So I had this interesting thought that came up with my mind relating to the president's term length and the historical occurrences that happened and I came up with this weird scenario of which how possible could've a 10 year George H.W. Bush presidency be. Of course the Constitution says that the president must serve maximum for 10 years. So how that rule could apply is Bush H.W. as V.P. taking over Reagan's presidency after two years considering if it happened in 1981 with the assassination attempt being sucessful, then Bush H.W. for sure would've not been eligible to run in 1988. Reagan did face almost near death experience in August 1983 when he was on plane after it landed since there was a huge powerful cold wind in D.C. that was around 149 mph. Had he been up in the air longer a bit then it's possible that it would've caused a catastrophic plane accident. So let's say this unfortunate accident happens and President Reagan dies making Bush H.W. the president. What would happen now? Would the economy recover just in time for the 1984 election? Who would V.P. be under Bush H.W.? Would Mondale be the Democratic nominee? Would Bush H.W. win? Does the relation between the U.S. and USSR become better as it did in OTL? Would Bush H.W. still run in 1988 and win since he'd be eligible? Does Dukakis still becomes nominee? Does Europe face anti-communist revolutions like in OTL? Does the Gulf War still happen and does the USSR collapse in 1991? Who would be contesting in 1992 election and who would win? And wouldn't Bush H.W. be viewed more positively since he'd possibly get credit for the economic recovery in 1980's, ending the Cold War, and successfully invading Iraq if it happens in this alternate timeline?
A 10 year Bush H.W. Presidency?
- Thread starter Shadow1080
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- 1980's bush 41 cold war reagan die
Reagan's death in August of 1983 would have had a slight negative impact on the economic recovery but launched Bush into the 1984 campaign with a massive amount of goodwill from the mourning public. He would probably pick a more conservative Vice-President (let's say Bob Dole for the sake of argument) and wait to be elected in his own right before making any cabinet changes. The Democratic nomination would be Mondale's to lose, but he might decide not to run since the general election would be an obvious lost cause. This might create an opening for a Jesse Jackson victory, analogous to Goldwater's in 1964, or you might see a party elder step in as essentially a placeholder candidate.
Bush's first full term would probably look alot like Reagan's second, with a strong economy and gradually improving relationships with Russia, although he would probably pursue a more moderate domestic policy and would have a harder time avoiding blame for Iran Contra, which would be the Democrats' best hope for victory in 1988. However, Bush would still be the favorite for reelection, givent hat he could take personal credit for the economy.
Bush's first full term would probably look alot like Reagan's second, with a strong economy and gradually improving relationships with Russia, although he would probably pursue a more moderate domestic policy and would have a harder time avoiding blame for Iran Contra, which would be the Democrats' best hope for victory in 1988. However, Bush would still be the favorite for reelection, givent hat he could take personal credit for the economy.
What about the relations with the Soviet Union? Does Europe face revolutions and does the Soviet Union collapse?
1984 was already a lost cause for the Democrats. Considering Mondale reportedly had decided to run in 1984 as early as January of 1981, he probably launches his 'come what may' campaign regardless.
George Washington
Banned
No. That is impeachment if I've ever seen it. Bipartisan, unanimous.
First off, nice name. Second, I think if Bush can successfully bring an end to the Cold War, he will win a landslide victory in 1988.
Also, assuming Bush gets a ten year term, who would win the next election? Still Clinton, or maybe another Republican?
The 1992 election would depend on the economy. If the First Gulf War gets butterflied, then Bush can probably keep the economy growing through election day and hand off power to his Vice President, but an oil shock between 1990 and 1992 would throw the election to a Democrat (probably not Bill Clinton, due to the butterfly effect).
George Washington
Banned
Alright. But who would be the most likely vice president or democrat successor?
Potential Vice Presidents: Bob Dole, Howard Baker, Lamar Alexander, Dick Thornburgh.
Potential Democratic Candidates: Mario Cuomo, Al Gore, Gary Hart (assuming his 1988 run gets butterflied), Ted Kennedy, Bill Bradley
The preponderance of the evidence would say yes, since you keep the same key players.
I guess I've finally found somebody with a more twisted sense of humor than me.
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