WI: Reagan dies during surgery in 1985?

Bomster

Banned
On July 13, 1985 Ronald Reagan had a colon surgery to remove polyps. What if, somehow, the Ol’ Gipper died during his operation, leaving George H.W. Bush as the President of the United States? How would the rest of the 1980’s and the present be affected by this?
 
On July 13, 1985 Ronald Reagan had a colon surgery to remove polyps. What if, somehow, the Ol’ Gipper died during his operation, leaving George H.W. Bush as the President of the United States? How would the rest of the 1980’s and the present be affected by this?
Would bush be reelected or would fumble? the issue dukakis was a walking gaffe machine..
 

SsgtC

Banned
I think he pretty easily wins reelection in 88. IIRC, Reagan and Bush pretty much agreed on foreign policy and domestic issues. So I don't see big policy changes over OTL. Not sure how Bush would handle the Iran-Contra Affair though. To me, I think the big changes are in 1992. With no incumbent running (and likely no broken promises about taxes), the GOP could have a real shot at winning. I was 8 in 92, so I don't even know if Clinton would still run or not.
 
Another interesting question is, who would Bush pick as his VP? I'd say Jack Kemp would be a wise choice, both for regional balance and keeping with the tax/regulation slashing theme of Reagan's Administration.
 
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