Clinton Vs Powell 1996

[P123]

Colin Powell somehow wins the Republican nomination, and chooses Senator Phil Gramm as his VP. How does the map look? Powell runs as a economic conservative/social moderate.

[President Johnson]

No Perot?

[NHI]

Clinton keeps it close, but narrowly loses to Powell.

Powell/Graham: 272 (49%)

Clinton/Gore: 266 (49%)

[P123]

No Perot?

nope

[P123]

My prediction

[Higgs]

Clinton keeps it close, but narrowly loses to Powell.

Powell/Graham: 272 (49%)

Clinton/Gore: 266 (49%)

I agree with this.

[White Trash]

No way Clinton loses. Powell was popular, but Clinton was leading a huge economic recovery and had decent approval ratings. Plus, there is no way Dixie goes for a Black man, no matter how Republican he is.

[The Last Northerner]

The polls suggested Powell's victory but I'd think they change if he were the actual nominee. Slick Willie was a natural campaigner who ran on a the 90s boom; Powell was a trooper with no political experience.

[White Trash]

The polls suggested Powell's victory but I'd think they change if he were the actual nominee. Slick Willie was a natural campaigner who ran on a the 90s boom; Powell was a trooper with no political experience.

Bingo. Powell is one of those candidates that looks great on paper and in polling, but in actuality wouldn't have that great of a campaign. Powell really does not have that much appeal to any of the Republican demographics and in fact drives a few from the party. 1996 remains unchanged except the South folds for Clinton. The map would look something like this in my opinion:

Bill Clinton/ Al Gore 409 EVs (54.2%)
Colin Powell/ George Allen 129 EVs (43.1%)

[Kingpoleon]

The polls suggested Powell's victory but I'd think they change if he were the actual nominee. Slick Willie was a natural campaigner who ran on a the 90s boom; Powell was a trooper with no political experience.

I've always had this picture of a general leading crowds somewhat like troops. Is that insane imagination, or is it possible someone like Powell would be able to capture a "crowd style" campaign? It's useful for people to use their skills in how they campaign, and if you recognize he is a great general and a strategic thinker, he might realize this.

[The Last Northerner]

It certainly is possible but Powell isn't that type of person; his positions aren't 'out there' enough to bring in angry, disaffected people (Sanders, Paul Sr.), or is personally charasmatic (Mr. Clinton, Obama), or both (Trump). Powell's image was that of a good, respectable soldier who follows orders, esp. after being Bush' SoS.

[Kingpoleon]

It certainly is possible but Powell isn't that type of person; his positions aren't 'out there' enough to bring in angry, disaffected people (Sanders, Paul Sr.), or is personally charasmatic (Mr. Clinton, Obama), or both (Trump). Powell's image was that of a good, respectable soldier who follows orders, esp. after being Bush' SoS.

Image, yes. He was an outsider and a new type of Republican candidate(race and position). I could see him possessing charisma as well. If Perot does not run, there will be the Perot voters, anti-DC voters, independents, and moderates Powell could win over. I'm talking of a non-traditional GOTV system, where Powell personally could lead supporters to the polls.