1988: Brown/Gore vs. Kemp/Robertson

[Del Tachi]

In mid-1987, George H.W. Bush announces that he will not seek the presidency in 1988.  The Republican primary is now wide open and the Democrats feel as energized as ever.  Due to higher Democratic turnout and a more moderate field of candidates, young, charismatic California govenor Jerry Brown is able to squeak out a narrow primary victory over more establishment candidate Christopher Dodd.  At the Democratic Convention he picks even younger Senator Albert Gore, Jr. of Tennessee.  They revealed their campaign slogan--
"Leadership for a Brighter Tomorrow"--and ran their campaign very similar to how Obama ran his in 2008, focusing mainly on energizing the base and "get out the vote" efforts among minorities and the working poor.   

The Republican primary was much more interesting--due to the coloful campaign of televangelist Pat Robertson.  Once the established frontrunner, his campaigned hit major financial difficulties in December of 1987.  However, he went on to win a resounding victory in the Iowa caucus.  Jack Kemp won soundly in New Hampshire and from that moment on his nomination was sealed.  Robertson dropped out in April of 1988, but made no endorsement of Kemp.  This lead many people to suspect that Robertson could be gearing up for a possible independnt run.  However, in August he was joined to the GOP ticket by Kemp's selection of Robertson for VP.

Economy and every else is the same.  Discuss with maps.   

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

I'd love a Kemp Presidency, however he'd lose on experience, having been a Congressman where he was facing a former Governor and a Senator. Also, his Vice-President pick offers no help in that area and over all, it's 18 years of Congressional experience vs. eight years of governing experience as well as (I think) ten years of Congressional experience, leaving Brown and Gore the winners.

[The Lord Marbury]

Brown/Gore - 315
Kemp/Robertson - 223

[Snowstalker Mk. II]

I'd give Delaware and Connecticut to Brown and Kentucky and Tennessee to Kemp.

[MAINEiac4434]

Close, but Brown.

Democrats: Jerry Brown (CA)/Al Gore (TN) - 277
Republicans: Jack Kemp (NY)/Pat Robertson (VA) - 261

Even though there's a social moderate at the head of the GOP ticket, Robertson's extreme conservatism scares just enough independents into voting for Brown.