Reagan Versus Peck-1970

In the 1970 gubernatorial race in California, Gregory Peck was urged by some within the Democratic Party to run against incumbent Governor Ronald Reagan. He refused. But what if he hadn't, and had defeated Reagan in election? How would this setback in Reagan's political career have affected his later rise to the Presidency? And how would Gregory Peck have done as a politician? Could the Reagan/Peck rivalry have moved from the State to the National stage? It might be interesting to contemplate Peck winning the Democratic nomination in 1976 instead of Carter, winning the election, then running against Reagan in 1980.
 
In the 1970 gubernatorial race in California, Gregory Peck was urged by some within the Democratic Party to run against incumbent Governor Ronald Reagan. He refused. But what if he hadn't, and had defeated Reagan in election? How would this setback in Reagan's political career have affected his later rise to the Presidency? And how would Gregory Peck have done as a politician? Could the Reagan/Peck rivalry have moved from the State to the National stage? It might be interesting to contemplate Peck winning the Democratic nomination in 1976 instead of Carter, winning the election, then running against Reagan in 1980.

Hmm...Interesting scenario Robert, I think if there was annyone who could beat Ronnie in the 1970 Gubnetorial Race it would have been the great Humanitarian Gregory Peck. Peck could pull off a very narrow win or a narrow loss; it's just how the Reagan campaign reacts to his canidacy. He might do better running for Senator against Brown and Tunney in '70 in my opinon, using his support from liberals and minorities as a base. If he can win the governership or a senate seat than he probably automatically becomes the frontrunner in '76? Could a Governor/Senator Peck beat Carter in the primaries though...
 
I think that Gregory Peck would be more than capable of beating Jimmy Carter in the primaries. He had the ability to inspire his supporters and I think that most of the democrat pros would rally around him.
 
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