I can't imagine a scenario where I run against Razze as an independent, so here's a fun one:
It's 1980. The Communist Party has ruled the U.S. for the past four years, ever since their shocking victories in the 1974 midterms and the 1976 Presidential election. However, America's democracy is strong and its constitution still stands- the Communists tried, but did not yet manage to overturn it and turn the U.S. into an autocracy. Sensing the need, the pro-democracy, liberal forces in the country merge into the Democratic-Republican Party. Now, in 1980, the primary is heating up to decide who will face President Gus Hall in the general election. There are three candidates: TCG (DR-GA), running as a staunch conservative in the mold of the imprisoned Ronald Reagan, promising to strike down Communism in any means necessary and erase the past four years completely. Parrotguy (DR-NY) is running from the (relative) center, promising to combat Communism and make sure the U.S. remains a liberal democracy, but agreeing to keep some of the "achievements" of President Hall like universal healthcare and some of the free education system. Razze (DR-FL) is running from the party's relative left, promising to return the U.S. to liberal democracy but also advocating for a social democratic system, agreeing to keep some of what Hall did (more than Parrotguy) and allowing the Communist Party to remain legal (the other two want to outlaw it). This is the primary map:
The convention is tense from the start. Razze and Parrotguy strike a deal, as the latter endorses the former in exchange for a spot on the ticket. Trying to prevent a conservative revolt, the three candidates hold a meeting in which Parrotguy assures TCG that he will make sure America remains a fundamentally capitalist nation while Razze offers him the SoS spot. Seeing the grave need to combat the communists, TCG agrees and endorses the ticket, campaigning for it vigorously. As a bonus, general election map:
Razze (DR-FL)\Parrotguy (DR-NY): 47.8%, 277 electoral votes ✓President Gus Hall (CP-OH)\Vice President Jarvis Tyner (CP-NY): 45.4%, 261 electoral votesOthers (mainly conservative and socialist 3rd parties): 6.8%
Yay, the country is saved, now we can keep fighting
I'm not saying TCG should make the next post in a 1988 general election between Vice President Parrotguy and himself, but he totally should