President Ford, President Reagan

So a Ford victory has been talked about a fair bit with the usual electoral result being some Democrat winning the 1980 election.

How about something different? Ford winning will strengthen (though not restore) more moderate Republicanism and holds the potential of butterflying supply-side economics (with good consequences for US debt).


But let's say Reagan ekes out a victory despite the economic problems of the US. He probably doesn't get as many Congressional seats with him so he'll be a little more constrained than in OTL.

His foreign policy is probably similar but what would a domestic policy influenced by more moderate "balance the budget" Republicanism look like?

Perhaps a different "industrial state" VP could influence Reagan's approach to American industry—could the US, like Japan, retain an industrial base while still supporting some free trade?
 
Question, is Bob Dole still Ford's running mate in '76 or did he keep Nelson Rockefeller?
 
Question, is Bob Dole still Ford's running mate in '76 or did he keep Nelson Rockefeller?

I'm just sticking with the simple POD that Ford's climb in the polls is slightly faster than OTL, and therefore he wins. (Frankly Ford couldn't possibly keep Rockefeller, which is why he dumped him for Dole. Note that Dole, though very conservative and meant in '76 to appease the base, was considered not conservative enough by '88 because he supported—among other things—balanced budgets and food stamps.)

Which would strengthen, in some sense, both moderate Republicanism and conservative non-supply-sider Republicanism. It would also help Dole in the '80 primaries, but probably not enough for him to beat Reagan. It might crowd out Bush, though, leaving Reagan's VP slot open.
 
I'd say the exit of the Rockefeller Republicans to the Democrats is quicker. Perhaps they have a last gasp of sorts in the 1980 primary after that the more moderate-to liberal wing of the party joins the Dems especially in light of the Reganite victory.

But what about the energy crisis and the Iran Hostage Crisis. Wouldn't this give Democrat nominee Ted Kennedy more of an advantage over Regan?
 
I'm just sticking with the simple POD that Ford's climb in the polls is slightly faster than OTL, and therefore he wins. (Frankly Ford couldn't possibly keep Rockefeller, which is why he dumped him for Dole. Note that Dole, though very conservative and meant in '76 to appease the base, was considered not conservative enough by '88 because he supported—among other things—balanced budgets and food stamps.)

Which would strengthen, in some sense, both moderate Republicanism and conservative non-supply-sider Republicanism. It would also help Dole in the '80 primaries, but probably not enough for him to beat Reagan. It might crowd out Bush, though, leaving Reagan's VP slot open.

Hmm...This is a rather interesting scenario, that really hasn't been talked about on this board. I do really think it would be hard for Reagan to win in
80,even if Ford is able to handle the economic crisis and the Hostage situation in Iran alot better than Carter in OTL. But If annyone is able to seperate himself from Ford enough in the public's eyes if probably will be Reagan. He probably easily snatches the nomination from Dole, and I think to appeal to the Rockefeller Republicans of the Party and secure someone from the Industrial States, I think a Reagan ticket, with John B. Anderson would be particularly strong. But Im not an expert of late 70s to early 80's politics.

The only way for the democrats not to win, Is if they nominate another Mcgovern like candidate that looks ridicously soft to Reagan staunch conservatisim. Or even more so, I could easily see that in TTL, that Teddy after pumping himself up to become his party's front runner decides not to run in 1980 to get his affairs and his family in order. That leaves the Democrats in dissaray as the field opens up to a wide field of candidates, non of which possess enough appeal to beat Reagan...

So perphaps Idaho Senator Frank Church, or Governor Brown are more successful and take a crack it. Loosing to Reagan is the easy part(But not automatic after 12 years of Republican dominance), getting them to win the primaries is the hard part.
 
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