1980 Polarized Tickets

[Lincoln Republican]

In 1980

Republicans nominate the very conservative ticket of
Senator Jesse Helms (NC), President, Republican Senator since 1973
Former Senator James Buckley (NY), Vice President, NY Conservative Party Senator 1971-1977

Democrats nominate the very liberal ticket of
Senator Howard Metzenbaum (OH), President, Democratic Senator 1974, then Senator since 1976
Senator Claiborne Pell (RI), Vice President, Democratic Senator since 1961

How does this election turn out?
Maps?

[Dr. Cynic]

Well obviously, I'd vote for how I lean... Liberal.

But in all honesty, I don't see Helms winning a national election. I could hardly see Helms winning votes outside of the south, and the traditionally conservative bastions of Idaho, Utah, North Dakota, and Indiana.

[Lincoln Republican]

Thank you for your response, Doctor Cynic.

Well, anyone else want to hazard how this election would turn out?

[DownWithTheLeft]

Razor-thin Helms victory

[ATFFL]

Going to agree with DWTL.  People were primed for a change at the time.  Helms, while no ehere near as personalble as Regan, would do enough to win just enough to take the White House.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Metzenbaum wins 351-187

[gorkay]

If you reversed the ticket, chances would have been good for the GOP. Buckley, BTW, was considered as a compromise candidate at the '76 convention when it appeared there might be a deadlock between Ford and Reagan. But Helms at the top of the ticket would have ruined Republican prospects. His views actually weren't that different from Reagan's, but he expressed them in a much more disagreeable and confrontational manner. Reagan's genius as a politician was his ability to convince die-hard conservatives that he was a true believer, while at the same time implying to moderates that he didn't really believe all the conservative rhetoric. Bill Clinton has something of the same ability... liberals, moderates, and even a few conservatives are all convinced that he is one of them.