Ford-Rumsfeld 1980?

I see in discussions of Ford running in 1980 that he would need a more conservative running mate. Jack Kemp and Bob Dole are names I've seen floated.

What about Donald Rumsfeld?

He was a supply-sider who while in Congress would frequently go to the University of Chicago to listen to Friedman's lectures. He's also comparably qualified to HW in 1980, having been a 3-term Congressman, Director of the Office of Economic Opportunity, Counselor to the President, Director of the Cost of Living Counsel, NATO Ambassador, Chief of Staff, and Secretary of Defense.
 
If nominated, then Ford/Rumsfeld would probably win unless Carter secures the "October Surprise" release of the hostages he needed to win in OTL. Barring that, Ford is sworn in for a second non consecutive term in 1981 and serves until 1985, as he wouldn't be constitutionally allowed to run again in 1984. This means Rumsfeld is the heir apparent and he probably beats Mondale, as well as Dukakis (or someone else) in 1988. By 1992 however, the Democrats would be poised to regain the Presidency under Clinton, Gore, Cuomo, Bradley, or someone else entirely.
 
If nominated, then Ford/Rumsfeld would probably win unless Carter secures the "October Surprise" release of the hostages he needed to win in OTL. Barring that, Ford is sworn in for a second non consecutive term in 1981 and serves until 1985, as he wouldn't be constitutionally allowed to run again in 1984. This means Rumsfeld is the heir apparent and he probably beats Mondale, as well as Dukakis (or someone else) in 1988. By 1992 however, the Democrats would be poised to regain the Presidency under Clinton, Gore, Cuomo, Bradley, or someone else entirely.
I wonder what the implications of Rumsfeld being President during the Persian Gulf War would be. Would he go into Iraq?
 
I wonder what the implications of Rumsfeld being President during the Persian Gulf War would be. Would he go into Iraq?

If not then the international community would condemn him as an appeaser and the Democrats definitely win in 1992. If Rummy does go in, then I think he overthrows Hussein and Mess-O-Potemia happens twelve years early.
 
Why are we assuming the Gulf War happens?

Before the war OTL the Iraqis asked for permission to invade. The US supposedly thought they only wanted to invade Bubiyan island and thus opted not to say no. Whoops!
 
I wonder how catastrophically Rumsfeld presidency would handle the crumbling Soviet Union and fall of communism...
 
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