2000: McCurdy vs. Bush

[Suburbia]

Moderate Democratic Senator Dave McCurdy of Oklahoma sweeps the Democratic presidential nomination, in a race where Al Gore did not run. McCurdy picks another moderate Democrat, Bob Graham as VP. George W. Bush runs un-opposed, and the two face off. Who wins?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_McCurdy

http://articles.philly.com/1991-04-04/news/25778003_1_buffalo-chips-democratic-leadership-council-war-plans

[Former Senator Haslam2020]

[Former Senator Haslam2020]

Narrow Bush/Ridge victory over McCurdy/Gephardt

[Kingpoleon]

298: Gov. George W. Bush(R-FL)/Rep. Tom Davis(R-VA) - 49.4%
240: Sen. Dave McKurdy(D-OK)/Sen. Evan Bayh(D-IN) - 46.8%

[VPH]

Dave McCurdy/Paul Wellstone-328
George W. Bush/Dick Cheney-210

Basically, going off the premise that McCurdy is a senator, he helps the Democrats to a high degree in the Midwest. He hits 47% in Oklahoma, 42% in Kansas, 40% in Texas, and 39% in Nebraska. He also helps the Democrats pot Missouri. a number of swing states fall into line due to his running mate selection, senator Paul Wellstone. Wellstone not only increases McCurdy's appeal to progressives, who turn to Ralph Nader in lower numbers than ootl, but also helps run up margins in the midwest, bringing Ohio into the Democratic fold.

[Vosem]

Considering Gore failed to win Tennessee, I really don't think McCurdy would win Oklahoma against Bush unless he was already winning a large national victory, since even then Oklahoma was already much more Republican than Tennessee.