Under the current primary system, which past Presidential candidates within 18 months of the general election

[pnwmom]

Last edited Wed Apr 15, 2015, 10:21 PM - Edit history (4)

have said: "I'm not going to run" -- and then changed their minds?

I'm asking about the modern era, from the 1970's onwards, because we're past the days when the convention might vote for a candidate who hadn't been in the race at all. Now a successful candidate might lock up enough electoral votes well before the convention.

http://www.salon.com/2011/10/30/the_smoke_filled_room_never_looked_so_good/

The primary system is no sainted legacy of the Founding Fathers, it’s a relative newcomer. Believe it or not, primaries did not decide the major party presidential nominations until the 1970s. As late as 1968, the race for the White House featured just 15 primaries selecting only 40 percent of convention delegates. Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey won the Democratic presidential nomination in 1968, and he didn’t run in a single primary!

[onehandle]

1. Perot.

You probably meant a real candidate though.

[dsc]

2. not sure you would consider 68 the current system

but Robert Kennedy said he wouldn't run but when Johnson took 2nd in New Hampshire he jumped in. This is the only case I can think of.

[pnwmom]

3. Probably not, so I've amended the OP thanks to your making this point.

http://www.salon.com/2011/10/30/the_smoke_filled_room_never_looked_so_good/

The primary system is no sainted legacy of the Founding Fathers, it’s a relative newcomer. Believe it or not, primaries did not decide the major party presidential nominations until the 1970s. As late as 1968, the race for the White House featured just 15 primaries selecting only 40 percent of convention delegates. Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey won the Democratic presidential nomination in 1968, and he didn’t run in a single primary!