2008: Sanders vs. McCain

[President Johnson]

Let's say Obama never jumps into the race and Bernard does instead. Surprisingly, he takes the nomination by defeating Hillary. Is America ready to elect Sanders in 2008 or has McCain a shot? Let's say McCain rejects Palin as running mate and goes with a more moderate one to attract centrist Democrats alienated by the Bern.

[Former Senator Haslam2020]

McCain/Lieberman vs Sanders/McKinney
328-210
54.3%-44.0%

The only reason Sanders does so well is because of the unpopularity of the Iraq War, and the financial crash. Previous electoral predictions had put McCain around 400~ Electoral votes.

[Former Senator Haslam2020]

2012:

Obama/Salazar vs McCain/Lieberman
348-190
53.4%-43.1%

[Agonized-Statism]

Senator John McCain (R-AZ) / Governor Sarah Palin (R-AK)
Senator Bernie Sanders (D-VT) / Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) ✓

There was precedent for Sanders in the Netroots Democrats. Obama was the anti-Iraq candidate, Hillary was the economic populist, Sanders would be both. Probably a harder pill for the suburbs to swallow but matches Obama's energy with youth, minorities, and blue collar workers.

[Snazzrazz Mazzlejazz]

Senator John McCain (R-AZ) / Governor Sarah Palin (R-AK)
Senator Bernie Sanders (D-VT) / Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) ✓

There was precedent for Sanders in the Netroots Democrats. Obama was the anti-Iraq candidate, Hillary was the economic populist, Sanders would be both. Probably a harder pill for the suburbs to swallow but matches Obama's energy with youth, minorities, and blue collar workers.

That ticket is making me scratch my head