2000: McCain/Thompson vs. Gore/Edwards

[TDAS04]

In 2000, John McCain wins the GOP nomination for POTUS, and selects Senator Fred Thompson as his running mate.

Al Gore wins the Democratic nomination as IRL.  Before the VP selection process begins, secret recordings are released that include Senator Joe Lieberman referring to President Clinton as an "intern-f**k*ng sh*thead."  Lieberman is out of consideration.  The Democratic VP nomination ultimately goes to John Edwards, the freshman Senator from North Carolina.

Who wins?  What does the electoral map look like?

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

McCain wins. As well as "wins".

[Mister Mets]

I think McCain would win the popular vote 50%-45%. Buchanan's reform party would get more votes than Nader.

Still a good map for McCain as he flips New Mexico, Iowa, Wisconsin, Oregon, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Michigan and most of Maine.

This would give him 345 electoral votes, to Gore's 193.

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

McCain/Thompson   318    49.5%
Gore/Edwards         220    46.8%
Nader/LaDuke                   2.3%
others                              1.4%

The Gore/Edwards team is able to come close in Louisiana, as does McCain in Maine. In spite of some bad press in the Midwest about his opposition to ethanol subsidies, McCain is able to pick up Wisconsin - thanks in part to him being Feingold's first name.