United States Presidential election, 1972 (Napoleon's World)

The United States Presidential election of 1972 pitted Texas Governor Clyde Dawley of the National Party against Illinois Senator Dennis Hayward of the Democratic Party. Dawley won a resounding victory in the electoral college but only narrowly won the popular vote in a hotly contested and divisive election. The election is cited as one of the dirtiest elections in history due to the vehement nature of the Democratic nomination process and attacks on Dawley by the Democratic Party.

The election is seen as critical as a moment of loosening Democratic support in the South due to Dawley's ability to turn the issues away from civil rights and towards the economy and practice of small government. Due to this, Dawley became referred to as the "Great Avoider" due to his skill in dodging major issues that could otherwise have made him unpopular.