2008: McCain/Lieberman (R) vs. Obama/Biden (D)

[darklordoftech]

What if McCain picked Joe Lieberman as his running mate?

[MAINEiac4434]

Obama probably wins by a slightly larger margin. Palin motivated the base. Lieberman would've done the opposite.

[Orthogonian Society Treasurer]

[Blackacre]

Yeah, pretty much this.

But this carries with it all sorts of implications for 2009. Does the increased Obama margin mean Al Franken joins the Senate earlier? Does Lieberman fully switch parties, denying the Dems 60 seats?

[NewYorkExpress]

Yeah, pretty much this.

But this carries with it all sorts of implications for 2009. Does the increased Obama margin mean Al Franken joins the Senate earlier? Does Lieberman fully switch parties, denying the Dems 60 seats?

It might mean Democrats knock off Mitch McConnell instead.

[bagelman]

394-144

Palin was a bad VP nom, but Lieberman would be much worse.

[Heisenberg]

[RC (a la Frémont)]

394-144

Palin was a bad VP nom, but Lieberman would be much worse.

Choosing Loserman would be a death wish to the Republican Party, this + ND, SD, and AK. Dems pickup KY and MS, gaining a 62-38 majority in the senate, counting independent Lieberman. With that big of a win, I would also expect that 2016 is a closer election, with Hillary ultimately winning MI, PA, and WI.

[America Needs a 13-6 Progressive SCOTUS]

Lieberman would have switched parties if this happened, so Democrats would need to pick up a 10th senate seat instead of the 9 they did to get fillibuster proof.  Republicans would also control the senate from Lieberman party swap until January 3 2009, possibly allowing them to get more Bush nominees confirmed (those that failed by 49-51 party line votes in real life).

[Lechasseur]

This. Lieberman as McCain's running mate would have made Missouri and Montana (they were very close) flip but otherwise I think Obama had basically reached his ceiling.

[The Govanah Jake]

This. Lieberman as McCain's running mate would have made Missouri and Montana (they were very close) flip but otherwise I think Obama had basically reached his ceiling.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

If Lieberman remains a registered Democrat (for "muh unity ticket" appeal), there would be problems in some states with putting him on the ballot.

Also, nominating a pro-choice = very bad idea for any GOP candidate.

[America Needs a 13-6 Progressive SCOTUS]

Also, nominating a pro-choice = very bad idea for any GOP candidate.

I know right, that is why Susan Collins lost re-election in the otherwise GOP wave year of 2014 by a 68.5-31.5 margin!

Oh wait...

[PoliticalShelter]

Also, nominating a pro-choice = very bad idea for any GOP candidate.

I know right, that is why Susan Collins lost re-election in the otherwise GOP wave year of 2014 by a 68.5-31.5 margin!

Oh wait...

That was a senate election, this is a presidential election and considering that the GOP nominee is somebody already distrusted by the conservative grassroots and it's clear that it would be a dumb idea to put a pro-choice VP on the ticket.