In 1964, Lyndon B. Johnson (Democratic) won 486 of 538 electoral votes, defeating Barry Goldwater by 434 EV during the New Deal Coalition era. In 1972, Richard Nixon (Republican) won 520 of 538, defeating George McGovern by 503 EV during the Cold War Realignment era. Turnout: 62.8% vs 56.2%.
vs
1964
New Deal Coalition
Lyndon B. Johnson
Democratic
Electoral votes
486 of 538
EV margin
434
Popular vote
61.0%
Turnout
62.8%
Runner-up
Barry Goldwater (Rep)
Lyndon Johnson won the largest popular vote landslide in US history, carrying 61% against conservative Senator Barry Goldwater. Johnson benefited from Kennedy's assassination, national mourning, and his own Great Society agenda. Goldwater's willingness to use nuclear weapons and his opposition to the Civil Rights Act alarmed many voters. The famous 'Daisy' TV ad implied Goldwater might start a nuclear war. Johnson's landslide gave him a massive Congressional majority to pass Medicare, the Voting Rights Act, and Great Society programs.
1972
Cold War Realignment
Richard Nixon
Republican
Electoral votes
520 of 538
EV margin
503
Popular vote
60.7%
Turnout
56.2%
Runner-up
George McGovern (Dem)
Nixon won re-election in a historic landslide, carrying 49 states and losing only Massachusetts and DC. Senator George McGovern ran an anti-war campaign but was damaged by his initially selecting and then dropping Thomas Eagleton (who had received electroshock therapy) as his running mate. The Watergate break-in had occurred in June 1972 but its significance was not yet widely understood. Nixon's opening to China and détente with the Soviet Union were popular. He resigned in August 1974 due to the Watergate scandal.