Which Election was More Winnable for Republicans (Part Deux)

[Frodo]

Some better options than the other poll on the subject... 

[Redban]

1976

[darklordoftech]

From most to least winnable for the GOP: 1976 > 1948 > 1992

[brucejoel99]

Of these, 1976. If not for the Eastern Europe gaffe, he probably would've won.

[McGarnagle]

1976

Ironically if Ford had won the Republicans would likely have lost 1980 and we'd probably be a more liberal country now

[Statilius the Epicurean]

1948 was arguably the best presidential campaign in history up against the worst, and Dewey still came within a point of winning. So probably that one.

Ford ran a pretty good campaign but only really came so close because Carter shot himself in the foot.

1992 was probably unwinnable due to the recession and Republicans having been in the White House for 12 years.

[President Johnson]

1976. If Ford avoided the debate gaffe about Soviet domination and picked a stronger vice presidential candidate, he would have won. I always felt that dumping Rocky was a terrible mistake (and Ford later admitted it). He would have given the ticket a boost in the North East and carried New York. Rockefeller also appealed to liberal and black voters in a way few others in his party did. Ironically, Ronald Reagan himself would have been a better running mate than Bob Dole. He would have helped in the South, which could have made the difference. Furthermore, since Ford was constantly gaining in polls from August onward, he may have won anyway if the election was held just a week or ten days later.

[Alcibiades]

In order:

1976 was incredibly close, and going into election day it was a pure toss-up. Ford actually ran a pretty good campaign, coming from massively behind. He would only have had to have one more thing go his way, and would have won.

1948 was Dewey’s to lose, but he ran a poor campaign. He would have won if he had campaigned more vigorously and hands-on, been less aloof, and given actual policy specifics (instead of “You know that your future is still ahead of you”).

1992 was by far the least winnable, basically a no-hoper.