What if Ford won in 1976?

[darklordoftech]

What if Ford defeated Carter?

[Lord Admirale]

I'd say Ford would be better with foreign policy than Carter, however a Democrat would probably be elected in 1980. I'd say it'd be Senator Ted Kennedy vs. Vice President Bob Dole.

1976:

President Gerald Ford (R-MI)/Senator Bob Dole (R-KS) - 277 EV
Governor Jimmy Carter (D-GA)/Senator Walter Mondale (D-MN) - 261 EV

1980:

Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA)/Senator Lloyd Bentsen (D-TX) - 362 EV
Vice President Bob Dole (R-KS)/Congressman John Anderson (R-IL) - 176 EV

[Kingpoleon]

1980:

305: Senator Birch Bayh/Governor Edward J. King - 50.3%
233: Attorney General Edward Brooke/Senator Mark Hatfield - 44.0%
Ed Clark/Ron Paul - 4.4%
Others - 1.3%


Scoop Jackson, Howell Heflin, Jimmy Carter, Reubin Askew, and Terry Sanford are the Democratic Party's major Southern surrogates.

[NHI]

Ford wins in '76, Kennedy, Hart, or Bentsen in '80.

[darklordoftech]

What effects would a Ford victory have on the Reagan Revolution? How would the religious right and the war on drugs be affected?

[Sir Mohamed]

VP Dole captures the GOP nomination against NV Senator and Reagan ally Paul Laxalt. He was supported by President Ford in the primary. He picks moderate congressman John Anderson of IL, hoping to win his homestate. Former FL Governor Reubin Askew wins in a croded Democratic field by beating more prominent Democrats like Lloyd Bentsen, Ted Kennedy, Gary Hart and Fritz Mondale. He also picks a swing-state mid-western running mate, Senator John Glenn of OH.

Though Ford remains somewhat popular (low 50s approval), it’s not enough to put Dole over the top and ensure a fourth consecutive GOP victory. Askew wins the election by a healthy margin, though Dole did better than expected by holding on in Ford's native of MI and IL as well.

✓ Former Governor Reubin Askew (D-FL)/Senator John Glenn (D-OH): 295 EVs.; 50.8%
Vice President Bob Dole (R-KS)/Representative John B. Anderson (R-IL): 243 EVs.; 48.0%

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

No one thinks Jerry Brown is a possibility? (Though Askew would be my preferred candidate)

[dw93]

Ford wins Ohio and Wisconsin by the Skin of his teeth and wins the election:

President Gerald Ford/ Senator Bob Dole: 277 EVs, 49% PV
F0rmer Governor Jimmy Carter/ Senator Walter Mondale:261, 49.2% PV

While Ford governs more competently than Carter, he still has a tough term. There are still revolutions in Iran and a second energy crisis in 1979, but no hostage crisis. Inflation is still an issue.  The Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan is a toss up. Ford having a better grasp on Foreign Policy may prevent it, but anything is possible. Panama Canal Treaty still happens to.

With President Ford being term limited, his Vice President Bob Dole, ran as his heir successor. However,  Former California Governor Ronald Reagan, who almost deprived Ford of the nomination in 1976, defeated Vice President Dole for the Republican Nomination. Reagan chose Senator Howard Baker of Tennessee to be his running mate.

On the Democratic side, the race for the nomination consisted of California Governor Jerry Brown, New York Governor Hugh Carey, Senator Lloyd Benson, Senator and former Vice Presidential Candidate Walter Mondale, Maine Senator and Former Vice Presidential candidate Edmund Muskie, Senator Henry Jackson of Washington, Former Governor Reubin Askew of Florida,  and Senator John Glenn of Ohio. Governor Carey won the Democratic nomination for President and chose Senator Henry M. Jackson of Washington to be his running mate.

With High Inflation, a weak Economy, lines for Gasoline, and Voter Fatigue due to 12 years of Republican rule of the Executive Branch, Governor Hugh Carey was elected the 39th President of the United States:

Governor Hugh Carey / Senator Henry "Scoop" Jackson (Democratic): 322 EVs, 50.5% PV
Former Governor Ronald Reagan / Senator Howard Baker (Republican): 216 EVs, 48% PV

[Edgeofnight]

What effects would a Ford victory have on the Reagan Revolution? How would the religious right and the war on drugs be affected?

The Religious Right would rally behind someone else, either in 84, 88, or even 92. Perhaps Pat Buchanan.