“Even as a kid, I remember reading about Nixon’s victory over George McGovern in 1972. That’s almost 40 years ago, folks. One thing I recall clearly was, when the information broke in the newsroom of the NYT (I think), everyone was dumbfounded. One of them actually blurted, “How could Nixon have won? I don’t know a single person who voted for him!”.”
You read incorrectly.
That quote is attributed to the late Pauline Kael, film critic for The New Yorker magazine.
Just sayin’....
More accurately, I recall incorrectly. Like I said, it's been almost forty years. I was ten at the time. I'm surprised I remember it at all.