A much closer election between Reagan and Udall, than between Reagan and Carter, however, the conservative/moderate ticket of Reagan/Bush defeats the very liberal ticket of Udall/Mondale.
The U.S. economy is stagnant, and even though President Udall handles the Iran hostage situation well, the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan resulted in serious setbacks for the U.S.
As well, the independent candidacy of the ticket of liberal Republican John Anderson and liberal Democrat Patrick Lucey, draws votes away from liberals Udall and Mondale.
Instead of Reagan 489, Carter 49
Tally is Reagan 305, Udall 233
You can't apply a 2004 type map to 1980. Udall would be a lot more likely to win Missouri than Vermont.
