What really happened in 1980

[m4567]

The comparisons don't really make sense.

It's a totally different election, when you really compare the two.

Also, for the candidates: Romney is not nearly the politician Reagan was.  

If you're unbiased, you know Obama isn't nearly as bad as Carter was.

Even if Obama loses, he's still not Carter, and Romney is not Reagan.

[m4567]

The comparisons don't really make sense.

It's a totally different election, when you really compare the two.

Also, for the candidates: Romney is not nearly the politician Reagan was.  

If you're unbiased, you know Obama isn't nearly as bad as Carter was.

Even if Obama loses, he's still not Carter, and Romney is not Reagan.

Unemployment is slightly worse now, though inflation was much worse then.

In many ways, this election might be similar to 1980.  I've actually been making the case that 2012 could look a lot like 1980, since 1/31/08.  https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=69332.0

Aa far as the economy goes: The recession was much fresher in 1980. In 2012, it's a slow recovery. It's a lot better than it was. It's more about the trend. Not quite on the same level, but similar to 1936 and 1984.

It's not 1980. Plus, the candidates are very different.

[m4567]

Another thing being ignored: The effect of Ted Kennedy's primary challenge, which probably explains much of Carter's troubles in the summertime. Kennedy did not give up until the day of his convention speech.

Take away the Ted Kennedy factor, and Reagan probably would have trailed the entire year until the debate.

So, you're talking about a 1980 what-if. LoL. What TL did you read before posting this? Some that had Carter unopposed in the dem primary, or what?

Oh, and 1980 =/= 2012. We have internet, mobile phones... they had libertarians and democrats for Reagan. Carter was an unispiring candidate, Obama isn't. Reagan was a man the conservative base loved, Romney isn't. That year they had Anderson, now we have Goode and Johson. And something you are forgetting to mention. Obama is still leading in key swing states, and his lead is not exactly dropping. At this time, in 1980, the race was leaning Reagan.

Right on.