WI: Moderate Republican Elected in 1980

I think that a good POD for this WI would be if Reagan suffered some sort of debilitating health problem during the 1980 primaries, resulting in his ineligibility. Instead, a moderate Republican ends up getting the nomination and wins with at least 300 electoral votes, since Carter is disliked. How does this affect the 1980s economically, politically and culturally?
 
It would be difficult for the moderate to oppose the Tax and Budget cuts. He probably would work better with Soviets. In the good economic times of 1984, he, it would almost certainly be a he, would win reelection. Jack Kemp or some other conservative would probably have been his running mate. The conservatives would rally to his support in 1988.
 
There would be no 'Reaganomics' which moved economic policy in America quite a bit to the right. So if Reagan was never elected America would probably be less fiscally conservative.
 
There would be no 'Reaganomics' which moved economic policy in America quite a bit to the right. So if Reagan was never elected America would probably be less fiscally conservative.

Well, I think you'd have fiscal conservatism manifest itself in a different way.

For instance, if Bush (who derided Reagan's "voodoo economics") comes into office, then you'd probably have smaller tax cuts, but still increases in defense spending and maybe decreases in domestic spending. Bush would probably aim for a balanced budget, and so America might be imbued with a more green-lampshade, balanced-budget, and "fiscally responsible" sort of fiscal conservatism.
 
Ever heard of a lady named Lynn Morley Martin?

The thing is,in 1980 she wouldn't have a chance. In fact,only white men would have a chance due to the politics at the time unless you have some PoDs that give women rights earlier or grant civil rights earlier.
 
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