Reagan-Ford “Dream Ticket” — who runs in ‘88?

So, it’s pretty well known that during the Republican National Convention in 1980, Ronald Reagan held talks with former President Gerald Ford about Ford taking the VP slot on the Republican ticket — the so-called “dream ticket.” There were tensions, and Ford ultimately said no, but it got very close to happening.

( Good account of that here: https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/09/the-dynasty-that-almost-wasnt-213150 )

Now, a Reagan-Ford ticket’s not gonna make much of a difference in the fall election (the Reagan Revolution will come all the same) but some things I’m unsure of:

1) The effect of a former POTUS in the Vice Presidency

2) The working relationship of Reagan and Ford (Reagan and Bush didn’t like each other during the election, but warmed after Reagan’s near death experience)

3) What happens to Bush. Does he take a place (State Department? Energy?) in the Reagan Cabinet, or does he go back to Texas? Or retire from politics altogether?

And more consequentially

4) Who runs as Reagan’s successor in ‘88? Without becoming Vice President, Bush won’t become nearly as attractive a candidate, especially for the Reaganite Camp, as he was IRL. And with Ford at the age 75 in 1988, and having already been there, he might not even want to take a swing at the top job.

What do y’all think?
 
1. Not good. The idea of a "co-presidency" doomed the Dream Ticket and it just wasn't going to work. As a former President, Ford would have an inappropriate amount of influence in the administration and this would undermine Reagan's ability to govern.

2. Poor. You'd see a power struggle in the administration, with the result of Ford's loyalists being fired and replaced by Reagan's men. Once this happens Ford would be unhappy with being a powerless ceremonial figure and the unneeded drama would hurt Reagan politically.

3. I believe Ford wanted Kissinger at State in exchange for his place on the ticket, so maybe Bush goes back to the CIA or he heads a different Department.

4. Bush never becomes President, unless Reagan chooses him to replace Ford in 1984. I think it's more likely that Howard Baker or someone else outside of the administration is chosen however.
 
So, it’s pretty well known that during the Republican National Convention in 1980, Ronald Reagan held talks with former President Gerald Ford about Ford taking the VP slot on the Republican ticket — the so-called “dream ticket.” There were tensions, and Ford ultimately said no, but it got very close to happening.

( Good account of that here: https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/09/the-dynasty-that-almost-wasnt-213150 )

Now, a Reagan-Ford ticket’s not gonna make much of a difference in the fall election (the Reagan Revolution will come all the same) but some things I’m unsure of:

1) The effect of a former POTUS in the Vice Presidency

2) The working relationship of Reagan and Ford (Reagan and Bush didn’t like each other during the election, but warmed after Reagan’s near death experience)

3) What happens to Bush. Does he take a place (State Department? Energy?) in the Reagan Cabinet, or does he go back to Texas? Or retire from politics altogether?

And more consequentially

4) Who runs as Reagan’s successor in ‘88? Without becoming Vice President, Bush won’t become nearly as attractive a candidate, especially for the Reaganite Camp, as he was IRL. And with Ford at the age 75 in 1988, and having already been there, he might not even want to take a swing at the top job.

What do y’all think?
After losing to Jimmy Carter in '76 Ford probably didn't have much credibility as a possible Veep. And what would he have brought to the ticket that Bush Sr. didn't?
 
So, it’s pretty well known that during the Republican National Convention in 1980, Ronald Reagan held talks with former President Gerald Ford about Ford taking the VP slot on the Republican ticket — the so-called “dream ticket.” There were tensions, and Ford ultimately said no, but it got very close to happening.

( Good account of that here: https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/09/the-dynasty-that-almost-wasnt-213150 )

Now, a Reagan-Ford ticket’s not gonna make much of a difference in the fall election (the Reagan Revolution will come all the same) but some things I’m unsure of:

1) The effect of a former POTUS in the Vice Presidency

2) The working relationship of Reagan and Ford (Reagan and Bush didn’t like each other during the election, but warmed after Reagan’s near death experience)

3) What happens to Bush. Does he take a place (State Department? Energy?) in the Reagan Cabinet, or does he go back to Texas? Or retire from politics altogether?

And more consequentially

4) Who runs as Reagan’s successor in ‘88? Without becoming Vice President, Bush won’t become nearly as attractive a candidate, especially for the Reaganite Camp, as he was IRL. And with Ford at the age 75 in 1988, and having already been there, he might not even want to take a swing at the top job.

What do y’all think?

I'm not sure why Ford, assuming he lasts as VP through two terms, wouldn't run again in 1988. Yes, he'd be term limited to just one term, but OTL he was very clearly interested in running again in 1980 (when the same restriction would have applied).

Of course, this means that, assuming he wins, his VP or someone else would be the nominee in 1992. Maybe he picks Jack Kemp as his running mate?
 
After losing to Jimmy Carter in '76 Ford probably didn't have much credibility as a possible Veep. And what would he have brought to the ticket that Bush Sr. didn't?

Ford's presence might actually weaken the ticket - he brings along the baggage of his own presidency, and the tension between Ford and Reagan (who the former blamed for his loss in 1976) would be difficult to hide on the campaign trail. It Reagan/Ford wins, it would be by a narrower electoral margin that has smaller coattails in Congress.
 
I'm not sure why Ford, assuming he lasts as VP through two terms, wouldn't run again in 1988. Yes, he'd be term limited to just one term, but OTL he was very clearly interested in running again in 1980 (when the same restriction would have applied).


I mean, even if he was interested, he still chose not to run in '80, when he very well could have. I don't think Ford was a guy with the kind burning ambition to be president we see in other politicians -- not that he disliked it -- and at an advanced age, having spent so long close to power, I think he'd probably say "I'm retiring" in that scenario. But I could be convinced otherwise.

Ford's presence might actually weaken the ticket - he brings along the baggage of his own presidency, and the tension between Ford and Reagan (who the former blamed for his loss in 1976) would be difficult to hide on the campaign trail. It Reagan/Ford wins, it would be by a narrower electoral margin that has smaller coattails in Congress.

This I'm not too sure of -- Gallup polls in July of '80 had Ford favored as VP over Bush among Republicans and Independents 31 to 20. There'd definitely be questions raised about actions taken during his Presidency, and it might prove an overwhelming distraction BUT he could possibly also ameliorate the concerns of more moderate conservatives (Anderson voters) about Reagan's extremism and lack of Washington experience. Bush helped with those voters, but the benefit was probably not too great because he was more of a blank slate -- he didn't hurt the ticket at all, but probably helped only a little (I reckon).

Has anyone ever written a timeline with this as a POD? Could be fun.
 
My first thought on this:

Presidential debate:

REAGAN: "Are you better off now than you were four years ago?"

CARTER: "Ask your Vice-Presidential nominee that."
 
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