2000: Al Gore vs. George Allen

[Joe Biden 2024]

Let's say in 2000, instead of running for Senate, George Allen decides to run for the Republican nomination and wins. How does the election play out?

[Chips]

George Allen probably wins. He most likely would hold down the entire south and could do better in the northeast potentially leading to a map like this.

George Allen/Tom Ridge: 295 electoral votes and 49% of the popular vote
Al Gore/Joe Lieberman: 243 electoral votes and 48% of the popular vote

[NewYorkExpress]

While Gore flips New Hampshire, Allen is able to do even better with Iowa Conservatives than Bush did, and thus carries Iowa.'

George Allen/George W. Bush 49.3% 274 EV
Al Gore/Joe Lieberman 48.9% 264 EV

[Left Wing]

I don’t think Allen was well known enough to beat Gore. At that point he was out of office for almost three years and was also extremely socially conservative and racist. I’m sure the story about the noose he kept in his office would come out during the campaign.