Election 2000: Terrorist Attack on September 11, 2000

[Sasquatch]

How does the election turnout if the 9/11 attacks happen in 2000, less than 8 weeks before election day? Does America rally behind the President (in this case incumbent party) or do they look for new leadership?

[Bo]

Is al-Qaeda still responsible? What does Clinton do afterwards in September/October 2000? How do Bush and Gore react?

[Sasquatch]

Is al-Qaeda still responsible? What does Clinton do afterwards in September/October 2000? How do Bush and Gore react?

Yes, al-Qaeda are responsible. Clinton sends troops to Afghanistan in October to get Bin Laden. Bush and Gore try to out "Hawk" each other I suppose.

[Bo]

Is al-Qaeda still responsible? What does Clinton do afterwards in September/October 2000? How do Bush and Gore react?

Yes, al-Qaeda are responsible. Clinton sends troops to Afghanistan in October to get Bin Laden. Bush and Gore try to out "Hawk" each other I suppose.

I assume Clinton also overthrows the Taliban while he's at it? Anyway, Clinton's approvals would probably be in the high 80s-low 90s in November 2000 in this scenario, and the huge surge in patriotism would help Gore tremendously due to being Clinton's VP and helping create Clinton's national security strategy. Also, Nader's support collapses and most of his voters defect to Gore due to Clinton's effective response to the attacks.

Gore/Lieberman-371 EV
Bush/Cheney-167 EV

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

It helps reverse Gore's biggest tactical blunder in 2000, it puts Clinton front and centre, and no doubt ensures Gore is in shot for important moments.

[Sasquatch]

I hadn't thought of that. Gore would have been up front and along side Clinton during the whole thing. Bush would have been at disadvantage.  It would have been not long after the Democratic Convention too, Bush would have been drowned out of media coverage for a good month.

Here's my map...

Gore  363 EV (52%)
Bush  175 EV (46%)
Nader 0 EV (1%)
Others 0 EV (1%)

[Mr. Morden]

Would the Dems have had a shot at taking both houses of Congress?

[Bo]

Would the Dems have had a shot at taking both houses of Congress?

Yes, IMO. The Democrats were very close to recapturing Congress in 2000 in RL and a large Gore win would have probably given the Democrats large coattails.

[TxChristianDude]

I am not to sure on who would have won.  On one hand, Gore would use his experience on foreign policy as 8 years of VP, and Bush would have no foreign policy experience.

On the other had, Bush & the GOP would say "Look, you guys have had 8 years to launch the War on Terror and you didn't.  This is the 3rd terrorist attack to happen on our soil under your watch!  The WTC was already attacked once in 1993, then the Oklahoma City Bombing happened (although this was home grown terrorism), and now 9/11!"

[sentinel]

I am not to sure on who would have won.  On one hand, Gore would use his experience on foreign policy as 8 years of VP, and Bush would have no foreign policy experience.

On the other had, Bush & the GOP would say "Look, you guys have had 8 years to launch the War on Terror and you didn't.  This is the 3rd terrorist attack to happen on our soil under your watch!  The WTC was already attacked once in 1993, then the Oklahoma City Bombing happened (although this was home grown terrorism), and now 9/11!"

That is a good point, that four terrorists attack would have happened under the Clinton Administration. You forgot the bombing of the USS Cole. I don't think a fifth attack would look good for the Clinton Administration.

[Robespierre's Jaw]

It would also be a flip flop for Gore. At one time Gore said that he wanted to distance himself from Clinton, and then suddenly he wanted to be with Clinton basically all the time.

It's the aftermath of a terrorist attack. I doubt anyone, would in this scenario think to themselves, when consealed in the polling booth: 'What a travesty! Gore didn't campaign with the President, and now he does. Who does he think he is? Warren Beatty? Let's vote for the other guy'. People's anxieties were heightened after 9/11 and remained very much so till Election Day 2004.

In my opinion, Bush still wins.

If Bush's popularity can increase to something ridiculous, in height of a national disaster such as 9/11 - then Clinton's would too. And Gore, as a result would ride his coattails.

[feeblepizza]

GORESLIDE!!!!!!!!

[You kip if you want to...]

Yes, it would've been enough to swing 500-odd Floridians.

[feeblepizza]

Yes, it would've been enough to swing 500-odd Floridians.

I think the exact number is 502 .

[Middle-aged Europe]

Time to rally around the flag (= president/vice president). Plus, Gore has foreign policy experience.

Bush probably wouldn't dare (or it would backfire) to criticize the administration over the previous al-Qaeda attacks, because it would be seen as an attempt to use those 3,000 corpses for political gain. And that a time when he's supposed to support the troops in Afghanistan. It's possible that he'd already advocate an invasion of Iraq during the campaign though.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

Yes, it would've been enough to swing 500-odd Floridians.

Even less for the unofficial count when the recount was ended. Of course Gore won anyways.

[feeblepizza]

Yes, it would've been enough to swing 500-odd Floridians.

Even less for the unofficial count when the recount was ended. Of course Bush won.

Fixed.

[Robespierre's Jaw]

I don't mean to be rude or anything. But, it seems that you never have anything positive to say about any of my threads or single posts.

I was merely questioning your logic...again. Yes, Gore did want to distance himself from Clinton but in height of a 9/11esque terrorist attack, during the middle of the campaign Gore, as Vice President would emphasize national unity by campaigning with the President; but also his strengthen his foreign policy credentials. It's my belief that people would not think of campaign trivialities, but rather national security when confined in the voting booth - manifesting a Gore victory.

It is always a critique that I get from u.

Actually, it's not

Again, I can take criticism...lets just get that straight before u play that card. But, I just noticing a very consistent trend.

Cards? We all know I'm shithouse at cards. I've never been able to play well, and I doubt I ever will.

[Thomas D]

Gore 343-195