1980: Weicker vs. Humphrey

[Bo]

Hubert Humphrey survives past 1980 and is in relatively good health. He successfulyl amanges to primary Carter for the Democratic nomination in 1980. The GOP nominates Senator Lowell Weicker to run against Humphrey. Everything else stays the same. You pcik the VPs. Who would win? Discuss, with maps.

[Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey]

With two liberals running against each other, I imagine there would be a conservative third party candidacy. Jesse Helms anyone?

[Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey]

Anyway, Weicker wins.

[Bo]

Anyway, Weicker wins.

By what margin, PV and EV-wise?

[Bo]

Also, there were two liberals running in 1976 and there was no prominent third party candidates that year. Why would 1980 be any different in this scenario?

[Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey]

Also, there were two liberals running in 1976 and there was no prominent third party candidates that year. Why would 1980 be any different in this scenario?

I'll make a map later. Anyway, Ford wasn't a liberal as much as he was a moderate, and he had the backing of conservatives. Also, without a third party, where would the South go to with liberal Weicker and Humphrey who publicly said "the time has arrived in America for the Democratic Party to get out of the shadow of states' rights and walk forthrightly into the bright sunshine of human rights?"

[Bo]

Also, there were two liberals running in 1976 and there was no prominent third party candidates that year. Why would 1980 be any different in this scenario?

I'll make a map later. Anyway, Ford wasn't a liberal as much as he was a moderate, and he had the backing of conservatives. Also, without a third party, where would the South go to with liberal Weicker and Humphrey who publicly said "the time has arrived in America for the Democratic Party to get out of the shadow of states' rights and walk forthrightly into the bright sunshine of human rights?"

What if Weicker flip-flops on abortion and affirmative action? Would that appease the South?

[Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey]

Also, there were two liberals running in 1976 and there was no prominent third party candidates that year. Why would 1980 be any different in this scenario?

I'll make a map later. Anyway, Ford wasn't a liberal as much as he was a moderate, and he had the backing of conservatives. Also, without a third party, where would the South go to with liberal Weicker and Humphrey who publicly said "the time has arrived in America for the Democratic Party to get out of the shadow of states' rights and walk forthrightly into the bright sunshine of human rights?"

What if Weicker flip-flops on abortion and affirmative action? Would that appease the South?

Maybe, but that doesn't sound like Weicker to me.

[Bo]

Also, there were two liberals running in 1976 and there was no prominent third party candidates that year. Why would 1980 be any different in this scenario?

I'll make a map later. Anyway, Ford wasn't a liberal as much as he was a moderate, and he had the backing of conservatives. Also, without a third party, where would the South go to with liberal Weicker and Humphrey who publicly said "the time has arrived in America for the Democratic Party to get out of the shadow of states' rights and walk forthrightly into the bright sunshine of human rights?"

What if Weicker flip-flops on abortion and affirmative action? Would that appease the South?

Maybe, but that doesn't sound like Weicker to me.

What if he does this in order to appease conservatives, though? Let's say Reagan promised to endorse him only if he added a pro-life and anti-affirmative action plank to his platform.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Weicker would not turn Pro-Life or drop support for Affirmative action.

[Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey]

Weicker would not turn Pro-Life or drop support for Affirmative action.

[Lincoln Republican]

Two liberals, the nation picks Humphrey, who they know, assuming his health is good.

Democrat                                                 294
Senator Hubert Humphrey (MN)                   
Senator Sam Nunn (GA)
                             
Republican                                                244
Govrnor Lowell Weicker (CT)                       
Senator Howard Baker (TN)

[Bo]

Two liberals, the nation picks Humphrey, who they know, assuming his health is good.

Democrat                                                 294
Senator Hubert Humphrey (MN)                   
Senator Sam Nunn (GA)
                             
Republican                                                244
Govrnor Lowell Weicker (CT)                       
Senator Howard Baker (TN)

Wouldn't Carter's unpopularity hurt Humphrey, though? He would have probably made some statements in the past indicating his approval of Jimmy Carter's policies.

[Obnoxiously Slutty Girly Girl]

Lowell Weicker? Yuck.

Humphrey/Humphrey