Senator Robert Dole Defeated in 1974

While Bob Dole had a long career in the United States Senate, he came dangerously close to defeat in the 1974 election, largely thanks to the years anti-republican sentiment stemming largely, though perhaps not entirely, from Watergate. This was, as far as I can tell, the closest of all of Dole's Senate election victories. So, let's say this close election swings the other way, Dole is, by a very narrow margin, thrown out of the Senate after only two years. What impact, if any, does this have on the following decades of American politics? And what kind of career would Bob Dole pursue after losing his seat in the Senate? Governor Dole?
 
I could easily see Dole as a Governor if his Senate term ends abruptly, or at least he tries to run to the other Senate seat or to seek a rematch later. Maybe in this case he could become Reagan's Secretary of Agriculture...

First of all: either Helms or Laxalt become Ford's running mate in 1976. If nothing is butterflied away, then Kemp has a sizeable chance of clinching the nomination in 1996.
 
I could easily see Dole as a Governor if his Senate term ends abruptly, or at least he tries to run to the other Senate seat or to seek a rematch later. Maybe in this case he could become Reagan's Secretary of Agriculture...

First of all: either Helms or Laxalt become Ford's running mate in 1976. If nothing is butterflied away, then Kemp has a sizeable chance of clinching the nomination in 1996.

HELMS? I hope not.
 
Phil Crane might be an interesting choice. I could also see somebody like Bill Brock.
Elliot Richardson would also be a strong possibility (he was considered a potential '76 candidate, but bowed out in part because he didn't want to run against Ford).

As for Dole himself I imagine he might take another run at the Senate. I don't think he really wanted to be Governor unless that seemed more likely to get him to the Presidency (and Governor of Kansas kinda doesn't).
 
Ford has another running mate from the. Conservative wing of the
GOP who does not talk about Democratic wars. That helps Ford.
 
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