alternatehistory.com

As many of you know, the 1980 Presidential Election was one of the more closer elections between President Jimmy Carter and Governor Ronald Reagan. While Carter initially held a huge led in early 1980, the worsening economy led to Reagan creeping up in the polls. However Carter was able to free the American hostages in Iran and go on to win in November.

But what if Ronald Reagan had defeated Carter? What if the hostages had not been freed until after the election? Also, a Republican known as John Anderson was considering running as an Independent, but did not. Would Anderson have pulled more votes from Carter or Reagan? Could that have decided the election?
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