A New America Series - 1976 General Election

[Maxwell]

A New America Series - 1976 General Election

President Hatfield's win in the convention led him to a similar general election to before. Former President George McGovern won yet another nomination to the Presidency, but this time reached his hand out to the South with his pick of reform Governor Albert Brewer. Not to be out-done, President Hatfield, instead of going with Senator Donald Rumsfeld to appease conservatives, kept Howard Baker on the ticket in hopes that his regional advantage would help him in the battle ground area.

McGovern was the most left-wing Democrat in his contest, and in his convention speech vowed to every day fight for American workers and make sure the poor and middle class have room to prosper. Pro-Civil Rights, Pro-choice, pro-busing, McGovern's plans for another term would be to halt the rapid inflation, create a Department of Education, enact strict gun control, and halt Hatfield's tax credit program in favor of a more conventional stimulus package. McGovern also plans to take it to Congress to pass universal healthcare. He has criticized Hatfield for not being up to the job and taking the side of the conservative wing of his party too often.

Hatfield is running for a second term on the premise that his policies have worked, but there is more to come. Hatfield is running a slightly more right-wing campaign than in 1972 due to the fact that the conservative wing of the party is breathing down his neck, and Hatfield's plan for the next four years includes cutting the budget, lowering the top tax rate, fighting crime, and ending waste in government. Nevertheless, Hatfield also champions his mature approach to the issues rather than the reactionary ways of both the Democratic Party and the Constitution Party candidates.

The moderate Republican ticket outraged some conservatives even with Reagan's blockbuster speech in favor of the ticket, and the newly founded right-libertarian Constitution Party is running Congressman Larry McDonald. McDonald has criticized the two frontrunners as "two apples from the big government tree" and has vowed to reign in the government to its constitutional limits by downsizing the government and repealing unconstitutional laws.

[Maxwell]

Hatfield, anyways is Roe v Wade a thing now.

Yes Roe V. Wade was decided as it was in real life, though with a slightly narrower ruling of 6-3.

[Maxwell]

Wow, that's a good third-party result for a really far-right party.

Because we are on the internet, we have a lot of former/current Paul supporters, plus we always have the vote spoiling factor.

[Maxwell]

That too but I felt with a second election of Hatfield v. McGovern, the conservative rage against the two probably builds up too much for there not to be a significant third party challenge.

There are a couple constitution party candidates in 1976, as well as some ally's -

In California, Former Senator Al Bell was expected to win nomination against John Tunney, but lost to Paul Gann, ally of Howard Jarvis and endorsing McDonald over Hatfield. Gann and Tunney are basically tied at the moment.

In Indiana, Republican nominee Dave Dennis, a fictionial State Rep, endorsed McDonald over Hatfield. Bayh currently holds a narrow lead over Dennis.

In Michigan, Senator Charles Potter, a moderate, is in third against Democrat Congressman Donald Reigle and construction worker John Williams (fictionial), running under the constitution party. Reigle leads Williams, but only narrowly.

In Minnesota, a young Allen Quist is running against Moderate Republican Senator Al Quie and Democrat Lieutenant Governor Alec Olson. Quie is the decided favorite to win his seat.

In Nebraska, Doctor Rick Davis (fictionial) is running in second place against Moderate Republican Ed Zorinsky and hopeless democrat Bob Dowd (fictionial). Zorinsky is the favorite though, as he has appeal with most conservative Republicans and some moderate democrats off-put by Dowd's embarrassing campaign.

In New York, Constitutionial Party member James Buckley is leading Senator Richard Ottinger (D) and Republican State Senator Gary Harrison (R, Fictionial).

[Maxwell]

McGovern nor Kennedy would've prevented Larry McDonald from running.

Sam Yorty might've, though

[Maxwell]

McGovern nor Kennedy would've prevented Larry McDonald from running.

Sam Yorty might've, though

Reagan?

Oh yeah Reagan no, McDonald would've dropped out due to a lack of traction.

[Maxwell]

That's about where I've imagined this race too, albeit with some states switched around (NH going for the Right Libertarian Constitution Party, while Nebraska and Kansas remaining loyal to their Republican roots, as well as Kentucky and Tennessee switching places due to Baker's home state advantage.)

[Maxwell]

Giving this another hour and a half, wow this is an exciting election.

[Maxwell]

Giving this another hour and a half, wow this is an exciting election.

Will this go to the House?

If it's within 2% but not a tie, I'll roll on it (4 out of 6, whoever is leading wins). If it's a tie, it will go to the House, but the way the House and Senate is currently formed, I can't imagine Larry McDonald winning.

[Maxwell]

Probably the end of McGovern and his style.

[Maxwell]

A New America Series - 1976 General Election

1976 proved to be a turning point for the Democratic Party. The two major candidates, President Mark Hatfield and Former President George McGovern, had fought in the previous election with few ideological differences. President Hatfield, while personally respected, is generally unpopular due to the lack of success of his administration, and McGovern's tenure in office proved isolating, ideologically driven, and ultimately resulted in his loss of re-election. The two unpopular frontrunners and bastions of moderate/liberal policies proved too much for conservative voters, as Congressman Larry McDonald ran a very successful campaign. Prior to the debates, McDonald trailed at 14%, behind Hatfield, at 36%, and McGovern at 40%. This proved to be a pivotal point in the election. McDonald looked, calm, informed, and level-headed, even as his policy statements proved extreme to some voters. McGovern, on the other hand, began to falter, showing a lack of preparation and an inability to defend himself from the criticism that he would be the President of "Amnesty, Acid, and Abortion".

After that, Hatfield, realizing he would lose a substantial amount of Republicans, began running a centrist campaign that appealed to college educated whites, minorities, moderate Democrats and moderate independents. Hatfield's coalition proved big enough to win him an election against the insurgent McDonald, but McDonald managed some surprising victories nevertheless - He beat the Democratic candidate McGovern by a substantial margin in the electoral college, and elected several of his very conservative allies to the Senate, whether under his party name or not (like Senator-elect John Williams, former construction worker actually registered in the Constitution Party, or Senator-elect Paul Gann, a registered Republican who endorsed McDonald over Hatfield).

President Mark Hatfield (R-OR)/Vice President Howard Baker (R-TN) - 36.7%, 286 EV's
Congressman Larry McDonald (C-GA)/Congressman Ron Paul (C-TX) - 34.7%, 231 EV's
Former President George McGovern (D-SD)/Governor Albert Brewer (D-AL) - 28.6%, 21 EV's