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Alright, I was just thinking that despite the fact that the Kennedy family is the most successful political family in the Democratic Pary, and the Bush family is the most successful political family in the Republican Party, the two families have never (as far as I know) ran against each other on any level. So, what would be the most likely scenario (past or future) for a Bush vs. Kennedy Presidential election? Or even a Senate or Gubenatorial election (could happen, the Bushes were originally from the Northeast)? I would like thoughts from as many people as possible because I was thinking about making a timline about it (since I hit a dead end and/or got bored with my old one). Here were the most likely scenarios I could think of:

1960 - John F. Kennedy vs. Prescott Bush
I know that it sounds like a long shot but since Nixon didn't face any serious challenge in OTL, you never know what might have happened if he had. Plus when I was doing some research I found this on the always accurate Wikipedia: "Eisenhower later included Bush's name on an undated handwritten list of prospective candidates he favored for the 1960 GOP presidential nomination."

1980 - Edward Kennedy vs. George H.W. Bush
Kennedy put up a good challenge to Carter, and Bush ran a strong second to Reagan. Not sure the POD on this one. Maybe Reagan gets the Republican nomination in 1976 and loses (because I don't think any Republican could win in 76 after Watergate). Thus he is no longer a factor in 1980. Then Carter is as unpopular as OTL (or perhaps even more due to butterflies), and Kennedy manages to squeak out a victory in the nomination race.

1980 - Robert Kennedy vs. George H.W. Bush
I was thinking that if RFK doesn't get assassinated, and yet loses the nomination in 1968, maybe he could come back in 1976. He then wins over Ford or Reagan, and Bush challenges the incumbent in 1980.

1984 - Edward Kennedy vs. George H.W. Bush
Reagan assassination is successful, so Bush becomes President. ITTL, Bush is not as popular as Reagan was in OTL, so Kennedy thinks it is worth a shot to challenge him.

1988 - Edward Kennedy vs. George H.W. Bush
Not sure what the POD would be here either. Maybe an issue that is really really important to Kennedy comes up and convinces him to run. I have no doubt that he could have won the nomination if he wanted it. Does anybody know why Kennedy didn't run IOTL? He was only 56.

2004 - Joseph Kennedy II vs. George W. Bush
Joseph was in Congress for 12 years and considered running for Massechusettes governor in 2002. If he had, and beat Mitt Romney, he may have been in position to challenge Bush in 2004. Probably not until 2008 though.

2008 - Joseph Kennedy II vs. Jeb Bush or George W. Bush
See above for how Kennedy could get into this posititon. Maybe if George W. Bush's political career gets delayed somehow, they could have a showdown in 2008. Jeb could also be in this postition if his brother were more popular. Still I doubt the Republicans would want back-to-back Bushes. So this TL may require George to lose in 2000 or 2004. This presents another interesting (but somewhat unlikely) scenario: Kennedy beats Bush in 04, and Jeb attempts to avenge his brother in 08.

I was thinking about future matchups, but that could be a bit of a problem. Members of the Bush family will probably only be future contenders if George is viewed more favorably in hindsight then he is now. But that would take until 2016, 2020 or maybe even 2024 (if it happens at all). Jeb is already 56, so unless George's image rehabilitates faster then I expect, he's probably out. George Prescott Bush (son of Jeb) is very politically outspoken although he hasn't run for public office yet. He's only 33, so the earliest he could make a legitimate Presidential run is probably 2016 or 2020. As for Kennedys, Patrick (son of Ted) is a Congressman, but he has had some scandals which may inhibit his career (but then again, so did his dad and it didn't hurt him that much). RFK Jr. considered running for the Senate in New York, and as far as I know he still might. But he's 55 and has no experience in elected office, so I don't think he could climb the ladder that fast. Joseph II (a son of RFK who I mentioned earlier) is considered to be a possible candidate for Ted Kennedy's now vacant Senate seat. He has been a congressman before, so he could be a Presidential candidate in 2012 or 2016 if he takes the seat. Both Christopher and Max Kennedy (also sons of RFK) are politically active and in their 40s, so you never know what could happen there. Does anyone else have any ideas that I haven't thought of? I don't know quite as much about the local races, but if anyone does know of a Bush/Kennedy race that could have happened in an alternate TL (maybe have more of the Bushes stay in Conneticut?) or in the future, I'd like to know. Although I doubt it would be as fun to write a TL about a Senate or Governor's race as it would be if it were a Presidential race.
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