1976: Rockefeller vs. Carter

[President Johnson]

What if Gerald Ford had not run in 1976 and instead Vice President Nelson Rockefeller? Rocky narrowly defeats Reagan in the primaries and faces Carter in November. Who wins?

I think Rocky could win with Reagan as running mate, since the one is a liberal and the other a conservative.

[Mr. Smith]

Carter wins, since Rocky would have more fodder for Carter to attack and the GOP was still in hot water for Watergate and for the economy.

[Kingpoleon]

338: Rockefeller/Baker
200: Carter/Yorty

[Mr. Smith]

The likely map:

Carter/Church
Rockefeller/Laxalt

[P123]

The likely map:

Carter/Church
Rockefeller/Laxalt

This, but I could see SD flipping aswell if Montana goes.

[Sir Mohamed]

Hard to to tell, I think it would be close. Carter would have picked Mandale anyway, since he helped him a lot in the midwest and north.

I agree that Reagan would be a strong running mate (ideological and geographical balance), but Rockefeller would have chosen someone else. Maybe Dole.

✓ Former Governor Jimmy Carter (D-GA)/Senator Walter Mondale (D-MN): 277 EV. (50.0%)
Vice President Nelson A. Rockefeler (R-NY)/Senator Bob Dole (R-KS): 261 EV. (48.4%)

[swky_0rn]

Rockefeller gave someone the finger in 76. He would lose.