1976 Bob Dole vs Walter Mondale

[Lincoln Republican]

In 1976

On the Republican side, President Gerald Ford decides to retire from public life, and respected Kansas Senator Bob Dole wins the Republican Presidential nomination.  Dole makes a surprising pick for Vice President, rising Republican star and former United States Secretary of the Navy, John Warner of Virginia. 

To the surprise of all, hard working and experienced Senator Walter Mondale of Minnesota decides to enter the race for the Democratic Presidential nomination, and comes out victorious.  Mondale as well takes everyone off guard in his choice for Vice President, by picking brilliant attorney and former United States Deputy Attorney General, Warren Christopher of California.

How does this election go?

Please discuss, and use maps if you choose.

Republican
Senator Bob Dole (KS)
Former United States Secretary of the Navy John Warner (VA)

Democrat
Senator Walter Mondale (MN)
Former United States Deputy Attorney General Warren Christopher (CA)

[Lincoln Republican]

Dole was not tainted by Watergate, and he had nothing to do with the pardon of Nixon.

Dole was a political street fighter, and he out performs the underwhelming Mondale on the  campaign trail. 

Dole is liked in the south, and they choose him over the northern liberal.

Both running mates put in solid performances, but have no impact on the outcome of the election.

Dole realizes his lifelong ambition of becoming President of the United States.

This result thwarts the advent of Ronald Reagan in 1980, as Dole would not doubt seek reelection. 

Dole/Warner                    302
Mondale/Christopher       236

[Antonio the Sixth]

Dole was not tainted by Watergate, and he had nothing to do with the pardon of Nixon.

Dole was a political street fighter, and he out performs the underwhelming Mondale on the  campaign trail. 

Dole is liked in the south, and they choose him over the northern liberal.

Both running mates put in solid performances, but have no impact on the outcome of the election.

Dole realizes his lifelong ambition of becoming President of the United States.

This result thwarts the advent of Ronald Reagan in 1980, as Dole would not doubt seek reelection. 

Dole/Warner                    302
Mondale/Christopher       236

Give Mondale the west coast states and so the victory.

[RIP Robert H Bork]

I thought that it would be the tickets reversed (Mondale/Carter versus Dole/Ford).

[Lincoln Republican]

I thought that it would be the tickets reversed (Mondale/Carter versus Dole/Ford).

No, I used some originality in my selection of running mates.

Either of these, Warner or Christopher, in 1976, would be far more qualified for the Vice Presidency than were, say, Agnew in 1968, Ferraro in 1984, Palin in 2008, or than Dukakis was for President in 1988. 

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Very narrow win for Dole, 279-259:

[WalterMitty]

resounding victory.

mondale=poor candidate.

[Landslide Lyndon]

resounding victory.

mondale=poor candidate.

Well, Dole wasn't exactly a barn-burner either.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Why am I the only to think Mondale would win ? Don't forget watergate, poor economical situation, 8 years of republican government...

[Lincoln Republican]

Why am I the only to think Mondale would win ? Don't forget watergate, poor economical situation, 8 years of republican government...

True, but there would be one reason for the Democratic loss in this scenario, and that reason is

MONDALE

Although other Presidents have brought in new taxes, Mondale actually vowed when he became a candidate that he would raise taxes if necessary.  Candidates do not generally state that they will raise taxes.  They raise them after being elected.  Besides, Mondale had a speaking style that would put one to sleep after listening to him for 5 minutes.

In real life as well, Mondale picked New York Congresswoman Geraldine Ferraro for Vice President, showing his complete lack of political judgment.  Ferraro was a complete token woman candidate, utterly unqualified for the office of Vice President, and certainly nowhere near qualified to assume the Presidency if that became necessary.  The only other Vice Presidential pick that compares anywhere to being as completely unqualified as Ferraro was when McCain picked Palin.

Compared to Mondale, Dole was a star candidate.

[Landslide Lyndon]

Why am I the only to think Mondale would win ? Don't forget watergate, poor economical situation, 8 years of republican government...

True, but there would be one reason for the Democratic loss in this scenario, and that reason is

MONDALE

Although other Presidents have brought in new taxes, Mondale actually vowed when he became a candidate that he would raise taxes if necessary.  Candidates do not generally state that they will raise taxes.  They raise them after being elected.  Besides, Mondale had a speaking style that would put one to sleep after listening to him for 5 minutes.

In real life as well, Mondale picked New York Congresswoman Geraldine Ferraro for Vice President, showing his complete lack of political judgment.  Ferraro was a complete token woman candidate, utterly unqualified for the office of Vice President, and certainly nowhere near qualified to assume the Presidency if that became necessary.  The only other Vice Presidential pick that compares anywhere to being as completely unqualified as Ferraro was when McCain picked Palin.

Compared to Mondale, Dole was a star candidate.

It's ludicrous to compare Mondale's 1984 campaign to a possible 1976 one.
In 1984 Mondale was the heavy underdog and needed desperately to do something that would attract attention (any kind of attention) and shake up the race.
Hence the Ferraro choice and his statement about raising taxes.

In 1976 instead he could run a safe, predictable, even boring campaign and could still win.

Let's not forget that besides all the issues Antonio mentioned, Dole already had a reputation of being a nasty partisan and had just been married for a second time, which wouldn't exactly endear him to social conservatives.     

[Lincoln Republican]

Why am I the only to think Mondale would win ? Don't forget watergate, poor economical situation, 8 years of republican government...

True, but there would be one reason for the Democratic loss in this scenario, and that reason is

MONDALE

Although other Presidents have brought in new taxes, Mondale actually vowed when he became a candidate that he would raise taxes if necessary.  Candidates do not generally state that they will raise taxes.  They raise them after being elected.  Besides, Mondale had a speaking style that would put one to sleep after listening to him for 5 minutes.

In real life as well, Mondale picked New York Congresswoman Geraldine Ferraro for Vice President, showing his complete lack of political judgment.  Ferraro was a complete token woman candidate, utterly unqualified for the office of Vice President, and certainly nowhere near qualified to assume the Presidency if that became necessary.  The only other Vice Presidential pick that compares anywhere to being as completely unqualified as Ferraro was when McCain picked Palin.

Compared to Mondale, Dole was a star candidate.

It's ludicrous to compare Mondale's 1984 campaign to a possible 1976 one.
In 1984 Mondale was the heavy underdog and needed desperately to do something that would attract attention (any kind of attention) and shake up the race.
Hence the Ferraro choice and his statement about raising taxes.

In 1976 instead he could run a safe, predictable, even boring campaign and could still win.

Let's not forget that besides all the issues Antonio mentioned, Dole already had a reputation of being a nasty partisan and had just been married for a second time, which wouldn't exactly endear him to social conservatives.     

Your points are well taken.

However, the differences between the situations in 1976 and 1984 do not negate the fact that Mondale would have been or was a very unappealing Presidential nominee.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Why am I the only to think Mondale would win ? Don't forget watergate, poor economical situation, 8 years of republican government...

True, but there would be one reason for the Democratic loss in this scenario, and that reason is

MONDALE

Although other Presidents have brought in new taxes, Mondale actually vowed when he became a candidate that he would raise taxes if necessary.  Candidates do not generally state that they will raise taxes.  They raise them after being elected.  Besides, Mondale had a speaking style that would put one to sleep after listening to him for 5 minutes.

In real life as well, Mondale picked New York Congresswoman Geraldine Ferraro for Vice President, showing his complete lack of political judgment.  Ferraro was a complete token woman candidate, utterly unqualified for the office of Vice President, and certainly nowhere near qualified to assume the Presidency if that became necessary.  The only other Vice Presidential pick that compares anywhere to being as completely unqualified as Ferraro was when McCain picked Palin.

Compared to Mondale, Dole was a star candidate.

It's ludicrous to compare Mondale's 1984 campaign to a possible 1976 one.
In 1984 Mondale was the heavy underdog and needed desperately to do something that would attract attention (any kind of attention) and shake up the race.
Hence the Ferraro choice and his statement about raising taxes.

In 1976 instead he could run a safe, predictable, even boring campaign and could still win.

Let's not forget that besides all the issues Antonio mentioned, Dole already had a reputation of being a nasty partisan and had just been married for a second time, which wouldn't exactly endear him to social conservatives.     

Your points are well taken.

However, the differences between the situations in 1976 and 1984 do not negate the fact that Mondale would have been or was a very unappealing Presidential nominee.

A very unappealing Presidential nominee can win, depends to his opponent and the political context. In 2076, it would have been very difficult for a democratic candidate, even a poor one, to lose.
Remember also that Carter's poor campaign was the only reason that he went so close. And I don't think Mondale would have been very worse.

[tmthforu94]

Walter Mondale wins, in an extremely close election...