What if Mel Carnahan had lived?

[YPestis25]

I'm considering starting a timeline in which Mel Carnahan doesn't die in a plane crash just before the 2000 election. Would Carnahan still have beaten John Ashcroft had he lived? I've been trying to find poll numbers on the race, but I can't seem to locate any.

[Kingpoleon]

I think not only would Carnahan probably win, but I think it would help his family gain a foothold in Missouri politics more than IOTL.

Carnahan or one of his relatives would be pretty good picks for Vice President in 2004 and 2008, especially considering how close Missouri was/could have been.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

OK, this is tricky one. His death generated a lot of sympathy votes, and still the election was close (50.5 to 48.4%).

[YPestis25]

OK, this is tricky one. His death generated a lot of sympathy votes, and still the election was close (50.5 to 48.4%).

I was reading an old article and it said something to the extent of, "Democrats found the race was still close." I can't figure out if that was implying that the race was tight before, which I think is more likely, or if Carnahan was leading decently before the crash. Caranahan was super popular so it's tough to say.

I think not only would Carnahan probably win, but I think it would help his family gain a foothold in Missouri politics more than IOTL.

Carnahan or one of his relatives would be pretty good picks for Vice President in 2004 and 2008, especially considering how close Missouri was/could have been.

I'd like to think he'd have a career in national politics, but it's tough to say, he was already 64 in 2000, so it would probably be in '04.

Thanks for your replies.

[Kingpoleon]

Jean Carnahan could run for Senator in 2004, and Russ could run for U. S. Representative in 2002 or 2004. Robin Carnahan could run Missouri Attorney General or Secretary of State in 2004. Tom Carnahan could run for whichever office Robin doesn't run for or Missouri Lieutenant Governor. Tom was also qualified for Missouri Secretary of Agriculture.

TL;DR: Mel has a large and politically involved family.

[Mr. Smith]

He stays Senator up to today (assuming Kerry or Obama don't tag him for Veep at some point), but he'd probably retire this coming midterm, turning the seat R anyway.

[Kingpoleon]

He stays Senator up to today (assuming Kerry or Obama don't tag him for Veep at some point), but he'd probably retire this coming midterm, turning the seat R anyway.

Russ or Robin could succeed him. Jason Kander, Steve Senger, or Francis G. Slay would also be pretty important recruits.

[Suburbia]

Carnahan would have been Obama's veep in 2008. White, Baptist, moderate Democrat. If not Obama's veep, he may have ran for reelection in 2018.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Carnahan would have been Obama's veep in 2008. White, Baptist, moderate Democrat. If not Obama's veep, he may have ran for reelection in 2018.

Carnahan would be 74 in 2008, that's the same age Biden will be on January 20, 2017.