Romney/Rubio vs. Patrick/Kaine 2016

[Skill and Chance]

Obama loses narrowly to Romney in 2012 with unemployment at 9.1% and the GOP takes the senate.  Romney and the GOP congress repeal Obamacare and passes an entitlement reform bill that raises the social security eligibility age, makes the Bush tax rates permanent and converts Medicare into vouchers for private insurance.  The budget deficit does fall to $350 B by 2016.

Democrats retake the House running against these cuts in 2014.  In the fall of 2016, unemployment is 8.7% and most economists now believe that the average rate will be between 8% and 9% for the next 20 years.  Patrick runs on defying these expectations and restoring universal health care and Romney runs on his fiscal restraint.  Romney approval is 46/49. 

[NHI]

Romney defeats Patrick easily.

R: 283
D: 255

[Miles]

Romney defeats Patrick easily.

R: 283
D: 255

I could possibly see NC flipping, thus giving Patrick/Kaine exactly 270. It would be close though.

[Skill and Chance]

Romney defeats Patrick easily.

R: 283
D: 255

I could possibly see NC flipping, thus giving Patrick/Kaine exactly 270. It would be close though.

NC could go either way.  The obvious one that sticks out to me on this map is IA.  I don't think it would come anywhere near voting for the same incumbent president who just slashed ethanol credits, farm subsidies, etc in a deficit cutting deal.  The GOP base there is basically pure populist.

I also think Romney could easily win PA, but not NM.

[Username MechaRFK]

[MAINEiac4434]

Patrick closely. It seems like Patrick would be running a positive, optimistic campaign that would appeal to the youth. Since the cuts by Romney didn't really help (only slightly reducing unemployment) I think the voters would give Patrick a shot.

Democrats: Deval Patrick (MA)/Tim Kaine (VA) - 297
Republicans: Mitt Romney (MA)/Marco Rubio (FL) - 241

[Niemeyerite]

Romney/Rubio 273 EVs
Patrick/Kaine 265 EVs

OH, MT, IA and AZ are the closest states. 

[Bo]

Obama loses narrowly to Romney in 2012 with unemployment at 9.1% and the GOP takes the senate.  Romney and the GOP congress repeal Obamacare and passes an entitlement reform bill that raises the social security eligibility age, makes the Bush tax rates permanent and converts Medicare into vouchers for private insurance.  The budget deficit does fall to $350 B by 2016.

Democrats retake the House running against these cuts in 2014.  In the fall of 2016, unemployment is 8.7% and most economists now believe that the average rate will be between 8% and 9% for the next 20 years.  Patrick runs on defying these expectations and restoring universal health care and Romney runs on his fiscal restraint.  Romney approval is 46/49. 

How the heck can Romney have okay approvals when unemployment is stagnating during his Presidency and is projected to stagnate further for years to come?