Well, not Carter. Democrats would have been hesitant with nominating a southern democrat again after Carter's loss, which may even butterfly Clinton away, but that's for a separate scenario. Some would turn to Ted Kennedy, but, like Amadeus said, didn't really want to run in 80, not to mention Chappaquiddick. Carey would be a strong option for the nomination, so I will keep him in mind as well. Mondale could be a strong option as well. He could take his narrow loss in 1976 as an opportunity, running in 1980 like Edmund Muskie did in 1972. Another option would have been Muskie himself. He was considered for the nomination as a compromise candidate, so it wouldn't be too much of a surprise. Reubin Askew would have been great as well. There still would have been Jerry Brown and Cliff Finch, both irl candidates. And as Amadeus also mentioned, Birch Bayh, but i don't expect him to take the offer, as he was running for re-election in the Senate, not to mention his wife's passing. Other options could be Lloyd Bentsen, Dale Bumpers, Scoop Jackson, Frank Church, and Fritz Hollings. As I am a big fan of maps, Im going to make a primary map of 1980, with all the candidates I have listed.View attachment 460914 According to this map I made, the nomination goes to either Mondale or Carey, with Reubin Askew in a close third. Both could easily take advantage of Reagan in 1980, but i feel Mondale would have a better shot, as he was more charismatic.
Mondale is an good man who served honorably in politics.
But charismatic he wasnt.