WI: Jimmy Carter does not seek reelection

So what If Jimmy decided to pull a LBJ and not seek his party's nomination in 1980? Does Teddy still run against Mondale? If he does could he beat Mondale for the Democratic nomination? Might Carter be able to end the Hostage crisis sooner than in OTL, without the burden of having to run a nation campaign at the same time? How might a Reagan vs. Kennedy or Mondale vs Anderson electoral map turn out? Might Anderson be able to pick up a few electoral votes, as he would be able to pick up many more moderate voters? What effects might it have later on? Please discuss:)
 
kennedy may be able to make it a closer race than IOTL. I think a victory is possible for him, but not necessarily likely. A lot comes down to who his running mate is. Cannot think of any clear pick, but Bentsen, Jackson, and Udall all come to mind.
 
Ted Kennedy in 1980 maybe? I'd vote for him.

I tend to side with those who think Teddy really didn't want to run in '80 but was forced to by what he saw as Carter ineptitude and inpotence. With a liberal Senator like Mondale in the running, I think Teddy would feel more comfortable throwing his support behind Fritz. But when your dealing with a Kennedy is hard to know for sure, what there going to do
 
kennedy may be able to make it a closer race than IOTL. I think a victory is possible for him, but not necessarily likely. A lot comes down to who his running mate is. Cannot think of any clear pick, but Bentsen, Jackson, and Udall all come to mind.

If Teddy decides against running..I still think you have an interesting race as you will probably end up with Vice President Mondale, Governor Jerry Brown, Senator William Proxmire, Governor Cliff Finch, and Governor Hugh Carey. I do believe that the race would be grueling, but somehow Mondale pulls a Humphrey and ends up on top at the convention. Although wanting to pick a minority or female running mate, he is pressured by Carter's people to pick a Southerner. He goes with tough priamry opponent, populist Governor Cliff Finch of Mississippi.
 
I tend to side with those who think Teddy really didn't want to run in '80 but was forced to by what he saw as Carter ineptitude and inpotence. With a liberal Senator like Mondale in the running, I think Teddy would feel more comfortable throwing his support behind Fritz. But when your dealing with a Kennedy is hard to know for sure, what there going to do

Indeed. In fact the Anybody But Carter movement attempted to get Mondale to run because they couldn't find a suitable non-Kennedy candidate.

He [Mondale] goes with tough priamry opponent, populist Governor Cliff Finch of Mississippi.

Oh, Finch. Nice.

If Carter withdraws in 1979 than Kennedy won't run, in my not terribly humble opinion and Mondale wins. If, however, Carter withdraws sometime in 1980 (let's say Kennedy takes Iowa, for the moment) than Kennedy is stuck in the race. He can beat anybody but Mondale, but will Mondale run in these circumstances? I dunno.
 
Indeed. In fact the Anybody But Carter movement attempted to get Mondale to run because they couldn't find a suitable non-Kennedy candidate.



Oh, Finch. Nice.

If Carter withdraws in 1979 than Kennedy won't run, in my not terribly humble opinion and Mondale wins. If, however, Carter withdraws sometime in 1980 (let's say Kennedy takes Iowa, for the moment) than Kennedy is stuck in the race. He can beat anybody but Mondale, but will Mondale run in these circumstances? I dunno.

Hmm...I think under the scenario that Jimmy withdraws in '79, I think Mondale would be pushed into running by party leadership. The Democratic Race however becomes just as interesting as the Republican race was in otl. Kennedy and the Party Leadership will most likely throw their support behind Fritz. If Mondale brings in Jimmy's '76 primary campaign team, there's no question he won't be able to clinch the nomination. Winning the general in my opinion would be the hard part. Do you think it's likely that Mondale would choose Finch? Or does he go with a minority or a woman and what are some good choices if he decides to go that route?

What effect would it have on The Republican Nomination battle? If a liberal like Mondale/Kennedy is seen as the frontrunner, might the GOP go with more of a moderate like George H.W. Bush, John B. Anderson or even Howard Baker? I still think Reagan probably wins it by a hair, but he may go with a different running mate if his battle between Bush is particularly nasty? What are some other potential running mates for Ronnie?

If Anderson runs as strong as he did in the start of the campaign(He was polling 25% at one point). He could very well win a handful of states, probaby weakening Mondale in the Northeast and Reagan in the Mountain west. He could potentially throw the election to the House, where Mondale wins. Not really a mandate to govern on lol
 
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