AK-SEN alternative: Mike Gravel

[voice_of_resistance]

Gravel won in 1968 and 1974 fairly convincingly. What if history took a different turn and Gravel won his primary and the general in 1980? How long would he survive, margins, etc?

My thoughts:

1980, beats Clark Gruening 52-48 roughly, and beats Frank Murkowski 50-49
1986, good year for Dems, beats R 54-46
1992, was D+5 Senate ballot, with Clinton winning and ticket splitting still surviving/Alaska liking long-term incumbent (cf. Stevens/Murkowski/Young), Gravel wins 55-45
1998, Clinton impeachment depresses GOP turnout, Gravel wins 57-43
2004, Gravel's luck finally runs out as age, combined with GOP downballot wave finally forces him to either retire or lose to Lisa Murkowski, 55-45

Thus, he would become a six-term senator, up there with the legendary Ted Stevens. This is my hypothetical scenario. Discuss.

[Jumped off the American Sinking Ship]

I'd say something similar, but he doesn't run for re-election in '04. He runs for President.

He probably doesn't get far, but it's a possibility.