AET: 1984 w Democratic President

Supposing:

• Ford wins the 1976 Election, while losing the Popular Vote...
• the GOP nominates Reagan in 1980
• as to who the Democrats nominate, we've had a few discussions on this board on that already...
• whoever the Dems do pick wins the General Election, becoming the next President

My question here: who would run for the chance to defeat this Democrat for re-election, and who would get the nomination?

John Fredrick Parker said:

A)Ford wins the 1976 Election, while losing the Popular Vote...
B) the GOP nominates Reagan in 1980
C) as to who the Democrats nominate, we've had a few discussions on this board on that already...
D) whoever the Dems do pick wins the General Election, becoming the next President
My question here: who would run for the chance to defeat this Democrat for re-election, and who would get the nomination?

Click to expand...

A) So Jimmy Carter and Walter Mondale, lose narrowly to Gerald Ford and Bob Dole, in 1976.

How does Ford's presidency deal with the 1979–1981 Iran hostage crisis, the 1979 energy crisis, the Three Mile Island nuclear accident, and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.
Does Ronald Reagan hold a position in the cabinet? Does he have links or speak out about any of these issues?

B) Is the Ford full term really that bad, that the GOP nominate Reagan, rather then re-nominate incumbent President Ford in 1980? Is he allowed to run as his first term was under 2 years.

C) Obviously there are the Democrats that lost out in 76, SenatorL loyd Bentsen from Texas and Senator Robert Byrd from West Virginia could gain the South.
Senator Ted Kennedy, from Massachusetts, could gain the East Coast.
How would Governor Jerry Brown of California fare against Former Governor Ronald Reagan of California.
D) So this new Democrat candidate and running mate, beats Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush, in 1980.

Would John B. Anderson of Illinois run as the Republican nomination in 1984? Or would former CIA Director, Representative and former vice president nominee, George H. W. Bush from Texas win this years primary?
It really depends who is in office during 1980s and how they deal with certain events. Does a democratic President get killed in 1980, by the bullet unlike Ronald Reagan who survived? Does the vice president, who gets sworn in as new president gain sympathy?

Because Ford's first term was longer than 2 years, he was only eligible to be re-elected to one additional term.

Nixon resigned effective noon August 9, 1974. Ford took the oath of office and assumed the presidency at this time. His first term would be considered to run from this date until noon on January 20th, 1977.

Here's an interesting article where the author speculates about which presidents were or were not effected by term limits.
http://www.npr.org/sections/politicaljunkie/2009/06/the_effects_of_presidential_te.html

Depends on who Reagan's VP was, and who the President is.

Consideration in no particular order off the top of my head because I was up real late last night lol:

Laxalt
Inherits Reagan's campaign team and connections since he ran that. Strong with conservatives though doesn't create much enthusiasm.

Thornburgh
If Reagan's VP (via Three Mile Island) he's a heck of a candidate, though really really moderate so I doubt he'd run if he wasn't Reagan's VP nominee.

Baker
So so boring. Might run, but will go nowhere.

Kean
Not the best timing, but a possibility if he gets bitten by the bug.

Kemp
Ticks all the right boxes, but is in the House of Representatives and doesn't have Reagan being in power to really boost his profile. Kinda like a back-up Laxalt, but with greater base enthusiasm.

Bush
Depending on how his Ford administration performance was viewed and what job he might have had besides CIA director. He also might go off and run for Senator or something.

Dole
Was VP sure, but in Ford's unpopular administration. Still though 4 years of distance (does he run against Reagan ITTL?) should help.

du Pont IV
Term limited in 1985, might go early for a Presidential run in a Ford wins scenario.

Wildcards for fun: Jay Hammond (Governor of Alaska) & James R. Thompson (Governor of Illinois). Both popular governors who are term limited and who stayed involved in public life.