How would you do in a regular election?

[Hash]

Using maps, how would you in a presidential matchup against a modern mainstream candidate of the opposite party, assuming you don't pander to anybody, stick to your real views and probably assuming a few of your past quotes/actions get known by the public.

[Robert California]

One thing I'd try to do in campaigning would be to focuse on Northern states, beginning at Michigan and Ohio, and with Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New Hampshire. I'd try to expand the GOP into Libertarians, Blue-Collar Workers, and minorities. However, I'd most likely fail in successfully drawing in even one of those groups. My attempts expand the GOP would also be cut short by my own somewhat inflammatory rhetoric on certain issues. Looking at myself, I stand in a place where I could see the moderate GOP calling me a reacionary and see the hard-line Conservatives calling me a RINO.

[Hash]

Assuming I win the nomination, an unlikely proposition to begin with, I'd lose in an epic landslide.

For starters, my social liberalism (pro-gay marriage, pro-soft drug legalization, pro-choice etc) would kill me prematurely in a campaign. I'd probably be perceived by most as an out-of-touch liberal ultra-elitist. I'd stutter during the debate, where I'd also do badly coming off as an academic intellectual of the Ignatieff genre (and I might yell at my opponent and call him a retard). If heckled, I'd probably strangle the heckler. My French accent would be a killer. I doubt picking a really, really hot running mate would help me. I doubt my conservative friend campaigning for me would help, since they'd proceed to find out dirt on him. I figure that I'd come off as my old law teacher, a slightly insane radical who can't control his tongue and would offend 95% of Americans by stereotype jokes, sexist jokes, name-calling and all that.

Then my campaign would become a trainwreck when a whole slew of scandals come out concerning random jokes about various states I'd made, and how I strongly dislike certain regions/types of people/states. The Alabama jokes would come out, the West Virginia jokes as well and every other comment I've made on every other state.

I'd win Vermont easily, and do well in French-Canadian areas in New England (not in Louisiana, I've called the Cajuns racist bastards too often) and random other college towns/young liberal areas. I'd probably narrowly pull off Maine (doing well in French areas and Portland), New York (I like Upstate NY and I'd do well in Manhattan probs), Maryland (I'd probably do well in the DC suburbs), Hawaii and DC as well. I get my ass handed to me in the South, AL/MS in particular. I'd do pretty badly in the west outside Colorado, New Mexico, Montana (which I like) and the Pacific states. I wouldn't break 10% in Oklahoma and struggle to break 20% in Arizona and Alaska. I do badly in working-class areas, where the university intellectual elitist liberal idea would not work too well.

random REAL MURICAN REPUBLICAN/random REAL MURICAN REPUBLICAN 485 EVs
Hashemite the treasonist elitist librul Frenchie poop/Jessica Alletson the hot running-mate 53 EVs

[I'm a prince to the grifters, I turn apostles to pimps]

Democrat: Barack Obama
Republican: Sarah Palin
Libertarian: Jake Matthews

I honestly believe this would happen.

[Teddy (IDS Legislator)]

R: Palin/Romney
D: Teddy/Joenis Norac (google him, he does good webcomics)

POP VOTE:
R: 60%
D: 40%

NY would be within 1,000 votes
RI and MASS would be close as well.

I may not be able to win any of those three.

[Sic Semper Fascistis]

With an average campaign, against a generic republican :

Best possible case, running the best campaign of all times, and facing the most crazily extremist possible ticket (like Palin/Coburn) :

[big bad fab]

1st hypothesis, I'm a moderate Republican and so a "real" conservative is candidate against me, let's say Huck or Newt.

This splits the GOP, but I'm pushed towards the left and steal many votes to Democrats, creating a suspenseful 3-way race.

So, I hurt the Dems more than the GOP, especially in PA, OH and even stealing VA, NC, CO, FL, ME, NH, NJ from them, being a weak first in these states.
Overall, it's a short GOP victory (229 - 212 - plus my useless 97 EVs).

2nd hypothesis, I'm a Blue Dog Democrat, prompting a split inside the Dems.

As I'm not able to grasp Wisconsin and Michigan, I again lose, but I hurt the GOP most, especially in the upper South and the Plains.

A failed attempt, but not so bad: 198 EVs against 220 for the Dem candidate and 120 for the GOP one (provided he's not a Rockefeller GOPman, of course, but is there any left ?).

And, just for the fun, my "ideal" map when I was 12, based only upon states I liked or disliked:

A winning map with current EVs (311-227), but also then (with 1980 numbers): 303-235.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

Democrat: Barack Obama
Republican: Sarah Palin
Libertarian: Jake Matthews

I honestly believe this would happen.

14 year olds shouldn't do drugs.

[I'm a prince to the grifters, I turn apostles to pimps]

Democrat: Barack Obama
Republican: Sarah Palin
Libertarian: Jake Matthews

I honestly believe this would happen.

14 year olds shouldn't do drugs.

That didn't stop Aaron Carter.

[Miles]

If I was running against a generic 18 year-old Republican....

I guess I'd consider my "home state" NC;  seeing as I could capitalize on the home state effect  there. I'd try to make the south a priority and I'd emphasize the midwest less.  I’d run as a fairly moderate, Clinton-esque Democrat myself, so I’d probably lose liberal support in the northeast.

My running mate would probably be a conservative southern Democrat like Mary Landrieu, Joe Manchin or Mike Beebe.

I guess this map is also kinda based on the states that I like and don’t like; I always liked WV and AR, but I don’t like FL, NH and OH.

I'd win 289-249

[Insula Dei]

I'll break with the 'epic landslide against me' idea:

This is assuming my opponent is pretty average and not a charismatic candidate like ..., okay, I can't think of any fantastic GOP candidate right now, but I'm sure they're out there.

Pretty much the Democratic base states + Wisconsin, Minnesota, West Virginia as I guess I'd be mainly a Union/Beer Democrat (long time since I've seen someone throwng around that term) kind of candidate. Popular Vote would be 48-52 or something I suppose.

[Robert California]

Dream Scenario
Okay, this is assuming that I somehow as a Presidential candidate fulfill my dream of combining the moderates, conservatives, libertarians, and populists. I'd attempt to focus on the things that Conservatism would have in common with other ideologies and spend a lot in places like Pennsylvania. While trying to appeal to the working man, I'd also point out similarities between Libertarianism and Conservatism and try to take New Hampshire and Nevada and places like that.

Blue-Cathcon (R-MI)
Red-Stereotypical Liberal Democrat (D-East Coast)

Pessimistic...
However, in all likelihood my plan would fail as the Democrats would run videos of me appealing to populists with me trying to appeal to Libertarians and call me a flip-flop or something. My dream of the ever-so-powerful GOP would die, even if I did win.

Speculation
I'm not really sure about how well I'd do in a real election. However, I would really try to make inroads among both blue-collar workers as well as Libertarians. I don't know if I'd succeed or not.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

I think this is the map going into election night.


I think this comes down to presentation.

An extremely narrow electoral vote win for me, but I'll guess that I may end up losing the pop vote.

273-265 (based on 2012 numbers)

I think I could form an interesting coalition. Being a middle-class, educated white guy I think I'll have the traditional democratic bases behind me, but it depends on the response to my platform.

* Increasing educational opportunities in low socio-economic areas - support based on need
* Low and middle-income tax cuts
* Maintain the Obama health-care plan - with an extension to see universal coverage within 10 years
* Reduce the discretionary defense budget by 20%
* Reduce US military presence by 25% over 8 years
* Provide incentives for students who want to enter a trade, rather than college
* make college loans more manageable and affordable
* Invest in renewable energy technologies
* Make social security income and asset tested
.... I think these would be attractive to middle America

The reason why it would be close - is being pro-choice, pro-equal marriage rights for gays and lesbians and not exactly fond of guns... and I won't pay lip-service to religion.

I think I could speak with a populist tone, without necessarily being one.

[Small Business Owner of Any Repute]

Using maps, how would you in a presidential matchup against a modern mainstream candidate of the opposite party, assuming you don't pander to anybody, stick to your real views and probably assuming a few of your past quotes/actions get known by the public.

None of us would win without doing that.

[Badger]

I think this is the map going into election night.


I think this comes down to presentation.

An extremely narrow electoral vote win for me, but I'll guess that I may end up losing the pop vote.

273-265 (based on 2012 numbers)

Wait a minute. Have I been that out to lunch on the 2012 EC numbers that Obama could be reelected just by carrying the Kerry or Gore states plus NV anc CO? Even with GOP sweep in the south and losing Ohio??

Wow! That's the most encouraging thing I've heard all month. Certainly makes CO utterly crucial, eh?

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Keep in mind this is extremely optymistic scenario.

[Bacon King]

Assuming I entered politics here in Georgia and sold my soul to the extent necessary, becoming the sort of democrat that could win Georgia statewide:

Assuming I ran on my true beliefs:

[RIP Robert H Bork]

Assuming I entered politics here in Georgia and sold my soul to the extent necessary, becoming the sort of democrat that could win Georgia statewide:

Assuming I ran on my true beliefs:

New Hampshire? No way you can win there, and lose Maine.

[Sic Semper Fascistis]

I think this is the map going into election night.


I think this comes down to presentation.

An extremely narrow electoral vote win for me, but I'll guess that I may end up losing the pop vote.

273-265 (based on 2012 numbers)

Wait a minute. Have I been that out to lunch on the 2012 EC numbers that Obama could be reelected just by carrying the Kerry or Gore states plus NV anc CO? Even with GOP sweep in the south and losing Ohio??

Wow! That's the most encouraging thing I've heard all month. Certainly makes CO utterly crucial, eh?

You should definitely spend more time looking at the EV maps.

[Badger]

I think this is the map going into election night.


I think this comes down to presentation.

An extremely narrow electoral vote win for me, but I'll guess that I may end up losing the pop vote.

273-265 (based on 2012 numbers)

Wait a minute. Have I been that out to lunch on the 2012 EC numbers that Obama could be reelected just by carrying the Kerry or Gore states plus NV anc CO? Even with GOP sweep in the south and losing Ohio??

Wow! That's the most encouraging thing I've heard all month. Certainly makes CO utterly crucial, eh?

You should definitely spend more time looking at the EV maps.

Yes, that is undoubtedly the gaping hole in my life most needing filled.

[Torie]

Far worse than Badger. A dope smoking chap, with odd interests, never married, of uncertain sexuality - well enough said! 

[bullmoose88]

I dont think I could cobble together a coalition to win either party's nomination let alone a general election victory.

[deliriumipa]

Here's my dream scenario.

Some background:

Barack Obama wins a second term in 2012.
Democrats win, by a narrow margin, in 2016.
Former Vice Presidential Candidate Chris Christie defeats the incumbent Democratic President in 2020. His running mate is Senator Marco Rubio of Florida.

As one of the youngest Governors of New York, I run for the Democratic nomination in 2024 at the age of 34. I would be 35 before inauguration day. The Democratic nomination is hotly contested mainly between myself and the last Democratic Vice President. I lose Iowa due to my stance against the use of ethanol in fuel, but win New Hampshire and South Carolina by a resounding margin. On Super Tuesday I win New York, California and Illinois and a few other large states while losing more conservative states. In April, I secure the Democratic nomination.

I pick a freshman Senator from North Carolina to be my running mate. His voting record so far is more conservative than mine and appeals to blue-dog Democrats and blue-collar voters.

A poll in May shows many states are in play this election cycle, but even in the toss-up states President Christie has the lead.

(D - 216, R - 200)

but in the May poll, if you include the actual projection for the toss up states it would look like this...

(R - 322, D - 216)

However, my ticket would work to flip all of Christie's small leads in those states.


In the debates with Christie I say I like his "take no crap" attitude but accuse it of not being Presidential, and that it makes America look like a child on the world stage. We need someone like Roosevelt who speaks softly and carries a big stick --not someone who screams and carries a big stick. My platform would include legalization of gay marriage (which is now legal in many states), pro-choice, an amnesty program for illegal immigrants because we can't afford to ship over 3 million illegal immigrants home, closing loopholes in corporate finance and making corporations agree (via legislation) to pay American taxes for a reduction in the tax rate instead of going through foreign accounts, additional deficit reduction via the restructuring of Medicare/Medicaid/Obamacare. Also, investing in our nations infrastructure and science/technology industries would be a high priority.

The campaign is able to create a broad network of grassroots support. In the second debate the incumbent President makes a faith-based accusation to me in which I respond with a Arnold Vinick-West Wing religious litmus test statement which sits very well with independents.

In October 2024 polls had Christie winning. On election day, voter turnout is huge and Christie's approval sits at 50%.



Election Day Results:

Election Day:

Me: 310 (D) - 49.76%
Christie: 228 (R) - 48.03%
Other - 2.21%

Most pundits give my victory to high voter turnout in 18-25 year olds which was a sky rocketing 50%. Nationally, it was the highest voter turnout in American history hitting 68%.

There were a number of third party candidates who did not make the ballot on every state. A libertarian candidate contributed to my ticket's victories in Montana, South Dakota, North Dakota, Nevada, West Virginia, South Carolina and Georgia where I won with less than 50% of the vote. Exit polls showed that the voters, who voted for the libertarian candidate, second choice was Christie and that without the libertarian candidate I would have lost the election but won the popular vote.

[Mechaman]

Assuming this is a regular election and not one against Sexgod?

Finally myself:

President Mark Warner (D-VA) vs. Mechaman (L-OK)

It is the year 2028 and President Mark Warner is running for his 4th term of office (due to Mark Warner finding the Tri-Force, the Holy Grail, all 7 Dragonballs, the Clitoris, the cure for cancer, and destroying the Borg invasion from the future the 22nd Amendment is repealed by the 117th US Congress due to overwhelming popular demand from the populace) with an approval rating of 99.9999999999999999999990121%. He is so popular that he wins the Democratic, Republican, Reform Party, American Independent, and even the friggin Socialist and Communist Party nominations for president UNANIMOUSLY. In fact the only challenge President Warner faces is that of an Oklahoma drug dealer named Mechaman who was nominated by the Libertarian Party at the national convention at TGI Friday's in Bangor, Maine. The general election season is a rough one with Warner charging that Mechaman wants to legalize all drugs, get rid of the age of consent, and even make it legal for kids to kill their parents for not letting them stay up late and watch tv while Mechaman calls Warner "a hurt little bitch who suffers from attentionwhoredom." The debates between the two are especially heated with Warner commenting "Truth be told Mr. Mechaman, I wouldn't trust you to be the local dog catcher much less President of the United States." Mr. Mechaman would then make the extremely epic "That's not what you told me after blowing me last night Marky Mark." Another classic debate moment happened when Warner said "These are the costs for this election.......four more years of prosperity and greatness under a Warner administration, or four years of the most irresponsible disrespectful drunken high immoral leadership imaginable. If you love America at all, for the love of God don't vote for Mechaman" to which Mechaman replied "Yeah f*** you too you n*****f***** J**!" These last comments would cost Mechaman greatly, bringing him from 99.10% behind in the polls to 99.98989889% behind in the polls. Come election day the map looks like this:

President Mark Warner (D-VA) 538 Electoral Votes 99.999999981% Popular Vote 152,012,918 votes
Mechaman (L-OK) 0.000000019% Popular Vote 3 votes

The results were an unpredented electoral blowout like none that has ever been witnessed before, with President Warner winning all but a few dozen votes, Mechaman would receive three: one from himself, one from his 14 year old lover who is a high school student at Hellgate High in Missoula, Montana, and Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist John Frusciante who admits to being "quite high" at the time he cast his vote.

Meh, maybe about eight more points since Rick Rubin would probably endorse me.

[Yelnoc]

Since I can't claim to be from either party, I might get as many votes as the Naked Cowboy is projected to in 2012.