What-if 1980: Anderson/Brown independent ticket!!

[defe07]

Let's assume that John B. Anderson and Jerry Brown do both run in the primaries like in real life. However, Anderson announces he's running for President as an independent and chooses Brown as his running mate. They face Reagan/Bush and Carter/Mondale.

What would a map look like? Electoral Vote total and popular vote?

[Senator Snowstalker]

 Definitely takes more from Carter (though that was the case in 1980, though this is amplified)

[JulioMadrid]

Reagan wins, easily, but Anderson is 2nd.

[hcallega]

Reagan wins, easily, but Anderson is 2nd.

Not likely. Anderson was never in a position to finish above Carter or Reagan, or either. His appeal was heavily limited to more affluent white voters from across the political spectrum. Choosing Brown may help among anti-tax types, but Reagan still has them wrapped up.

It's important to note that until the debates, it was a very close race. Reagan was viewed as an extremist, and Carter was pretty likable. Anderson certainly hurt Carter, but the final tally was more a referendum on Reagan hitting every note in the debates, while the President was miserable.

[JulioMadrid]

Reagan wins, easily, but Anderson is 2nd.

Not likely. Anderson was never in a position to finish above Carter or Reagan, or either. His appeal was heavily limited to more affluent white voters from across the political spectrum. Choosing Brown may help among anti-tax types, but Reagan still has them wrapped up.

It's important to note that until the debates, it was a very close race. Reagan was viewed as an extremist, and Carter was pretty likable. Anderson certainly hurt Carter, but the final tally was more a referendum on Reagan hitting every note in the debates, while the President was miserable.

I know Anderson would hardly break 10%, but I wanted to post a "toss-up" map being optimistic with Anderson/Brown