Final Answer:
c. George McGovern because Nixon won the 1972 election easily because his opponent, George McGovern, faced internal divisions within the Democratic Party and struggled to gain broad support.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the election of 1972, Richard Nixon easily defeated the Democratic candidate, George McGovern. McGovern faced a challenging campaign characterized by divisions within the Democratic Party and opposition to the Vietnam War.
Nixon, the incumbent president, leveraged a strong economy and international developments, presenting himself as a stable leader. The Democratic primary process highlighted internal conflicts, and McGovern's anti-war stance appealed to a specific faction within the party. However, his candidacy struggled to garner widespread support, and the Democrats faced organizational challenges.
Furthermore, the Watergate scandal, although not fully apparent during the election, would later contribute to Nixon's resignation. Despite these factors, the electoral outcome was a decisive victory for Nixon, securing his second term as President of the United States. The 1972 election remains notable for its political dynamics, reflecting the broader social and political landscape of the time.