Kennedy vs Reagan 1980

[Democratic Hawk]

I read somewhere that Kennedy would have matched-up against Reagan better than Carter - (outside the South anyway) - but do you think Kennedy would have performed significantly better in the electoral college than Carter?

I'm not sure whether he would have, except for preventing Reagan from winning Massachusetts and New York. Reagan would have won big whoever the Democratic opponent

Dave

[True Democrat]

With Anderson still in the race, something like this:



A lot of NE states would be Reagan, but Anderson would've taken less votes away from Kennedy than from Carter.

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

Add Illinois to Kennedy and true independent's map is about right.

[Lincoln Republican]

Reagan          428
Kennedy         110

[Ben.]

Interesting scenario, a Kennedy candidacy in 1980, could he have won? Doubtful, but how would he have performed is the critical question… its important to remember that Carter lead Reagan in the poll for the early part of the race, in the end it was the debates which swung it for the Gipper, what would Kennedy vs. Reagan debates have been like?

The battleground would have shifted, Kennedy couldn’t have relied on the southern base that Carter could, indeed even in 1980 the margins in most of the southern states where agonisingly thin. Kennedy would however have not suffered from the handicap of being an unpopular incumbent, he could just as well as Reagan appeal to voters as the candidate best equipped to make for “a fresh start”… in the end I don’t think it would be enough, things might be a great deal closer than they where in reality in 1980, but I think Reagan would still win.   

       

Reagan/ Bush (REP) – 400EV, 49%
Kennedy/ Hollings (DEM) – 138EV, 43%
Anderson/ Lucey (Ind) – 0EV, 6%     

[True Democrat]

Interesting scenario, a Kennedy candidacy in 1980, could he have won? Doubtful, but how would he have performed is the critical question… its important to remember that Carter lead Reagan in the poll for the early part of the race, in the end it was the debates which swung it for the Gipper, what would Kennedy vs. Reagan debates have been like?

The battleground would have shifted, Kennedy couldn’t have relied on the southern base that Carter could, indeed even in 1980 the margins in most of the southern states where agonisingly thin. Kennedy would however have not suffered from the handicap of being an unpopular incumbent, he could just as well as Reagan appeal to voters as the candidate best equipped to make for “a fresh start”… in the end I don’t think it would be enough, things might be a great deal closer than they where in reality in 1980, but I think Reagan would still win.   

       

Reagan/ Bush (REP) – 400EV, 49%
Kennedy/ Hollings (DEM) – 138EV, 43%
Anderson/ Lucey (Ind) – 0EV, 6%     

There is no way Kennedy takes South Carolina, even with Hollings.

[A18]

New Hampshire doesn't go Kennedy. Minnesota probably goes Reagan without Mondale on the ticket.

[Bo]

Reagan          428
Kennedy         110

About right.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

Does anyone know of a poll that has Kennedy vs. Reagan and Carter vs. Reagan?

[Kingpoleon]

489: Fmr Gov. Ronald Reagan(R-CA)/Sen. John Heinz, III(R-PA)
49: Sen. Ted Kennedy(D-MA)/Gov. Jerry Brown(D-CA)

[bagelman]

489: Fmr Gov. Ronald Reagan(R-CA)/Sen. John Heinz, III(R-PA)
49: Sen. Ted Kennedy(D-MA)/Gov. Jerry Brown(D-CA)

How do the dems take Alaska?

[Clark Kent]

I did this almost a year ago. I know it's not exactly what you're looking for, but it's somewhat related:

You must be logged in to read this quote.

EDIT: Ah, I just understood what this question was asking. Disregard this post, please.

[Amenhotep Bakari-Sellers]

There were two routes Kennedy were to take to road to 270, the OH route, and winning much of the states Dems woukd win today, or the Ca route which will almoat entail Jerry Brown as running mate. But, unquestionably,  Kennedy was a superior candidate than Carter