1988: Al Gore vs. Bob Dole

[Suburbia]

Kansas Sen. Bob Dole defeats Vice President George Bush and claims he is the true Reagan heir.

The Bush era never begins as Doleism takes over the Republican Party.

A young Tennessee Sen. Al Gore beats Dukakis, Gephardt, Jackson to win the 1988 Democratic presidential nomination.

Who wins?

[darklordoftech]

Doleism

What is Doleism?

[Thomas D]

Gore 269
Dole 269

[dw93]

Al Gore / Lee Hamilton (Democratic): 305 EVs
Bob Dole / Lamar Alexander (Republican): 233 EVs

Despite the economic and international fundamentals being favorable to the Republicans, Gore wins convincingly because Dole is a weak candidate. With Bush, a race against Gore is a toss up that goes either way.

[President Johnson]

✓ Senator Albert Arnold Gore (D-TN)/Senator Thomas Richard Harkin (D-IA): 331 EV. (50.93%)
Senator Robert J. Dole (R-KS)/Governor Robert Martinez (R-FL): 207 EV. (47.01%)

[connally68]

Gore was the strongest Democrat running in 1988.

[morgankingsley]

Honestly I would still say Dole, although I would be interested in a Gore timeline

[connally68]

President Johnson's map is almost spot on, but I would switch Louisiana with Vermont.

[Orthogonian Society Treasurer]

Doleism

What is Doleism?

Universal Basic Viagra

[Suburbia]

Doleism

What is Doleism?

Doleism is probably like Majorism with Sir John Major, Dole's conservative counterpart in the UK.

Fairly conservative economic policy and a strong national defense; typical conservative policy, but with a Midwestern bent.

https://www.nytimes.com/1996/07/06/opinion/doles-military-card.html

[TheElectoralBoobyPrize]

Dole would’ve only been the nominee after a divisive primary, which always hurts the incumbent party more. If H.W. Bush simply decided not to run and Dole had the establishment’s blessing, he would’ve had a better shot in the general.