The 1988 Democratic Nominee: Walter Mondale (He Chooses Not To Run In 1984)

[Turbo Flame]

What if former Vice President Walter Mondale decided to wait for 1988 instead of running in 1984. How would he do against Vice President George H.W. Bush?

[Alben Barkley]

I doubt he does any better than Dukakis, probably slightly worse. MAYBE you could argue he would have better appeal to the plains voters who already voted for Dukakis at greater rates than usual for Democrats due to the farm crisis. So maybe he flips South Dakota or something. But beyond that, doubt there’s much difference. He may not have been the governor of Massachusetts so no Willie Horton ad, and he may not have rode in a tank. But it would have still been easy for Bush and Lee Atwater to blast him for his ties to the “failed” Carter administration. Plus he’s just not a very compelling or charismatic candidate.