1980 George H W Bush/James Thompson vs Edward Kennedy/Sam Nunn

[Lincoln Republican]

Republican, in 1980, Central Intelligence Director George H W Bush manages to defeat Ronald Reagan for the 1980 Republican Presidential nomination.  He picks mid west power house Governor of Illinois Jim Thompson for Vice President.

Democratic, in 1980, Senator Edward Kennedy manages to defeat President Jimmy Carter to win the Presidential nomination. He picks respected U.S. Senator from Georgia Sam Nunn for Vice President.

How does this election  go?

Please discuss.  Use map if you wish.

[Lechasseur]

Bush wins in a landslide; Kennedy only wins 6 states+DC. Kennedy was simply unelectable and I think the result would have been roughly the same in a Reagan v Kennedy matchup too (although there I could see Kennedy winning a couple more states). Georgia goes for Bush because A) Sam Nunn I don't think could have made up for Kennedy being a bad fit for the state, and especially B) I think a lot of Georgians would have been angry at Kennedy for primarying Carter.

Bush wins the EC with 456 EVs against Kennedy's 82 EVs

[Lincoln Republican]

Kennedy may take Minnesota.

[Politician]