1980: Reagan/McCarthy vs. Kennedy/Anderson

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

In the Democratic primaries, Senator Ted Kennedy finally triumphs over incumbent President Carter. Meanwhile, with the victory of the conservative Ronald Reagan in the GOP primaries, Congressman John Anderson announces his leaving of the party. In order to woo liberal and moderate Republicans, Senator Kennedy chooses Anderson as his runningmate. Meanwhile, the outspoken former Senator Eugene McCarthy, hating of the Democrats, despising Carter, and seeing his rivalry with the Kennedys reignited, endorses Ronald Reagan. Reagan, wanting to be the cooler candidate, chooses McCarthy for VP.

Former Governor Ronald Wilson Reagan (Republican-California/Former Senator Eugene McCarty (Independent-Minnesota)

vs.

Senator Edward M. "Ted" Kennedy (Democrat-Massachusetts)/Congressman John Bayard Anderson (Independent-Illinois)

[H.E. VOLODYMYR ZELENKSYY]

Kennedy/Reagan.

[Oldiesfreak1854]

Reagan/Kennedy.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

My own guess
Kennedy is able to rejuvenate Democrats and works hard to draw in moderate and liberal Republicans. As well, Chappaquiddick plagued Kennedy throughout the campaign as well as lack of a clear message. Meanwhile, Reagan held together conservative Republicans. Eugene McCarthy would prove a great asset to the ticket as he was able to draw in some youth votes, libertarians, disaffected Democrats, and his own home state of Minnesota in an upset.

Ronald Reagan (R-CA)/Eugene McCarthy (I-MN) 371 electoral votes, 54% of the popular vote
Ted Kennedy (D-MA)/John Anderson (I-IL) 167 electoral votes, 44% of the popular vote
Others: 0 electoral votes, 2% of the popular vote

During the assassination attempt on Ronald Reagan, Republicans were deeply worried that, should Reagan die, a former liberal Democrat would be at the helm and lead the nation and the party to disaster. While Reagan did survive, there was significant pressure on him come 1984 to dump McCarthy.