1980: President Carter vs. former President Ford

[President Johnson]

In 1980 Ronald Reagan stays out of the race, but former President Gerald Ford, who was narrwoly defeated by Carter in 1976, seeks a rematch four years later.

How does the election turn out? Does Ford do better or worse than Reagan?

Carter runs with Mondale of course, you pick Ford's running mate.

[Cryptic]

Carter/Mondale: 141
Ford/Dole: 397

Carter does better, but still loses in a blowout.  The economy is still crap and Iran hostage crisis is still bungled. 

Without Reagan's social conservatism, Carter is able to hold most of the South though he still loses a couple due to being unpopular.  Mississippi only narrowly went to Carter in '76, so I could see them deciding to go for Ford this time around.  Missouri was also fairly close in '76, so I'll give it to Ford due to the factors against Carter.  Ford performs much better in the Northeast than '76 where he turns the big electoral states of New York and Pennsylvania.  Also, there is no John Anderson in this race as he's probably okay with Ford getting the nod.

This race becomes even more of a repeat of the previous one when Ford once again selects Bob Dole as his VP.  Dole knows Ford won't be eligible for re-election in '84 and he'll be the natural successor if he's the VP again. 
 

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

Fmr. Pres. Ford (R-MI)/Sen. Baker (R-TN)  427 EV    53%
Pres. Carter (D-GA)/VP Mondale (D-MN)     111 EV    45%

[SPC]

[barfbag]

I'll say he chooses Richard Thornburgh of Pennsylvania. Other possibilities would be Ronald Reagan, George Bush, Bob Dole, and Nelson Rockefeller.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

Even if Ford was running instead of Reagan, I think Anderson would have launched his third party bid.  And even if he didn't there likely would have been a serious third party effort.  Maybe the Libertarians, maybe Teddy does what some wanted him to do.

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

I'll say he chooses Richard Thornburgh of Pennsylvania. Other possibilities would be Ronald Reagan, George Bush, Bob Dole, and Nelson Rockefeller.

Nominating someone who had died the year before might be appreciated as a bold move. However, the speculations about a sex scandal at the time of his death might be a bridge too far.

[President Johnson]

I don't believe Ford nominates Reagan. Ford was 67 years old in 1980, Reagan was 69. He would run with a younger man, GHW Bush or Bob Dole again.

[barfbag]

Are we to understand Anderson is in the race?

[MATTROSE94]

Fmr. Pres. Ford (R-MI)/Sen. Baker (R-TN)  427 EV    53%
Pres. Carter (D-GA)/VP Mondale (D-MN)     111 EV    45%

This.