2012: Sanford v. Warner

[Kaine for Senate '18]

In 2008, the ticket of John McCain/Mark Sanford defeats Barack Obama/Joe Biden by a close margin, with the Democrats making gains in the House and Senate.  President McCain increases troops levels slightly, although he spends most of his first year in office dealing with a fairly strong recession; due to his leadership, the recession is not as bad as it could have been.  In 2010, the Democrats lose 2 seats in the House, and gain 1 Senate seat in Florida.

Shortly after the election, President McCain suffers a stroke, and is unable to lead for almost 2 months, giving power to Vice President Sanford.  Sanford doesn't do much, but he is able to calm down the American public, and President McCain is able to return to power in early February 2011.  In his first speech since returning to work, McCain announces he will not seek reelection, and endorses his Vice President for the job.

On the Democratic side, two major candidates, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York, and Senator Mark Warner of Virginia announce for the nomination.  After Warner trounces Hillary in Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina, she drops out, and endorses Warner.  Warner selects Governor Janet Napolitano of Arizona to be his running mate.

On the GOP side, Vice President Sanford is able to deal easily with former Governor Mitt Romney, and is nominated easily.  Sanford selects Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska to be his running mate.

Republicans:
Vice President Mark Sanford (South Carolina)
Senator Lisa Murkowski (Alaska)

Democrats:
Senator Mark Warner (Virginia)
Governor Janet Napolitano (Arizona)

[Lincoln Republican]

After 12 straight years of Republican administrations, a solid win for Warner.

Both candidates could have chosen far better running mates.

Warner/Napolitano              317
Sanford/Murkowski              221

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

Warner 355
Sanford 183

Most likely a landslide for a moderate Democrat.

[DownWithTheLeft]

I'd be inclined to think the Republicans can't hold the White House for 16 years, but given the strength of Sanford as a candidate I think he just might.  However, the weakness of Sanford's running mate causes him to lose by the slimmest of margins

[Kaine for Senate '18]

[DownWithTheLeft]

Why the hell would I libertarian like Sanford lose Colorado to a populist type like Warner?

[War on Want]

Why the hell would I libertarian like Sanford lose Colorado to a populist type like Warner?

Sanford is just a maintream Republican and Warner isn't populist, he is just centrist and appeals to both Populist-leaning people and Liberatarian-leaning people.

[auburntiger]

Easy Warner win, of which I might vote Warner. 370-168. Closest states are Montana, Tennessee, Arkansas, North Carolina, and Florida in no particular order.

[DownWithTheLeft]

The good thing about this election, is that people would be voting for someone against the other guy 95% of the time I believe.  My other map stands but if they have better running mates:

Fmr. Gov. Mark Sanford (R-SC)/Rep. Jeff Flake (R-AZ)
Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA)/Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN)