Some have said that 2012 is going to look like 1980 as soon as the Republicans find their Reagan. Well what would have happened if they hadn't found him in 1980?
I think there are a number of different scenarios here.
Say a January 1, 1979 death scenario (who can grab the conservative mantle from the beginning),
January 1, 1980 (if it happens at that point, GHWB probably gets the momentum with his major opponent out, but Connaly may be able to with SC over Bush)
and a late May 1980 possibility (Reagan has a majority of the delegates at this point, so who does the convention pick?)