1980: Ted Kennedy/Dale Bumpers vs Bob Dole/George Bush

[Sasquatch]

In November 1976 Gerald Ford wins over Jimmy Carter. The state of Ohio and Mississippi were able to push Ford over the top in one of the closest presidential elections in history. The victory would soon be a distant memory as Ford's term would be plagued by high energy prices and stagflation.


Republican Primary: Ronald Reagan had been the early favorite, but suprised everyone by not running. The press would later find out that he had been diagnosed with Alzheimers. Vice President Bob Dole went toe-to-toe with George H.W. Bush, but in the end the Vice President sealed up the nomination. At the convention Bob Dole chose his primary rival to be his running mate.

Democratic Primary: As soon as Ted Kennedy announced he was running, he had all but wrapped up the nomination. Jerry Brown and Walter Mondale didn't put up much of a fight and Kennedy had a head start on the fall campaign as Dole and Bush fought it out. At the convention Kennedy made a very memorable acceptance speech and Sen. Dale Bumpers was chosen as VP to balance out the ticket.

John Anderson had made threats about running as an independent, but chose not to when it was all said and done.


Who wins and what does the map look like?

[Sasquatch]

Does the Iranian revolution/hostage crisis still occur?

Your call.