Gore vs. Bush: 9/11 happens in 2000

[Cappuccino]

So 9/11 happens exactly one year earlier than in IRL, basically in the middle of the election campaign. President Clinton launches Operation Enduring Freedom in October and both Gore and Bush endorse the war in Afghanistan. Most of campaign season is pretty low-key after the attacks, as neither candidate wants to be seen campaigning at a time such as this. With the nation utterly shocked by the attacks, virtually no campaigning up to the election and the only real chance for the candidates to make their pitch being the debates, who wins this election? Does the incumbent party (and hence Gore) benefit from a rally round the flag effect, or do the perceived strengths of the Republicans on defence and homeland security help GWB?

Discuss with maps.

[JRP1994]

Gore landslide.

354-184

[H. Ross Peron]

or do the perceived strengths of the Republicans on defence and homeland security help GWB?

Bush originally campaigned on a fairly isolationist platform.

[Cappuccino]

or do the perceived strengths of the Republicans on defence and homeland security help GWB?

Bush originally campaigned on a fairly isolationist platform.

Ah okay, I wasn't aware of that, that makes a Gore win seem much more likely in this scenario.

[barfbag]

Bush handled 9/11 better than a president has ever handled a situation and he'd do just as well as a candidate.

[Supersonic]

The 'rally to the flag' effect would help Gore. He would only need a couple hundred votes in Florida to win anyway.

[Wake Me Up When The Hard Border Ends]

Gore landslide.

354-184

I'd agree with this, although would Gore lose in 2004?

[Stand With Israel. Crush Hamas]

Gore landslide.

354-184

I'd agree with this, although would Gore lose in 2004?

Yes, I think so. Giuliani in 2004 would have been nigh-unbeatable in both the primary and general.

[barfbag]

Something big I think we're not looking at is the many attempts Clinton had to capture Bin Laden. Let's also look at the bombing of the World Trade Center, Oklahoma City, the bombing of our base in Africa, and the USS Cole. These were all instances during the Clinton/Gore era where we were attacked and did nothing. Finally, something big enough happened where we had to do something, but Bush could've made the point that we haven't been safe under the Clinton administration and change was needed.