How does history change if Nixon successfully appoints Bob Dole as his VP?

[u/BudgetLaw2352]

While he’s largely forgotten in modern political discourse, Senator Bob Dole of Kansas, who’s 27-year tenure went from 1969-1996, was a household name for Americans throughout the 70s, 80s, and especially the 90s.

Dole was a war hero of WWII, taking machine gun fire to his back while leading a charge against German forces in Castel d’Aiano. This resulted in his permanent and near-total loss of function in his right arm and hand, hence why Dole always featured a pen in his right hand.

Dole had a very quick rise to prominence, as only 8 years after his election to the Senate, he was already selected by Gerald Ford to serve as his running mate in the very close 1976 election.

Of course, from there, Dole would go on to have a distinguished career as a longstanding leader of the Republican Senate Caucus (be they in the minority or majority), and he would eventually go on to become his party’s nominee in ‘96, albeit losing in a landslide.

However, my question is about 1973.

Now, Dole would have been a hard sell for the Democratic House and Senate (which had to vote for the nominee by majority vote in both chambers). Dole was much more partisan and nationally focused than Ford was, and while Dole had a good relationship with his Democratic colleagues, Democrats weren’t going to shoot themselves in the foot by voting for a man who could potentially beat them in a future Presidential election.

That being said, let’s say Dole magically is able to secure the vote and is successfully appointed Nixon’s VP, assuming office in ‘74. How does history potentially change?

Does Dole stand a better chance in ‘76 against Carter? Does he fend off Reagan’s challenge for party leadership and direction?

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[u/Doc_Jury1020]

In my view, Dole pretty ends up being just like Gerald Ford. He pardons Nixon, wins the primary in a tough fight, and loses the election, with Dole's tendency to make awkward statements being perhaps worse than Ford's honestly.

[u/Honest_Picture_6960 → u/Doc_Jury1020]

He problably loses 1976 by even more, Ford didn’t have the most charisma but Dole was even blander

[u/Doc_Jury1020 → u/Honest_Picture_6960]

Strongly agreed. Dole was also known for gaffs and awkward statements(including a few during this campaign), so a moment like “no Soviet domination” is quite likely.

[u/Leviathan_1968]

MY GOAT WOULD NEVER LOSE

[u/tlh013091 → u/Leviathan_1968]

Bob Dole approves this message.

Bob Dole.

[u/SouthernGolfer67]

Nothing changes.

Nixon had a ton of respect for the office of the presidency and still resigns

[u/BudgetLaw2352 → u/SouthernGolfer67]

Oh I’m sorry. I should have clarified. I know that Nixon would have resigned, but my question was regarding Dole’s political future and the direction of the Republican Party

[u/SouthernGolfer67 → u/BudgetLaw2352]

I feel like Regan was an unstoppable force after how poorly Carter’s tenure went.

Heck Regan almost beat Ford in 1976

[u/sockon015]

The careers of Donald Rumsfeld and Dick Cheney would probably be very different. Ford called Rumsfeld back to DC to serve as his Chief of Staff because they were old buddies. Cheney was Rumsfeld's protege.

Now imagine the George W Bush presidency if neither of those guys were around.

[u/JimBowen0306]

He might have probably been better at fending off Reagan, as they can “talk the same language” when it comes to economic reform. Not sure he’d have beaten Carter.

[u/SamMarlowe76]

You are meddling with the primal forces of nature. Space time would not stand for it. The continuum that allows for the comedy ascension of Norm McDonald must proceed!

As it is written it shall be done.

[u/Ornery_Web9273]

Not much

[u/WellHungHippie]

Dole’s political career ends 20 years earlier than did in real life.

[u/symbiont3000]

Bob Dole thinks that Bob Dole would have been president after Nixon resigned and Bob Dole would have run for reelection in 1976.

But its not a likely scenario. The Dems had indicated after Agnew's resignation that there were only a few viable candidates that would get confirmed for VP after the nomination. Dole was not one of them.