Governor Ronald Reagan picks northeast moderate Republican Senator Richard Schweiker of Pennsylvania for VP as a balance to his conservatism.
Governor Jimmy Carter picks midwestern liberal Democrat Senator Walter Mondale of Minnesota for VP to appeal to more liberal voters.
The nation is just coming off of 16 straight years of Democratic administration. Reagan hammers over and over again the need for change and renewal. Reagan is the master manipulator of the media, easily outdistancing Carter in the Presidential debates.
The Reagan juggernaut begins in traditionally Republican upper New England. Schweiker's presence on the ticket helps in this area. Reagan also does very well on the east coast. Schweiker cements the big electoral state of Pennsylvania into the GOP column. Reagan sweeps through the midwest caputring the big electoral prizes of Ohio, Michigan, and Illinois along the way. Reagan rolls up big wins in several southern states, home base to Carter, including Florida and Texas. Reagan, not surprisingly, sweeps the west, culminating with an overwhelming win in his home state of California, the biggest electoral state of all.
Reagan is charasmatic and engaging. Carter is completely underhwelming.
Reagan offers America hope for the future. Carter offers four years of uninspiring leadership.
A big win for Reagan.
Reagan/Schweiker 406
Carter/Mondale 132
Poll
