My Prediction:
Gov. Hugh Carey (D-NY) / Sen. Lloyd Bentsen (D-TX): 344 EV, 52% PVFmr. Gov. Ronald Reagan (R-CA) / Defense Sec. Donald Rumsfeld (R-IL): 194 EV, 47% PVReagan beats Dole for the nomination on the Republican side. He came close to beating Ford for it in '76 I see no reason why he wouldn't beat a weaker Bob Dole. Carey seems like the best candidate for Democrats in 1980 in a Ford wins '76 scenario as Teddy never wanted to be President, Askew and Bumpers are out with Carter's "New South" appeal failing in '76, Hart and Glenn are up for re election that year, Scoop Jackson is too hawkish for the base, and Mondale will have the stench of Carter. Bentsen is a good ticket balancer for him to.
