1996: Powell/Wilson vs. Clinton/Gore

[Psychic Octopus]

Despite some obstacles, Colin Powell is able to capitalize on the divided conservative vote to narrowly win Iowa, and is able to pull off a landslide win in New Hampshire. He coast to the nomination, and chooses California Governor Pete Wilson as a running mate.

Maps?

[Bo]

Too lazy to make a map. Clinton wins with between 300 and 330 EVs and with about 44-47% of the PV.

[Obnoxiously Slutty Girly Girl]

314-224

[useful idiot]

314-224

If Powell could pull off wins in places like California and New York, why wouldn't he be able to do so in Florida? Are you assuming the racist vote is THAT large? I also have a hard time thinking Clinton would win Texas(Waco, gun control, social liberalism, etc).

[rebeltarian]

This would cause a temporary re-alignment.  Powell, a black, pro-choice, moderate Republican from New York would suddenly be the elitist/liberal candidate while Clinton would become the conservative/populist.  Powell would do well in the northeast, but would lose the south to Arkansas native Clinton.  Pete Wilson would prove to be a brilliant VP choice, however, putting California and other western states back into the Republican column (I'm also assuming we're leaving Perot out of this one).

Powell/Wilson (R) 282
Clinton/Gore (D) 256

[Bo]

This would cause a temporary re-alignment.  Powell, a black, pro-choice, moderate Republican from New York would suddenly be the elitist/liberal candidate while Clinton would become the conservative/populist.  Powell would do well in the northeast, but would lose the south to Arkansas native Clinton.  Pete Wilson would prove to be a brilliant VP choice, however, putting California and other western states back into the Republican column (I'm also assuming we're leaving Perot out of this one).

Powell/Wilson (R) 282
Clinton/Gore (D) 256

No way Powell wins NY, FL, CA, NM, OR, or WA. Due to the good economy and lack of foreign threats, Clinton was not going to lose in 1996 no matter who his opponent would have been.

[Psychic Octopus]

This would cause a temporary re-alignment.  Powell, a black, pro-choice, moderate Republican from New York would suddenly be the elitist/liberal candidate while Clinton would become the conservative/populist.  Powell would do well in the northeast, but would lose the south to Arkansas native Clinton.  Pete Wilson would prove to be a brilliant VP choice, however, putting California and other western states back into the Republican column (I'm also assuming we're leaving Perot out of this one).

Powell/Wilson (R) 282
Clinton/Gore (D) 256

No way Powell wins NY, FL, CA, NM, OR, or WA. Due to the good economy and lack of foreign threats, Clinton was not going to lose in 1996 no matter who his opponent would have been.

I don't know whether this means anything, but just after the election there was an exit poll about a hypothetical Powell vs. Clinton matchup in 1996, around 51% voted for Powell. Clinton wasn't a lock, and a REALLY good candidate could have beaten him.