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Originally posted by KSig RC
George Wallace had a very strong chance to defeat Nixon in 72 - that would have been interesting, to say the least. I think he got shot while campaigning, ending it and pushing McGovern to the nomination.
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He was definitely gaining support, but I think the Democratic party was too fractured at that point for anyone to challenge Nixon. McGovern won the nomination because of how far left he was campaigning; his move towards the center turned off many of his potential voters after he secured the nomination.
If you get a chance, read Hunter S. Thompson's "Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail" about the '72 election. Very good book.
As far as people who would have made interesting Presidents - Adlai Stevenson, Henry Clay, RFK come to mind. Hell, if Gary Hart and Ted Kennedy had been smarter, those may have been memorable campaigns as well. Tilden is someone who was absolutely robbed in the situation with Hayes. Or there was Thomas Dewey...wonder how he would have been if he really did overtake Truman?
I'll post a couple of more as I think of them.