WI: McCain wins 2000, no 9/11 or anything similar

Would McCain get re-elected in 2004? Who would the Democratic nominee be?
Most believe that with no 9/11 attacks, whomever is President between 2001-2005 suffers from greater press being given to the Early 2000s Recession. There may have been a limited military campaign against Iraq, if Saddam Hussein does something to garner negative press, such as attacking the Shiites and/or the Kurds. Nonetheless, I don't believe it would be a full scale invasion. With no 9/11, the Democratic Party most likely wins big in the 2002 Midterm Elections. The Democrats probably nominate a candidate more focused on domestic issues. Perhaps Dick Gephardt? If the 2002 Midterms go well for the Democrats, Gephardt is probably elected Speaker of the House in 2003, and therefore does not run for President. Maybe Howard Dean, who had experience as a governor. Because McCain is fairly weak in the economic arena, and conservatives would probably feel alienated by moderate compromises made, McCain most likely loses re-election in the US Presidential Election of 2004. However, whomever wins in 2004 drinks a poisoned chalice, which includes a hurricane season and the Late 2000s Recession.
 
Most believe that with no 9/11 attacks, whomever is President between 2001-2005 suffers from greater press being given to the Early 2000s Recession. There may have been a limited military campaign against Iraq, if Saddam Hussein does something to garner negative press, such as attacking the Shiites and/or the Kurds. Nonetheless, I don't believe it would be a full scale invasion. With no 9/11, the Democratic Party most likely wins big in the 2002 Midterm Elections. The Democrats probably nominate a candidate more focused on domestic issues. Perhaps Dick Gephardt? If the 2002 Midterms go well for the Democrats, Gephardt is probably elected Speaker of the House in 2003, and therefore does not run for President. Maybe Howard Dean, who had experience as a governor. Because McCain is fairly weak in the economic arena, and conservatives would probably feel alienated by moderate compromises made, McCain most likely loses re-election in the US Presidential Election of 2004. However, whomever wins in 2004 drinks a poisoned chalice, which includes a hurricane season and the Late 2000s Recession.
So Renquit and O'Connor would be replaced by liberal justices. That would an interesting chalice to drink.
 
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