How would a Defeated Mario Cuomo be Remembered?

Let's say Governor Mario Cuomo of New York wins the Democratic nomination in either the United States Presidential Election of 1988 or 1992. How would he be remembered if he lost either election to George H. W. Bush? If he lost in 1988, would he still run for re-election in 1990? If he lost in 1992, could he defeat George Pataki, given that the 1994 Republican Revolution is butterflied? I only wanted to explore this subject more because I felt a degree of sadness he lost at the state level rather than the national level. How would this affect Andrew Cuomo's career?
 
He'd be remembered like any other Democratic loser such as Carter, Mondale, and Dukakis. At the absolute best he'd be a footnote in political history.
 
I doubt that he would have lost in 1992 (he might lose a few southern and border states Clinton carried but he could win without them).

In 1988 he probably would have lost--and people would say that Dukakis (among others) would have done better...
 
In 1988 he probably would have lost--and people would say that Dukakis (among others) would have done better...

I disagree here. The Democrats were originally favored to win that year (yes, Dukakis's infamous 17 point lead had already evaporated by the time of the GOP convention, but his many mistakes caused his support to drop continuously throughout the general campaign) and they probably would've won had they run a charismatic candidate who could wage an aggressive campaign against Bush. That said, the final results would be fairly narrow along the lines of 1976.
 
I disagree here. The Democrats were originally favored to win that year (yes, Dukakis's infamous 17 point lead had already evaporated by the time of the GOP convention, but his many mistakes caused his support to drop continuously throughout the general campaign) and they probably would've won had they run a charismatic candidate who could wage an aggressive campaign against Bush. That said, the final results would be fairly narrow along the lines of 1976.

FWIW, a 1986 Harris Poll (that's early of course, but Cuomo withdrew from consideration in February 1987) showed Bush beating Cuomo 54-42 while Hart was beating Bush 54-43. Yes, I know--early polls, name recognition, etc. but Cuomo's name was not nationally unknown in 1986... https://theharrispoll.com/wp-conten...88-PRESIDENTIAL-RACE-UP-FOR-GRABS-1986-04.pdf
 
FWIW, a 1986 Harris Poll (that's early of course, but Cuomo withdrew from consideration in February 1987) showed Bush beating Cuomo 54-42 while Hart was beating Bush 54-43. Yes, I know--early polls, name recognition, etc. but Cuomo's name was not nationally unknown in 1986... https://theharrispoll.com/wp-conten...88-PRESIDENTIAL-RACE-UP-FOR-GRABS-1986-04.pdf

I imagine that if Cuomo ran in 1988, Atwater would spread rumors about his supposed mob ties. It would also be every easy for Cuomo to make the same mistake Dukakis made - remain above the fray and not respond to Bush's dirty campaign.
 
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