2000 scenario.

[Lincoln Republican]

I am going to have to break with popular opinion and go with a big Gore victory.

I do not believe the south would go with two northeast candidates like Powell and Almond. 

Simply put, the south would not cast their votes in large enough numbers for a black candidate.  Powell would have attracted a larger share of the black vote, however, by in large, the black voters would remain predominantly loyal to the Democrats.

Gore is as well able to win in traditionally Democratic states in the north, midwest, and west coast. 

Nunn helps Gore in the south and does not hurt him in the north and midwest.  Almond does not add anything to the Powell ticket. 

Gore/Nunn                 363
Powell/Almond           175

[Lincoln Republican]

I am going to have to break with popular opinion and go with a big Gore victory.

I do not believe the south would go with two northeast candidates like Powell and Almond. 

Simply put, the south would not cast their votes in large enough numbers for a black candidate.  Powell would have attracted a larger share of the black vote, however, by in large, the black voters would remain predominantly loyal to the Democrats.

Gore is as well able to win in traditionally Democratic states in the north, midwest, and west coast. 

Gore/Nunn                 363
Powell/Almond           175

WOW!

You don't think Powell would play big to swing states like Florida, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Minnesota?

I agree Powell is not as strong as Bush or McCain would perfrom in the south but Powell probably would do better with swing states and independent voters.

I agree Powell would have run better than Bush among independents in 2000, and the following map shows my best result for Powell, where he takes Iowa, Michigan, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania in addition to the previous result.  Gore still wins.

These additional states would have been competitive, certainly, but Gore would still have had a good chance of winning them.

People would have looked at Gore's extensive political experience and weighed that against Powell's military experience, and would have come to the conclusion that Gore was more prepared to be President.

Gore/Nunn                 303
Powell/Almond           235