicans' successful campaign to paint him as unacceptably radical, he suffered a 61% - 38% defeat to sitting President Richard Nixon.

Conservative congressman John G. Schmitz of the American Party was on the ballot in 32 states and received 1,099,482 popular votes.

John Hospers[?] of the newly formed Libertarian Party was on the ballot only in Colorado and Washington and received only 3,673 popular votes. However, he was given one electorial vote by Republican delegate Roger MacBride.

Spiro T. Agnew resigned as Vice President October 10, 1973, the first Vice President to resign; He was succeeded by Gerald R. Ford, the first Vice President to be appointed without a national election.

Richard M. Nixon resigned as President August 9, 1974. He was succeeded by Gerald R. Ford. The again vacant position of Vice-President was then filled by Nelson A. Rockefeller.

Timeline

• May 15 - Governor and Presidential candidate George C. Wallace[?] of Alabama is shot by Arthur H. Bremer[?] at a Laurel, Md., political rally.
• June 17 - Watergate break-in, Washington, D.C.
• July 10-July 13 - United States Democratic Party convention and nomination of George McGovern
• August 21-August 23 - United States Republican Party convention and nomination of Richard M. Nixon
• November - Richard M. Nixon defeats George McGovern

See also: President of the United States, U.S. presidential election, 1972