9/11 in 2004...

[Enderman]

What if 9/11 happened in '04? Now granted it would definitely be odd because of Bush's low popularity, and because 9/11 hadn't happened yet, they'd would nominate Dean but by September 11th, they'd definitely regret it...

[barfbag]

If Bush dropped out of the race, then he still couldn't lose to Dean in this scenario.

Bush would probably have a 72% approval rating on election night and win at least 59-41.

[Pessimistic Antineutrino]

If Bush dropped out of the race, then he still couldn't lose to Dean in this scenario.

Bush would probably have a 72% approval rating on election night and win at least 59-41.

This minus Maryland and maybe Vermont.

[RodPresident]

By 2004, Bush would be seen as a lame-duck without legitimacy. GOP would lose Senate to Democratic Party in 2002. GOP wouldn't win in Minnesota and Missouri, Cleland would survive, Sheheen would be senator six years early. Allard would be in trouble and Texas could be in play if Democrats had nominated a White guy. We would see speaker Gephardt too. Democratic nominee could be very solid to GWB recover.

[Rocky Rockefeller]

Bush would trail Dean for most of the race, but once 9/11 happens Bush would fly into the lead and win easily

[barfbag]

Bush would trail Dean for most of the race, but once 9/11 happens Bush would fly into the lead and win easily

Howard Dean is one Democrat who I can't see ever leading a national race.

[President Johnson]

Bush wins in a landslide, as his approval ratings were around 80-90% after the attacks in 2001. Interesting would be to have 9/11 a day before a presidential election.

[barfbag]

Someone mentioned Bush's popularity being low without 9/11. On the morning of 9/11 I saw a poll where Bush's approval rating was 55% which is pretty good.

[Mr. Morden]

Dean surged in the Democratic primary polls on the back of his opposition to the Iraq War.  Does the Iraq War still happen in this scenario?  Does it happen in 2003, as IRL?

If not, then I don't seen Dean being nominated.  Maybe Gore would run, since it would look like a more winnable race for him in 2003, with 9/11 not having happened yet.  Or maybe it would be someone else, like Gephardt, or even Edwards.  Hard to say.