If Obama lost in 2008

[Progressive]

Which Democratic candidates would have emerged in 2012 to take on McCain? Would it have been a battle between Clinton and Biden? Would the Democrats be in the same state now for 2016 that the GOP is in today?

[Mehmentum]

Biden wouldn't have been a contender.  Likely, Clinton would have been in a similarly dominant position as she had been this cycle, but without an email scandal since that happened when she was secretary of state.

[/]

Wrong board bud

[MisSkeptic]

I can see Hillary having another run; commenting the wrong person got the nomination and it was time for a woman to be President. Biden I think will fade into the background. 2008 would have been the last time he ran for President.

[Amenhotep Bakari-Sellers]

Biden certainly had his moment. But, he wanted to let voters see he was okay not running for Prez eventhough Beau wanted him to.

[🦀🎂🦀🎂]

If Obama had managed to lose 2008 the entire Democratic Party would have combusted in shame.

[Progressive]

Wrong board bud

Not really. Possibly for the first question and the title, but, I also ask about how an Obama loss would affect the 2016 election which is ultimately what the other question leads to--what would have been going on now.

[Thunderbird is the word]

If Obama had managed to lose 2008 the entire Democratic Party would have combusted in shame.

This

[pbrower2a]

We'd probably have an economic melting lasting deep into 2009, with Republicans enduring huge electoral losses in 2010. 

[Kingpoleon]

In 2012?

- Gov. Andrew Cuomo
- Sen. Evan Bayh
- Sen. Claire McCaskill

Howard Dean, Dennis Kucinich, and Jesse Jackson, Jr., are all possible "progressive" candidates.

[dudeabides]

My guess is McCain would not have sought re-election at the age of 76. Being in the U.S. Senate at his age is one thing, the presidency can include probably 12 hour days and sometimes, more during times of crisis. You can google photos of our past Presidents to see how the aged - the presidency ages one a lot.

So, Vice President Palin would have run, but the establishment would have freaked out. I think Jon Huntsman would have been in the McCain administration, resigned, and challenged Palin for the GOP nomination much like he served in the Obama administration before resigning to run. Huntsman would have raised a ton of money and beat Palin for the nomination because of gaffes she would have made on the campaign trail and he would have won over independents and moderates in early voting states, giving him later momentum.

Hillary Clinton would have probably run again, I don't think Biden would having lost the presidency in 1988 and 2008 followed by a 2008 general election loss as Obama's running-mate. People such as Evan Bayh, Deval Patrick, Jack Markel, Mark Warner, and Amy Klobuchar would have looked at running in 2012. But I actually think Sanders would have run against Clinton in 2012, her chances would be far better because, as was mentioned by others, she would not have been Secretary of State.

In terms of the general election, I think Huntsman would have a slight edge only because I do believe McCain would have been a relatively popular President, he would have had a better relationship with congress than Obama and I think he would have been a more respected President across party lines than Obama. 

[Californiadreaming]

Which Democratic candidates would have emerged in 2012 to take on McCain? Would it have been a battle between Clinton and Biden? Would the Democrats be in the same state now for 2016 that the GOP is in today?

Hillary Clinton, hands down.

[Hillary pays minimum wage]

He would've hired lawyers and acted like a child. Democrats would obviously play the race card.

[Stan]

In 2012 can be a second chance for Obama, or maybe a return for Hillary Clinton or Biden.
As new candidates, can be Kirsten Gillibrand, Martin O'Malley or Andrew Cuomo.

[Clark Kent]

In 2012 can be a second chance for Obama, or maybe a return for Hillary Clinton or Biden.
As new candidates, can be Kirsten Gillibrand, Martin O'Malley or Andrew Cuomo.

2008 was Obama's to lose. If he lost it, he wouldn't get a second chance.

[Kingpoleon]

"THE BRADLEY EFFECT!!!!"

- Democratic Party's new slogan

[Stan]

In 2012 can be a second chance for Obama, or maybe a return for Hillary Clinton or Biden.
As new candidates, can be Kirsten Gillibrand, Martin O'Malley or Andrew Cuomo.

2008 was Obama's to lose. If he lost it, he wouldn't get a second chance.

In 2008 Obama had the same age of Nixon in 1960, and Nixon had a second chance.

[Clark Kent]

In 2012 can be a second chance for Obama, or maybe a return for Hillary Clinton or Biden.
As new candidates, can be Kirsten Gillibrand, Martin O'Malley or Andrew Cuomo.

2008 was Obama's to lose. If he lost it, he wouldn't get a second chance.

In 2008 Obama had the same age of Nixon in 1960, and Nixon had a second chance.

Nixon narrowly lost an election that could've gone either way. In this hypothetical, Obama would've lost what should've been (and was IOTL) an easy victory.