Trump/Pence...as Democrats

[Lord Admirale]

This is something interesting I've thought about for a very long time.

Donald J. Trump and Mike Pence have been members of the Democratic Party at some point in their lives. Pence was raised by a heavily Catholic family who were staunch Democrats, and Trump was a Democrat during the 70s and 80s, not to mention his opposition to George W. Bush caused him to switch back.

The challenge, if you accept, make the Democratic Party nominate Donald Trump and Mike Pence as their ticket in any presidential election.

Bonus points if you somehow get Clinton/Kaine as the Republican ticket (since Hillary was a Goldwater supporter in '64)

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

In some way Pence and Kaine are mirror reflections of each other. They represent two kinds of deeply devout Christians in politics. In this alternate universe, however, Pence's faith pushes him to the left with themes such as fairness, social justice, etc. Meanwhile, Kaine is driven to the right by ideological reasons, pretty much like religious rights.

As of presidential candidates, those are easy ones. Hillary stays a Republican, possibly being married to a former Republican president or other prominent figure (Hillary Rodham ...... - we've got endless possibilities here, folks). Trump, on the other hand, is consistent liberal version of himself, without subsequent flops and party switching. Similar to Bloomberg, I can see him becoming Mayor (or Governor or something else) before running.

[Kingpoleon]

Hillary Rodham Weld.

Presidents:
1981-1989: Ronald Reagan/Bob Dole
1989-1993: Paul Tsongas/Mario Cuomo(D)
1993-2001: William Weld/John Kasich(R)
2001-2009: Bill Bradley/John F. Kennedy, Jr.(D)
2009-2017: J. C. Watts/Robert M. Gates(R)


Hillary Weld(R):
First Lady: 1993-2001
Senator of Massachusetts: 2003-2009
Secretary of State: 2001-2009

Tim Kaine(same as OTL)

Mike Pence:
Attorney General: 2001-2003
Representative of Indiana: 2003-2013:
Chairman of the House Democratic Conferemce: 2011-2013
Governor of Indiana: 2013-2017
Vice President: 2017-PRESENT

[MAINEiac4434]

I like that you picked Bill Weld for Hillary. Iirc, they were friends and worked on Watergate together. Towards the end of the campaign Weld was basically stumping for Hillary. I know some people expected him to become part of We cabinet.

[MyRescueKittehRocks]

Only way that happens is if Pence remains a Catholic. Something happened to kabam that. Ronald Reagan.

[Oppo]

Tim Kaine's father-in-law was a Republican Governor of Virginia.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Lemme try to draw up a quick scenario where you get Trump/Pence v. Hillary/Kaine in reverse.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

1965: Alexander Linwood Holton is elected the first Republican Governor of Virginia since Reconstruction.

37. Richard M. Nixon (R-NY)/A. Linwood Holton, Jr. (R-VA) 1969-1974
38. A. Linwood Holton, Jr. (R-VA)/Nelson A. Rockefeller (R-NY) 1974-1977
39. Henry M. Jackson (D-WA)/Reubin O. Askew (D-FL) 1977-1981
40. John B. Anderson (R-IL)/George H.W. Bush (R-TX) 1981-1985
41. Reubin O. Askew (D-FL)/Geraldine Ferraro (D-NY) 1985-1993
42. William Weld (R-MA)/James Jeffords (R-VT) 1993-2001
43. Albert A. Gore (D-TN)/Joseph I. Lieberman (D-CT) 2001-2009
44. Michael Steele (R-MD)/Thomas Ridge (R-PA) 2009-2017
45. Donald J. Trump (D-NY)/Michael Pence (D-IN) 2017-Present

Coalitions are a bit different in this timeline. Republicans retain business interests in the South, but Democrats maintain the loyalty of rural voters. Regarding immigrants, Republicans are generally more "immigrant-friendly", but lack any economic plank that would keep them. Thus, Democrats are strong in the Southwest. "Silicon Valley" is largely Republican. Trump's presence reverses things as he takes a more vocally anti-immigration stance than previous Democratic nominees who tread a moderate course. As such, Democrats saw defections in the Southwest while gaining in the Deep South (where suburban voters hopped the fence for Trump's rhetoric). Trump maintained enough Latino support to keep California, but it was much closer than it "should have" been. With Clinton's presence, there was a "Republican collapse" in rural areas (relatively speaking) and Clinton ceded Wisconsin and Iowa.

Mr. Donald J. Trump (D-NY)/Governor Michael Pence (D-IN) 316 electoral votes
Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham-Weld (R-IL)/Governor Timothy Kaine (R-VA)
 222 electoral votes