1984: Bob Dole vs. Vice President Walter Mondale

[Suburbia]

8 years of Carter comes to an end, as Vice President Mondale wants to extend the Democratic dynasty four more years.

Former 1976 Republican vice presidential candidate Bob Dole wins the '84 nomination. Who wins?

[dw93]

Mondale eeks it out. I can see Bush, Baker, or even Kemp narrowly winning, but not Dole.

[Suburbia]

Mondale eeks it out. I can see Bush, Baker, or even Kemp narrowly winning, but not Dole.

What's wrong with Dole?

[dw93]

Mondale eeks it out. I can see Bush, Baker, or even Kemp narrowly winning, but not Dole.

What's wrong with Dole?

He's a weak candidate. On top of that, The "Democrat Wars" gaffe from the 1976 VP debate and his reputation as a partisan hatchet man prior to being majority leader would hurt him in a Presidential run. He only got the nomination in 96 because Clinton was a shoe in for re election, if he were at all vulnerable, another Republican likely would've defeated Dole for the nomination that year.

[darklordoftech]

Mondale eeks it out. I can see Bush, Baker, or even Kemp narrowly winning, but not Dole.

What's wrong with Dole?

He wasn’t charismatic at all.

[Alben Barkley]

Mondale eeks it out. I can see Bush, Baker, or even Kemp narrowly winning, but not Dole.

What's wrong with Dole?

He wasn’t charismatic at all.

You all say this like Mondale was lol.

Dole got BTFO in 1996 but not nearly as badly as Mondale did in 1984.

I think just by virtue of the fact that in this timeline Carter had been in office two full terms, Dole probably has the edge. As only HW Bush has gotten three terms in a row for a party in recent decades.

[dw93]

Mondale eeks it out. I can see Bush, Baker, or even Kemp narrowly winning, but not Dole.

What's wrong with Dole?

He wasn’t charismatic at all.

You all say this like Mondale was lol.

Dole got BTFO in 1996 but not nearly as badly as Mondale did in 1984.

I think just by virtue of the fact that in this timeline Carter had been in office two full terms, Dole probably has the edge. As only HW Bush has gotten three terms in a row for a party in recent decades.

I agree the GOP would have the edge, but if there was ever a Republican (that could plausibly win the nomination) that could lose to Mondale, it was Dole

[Fuzzy Bear Stands With S019 And Israel]

I gave Mondale Michigan, which I went back and forth on.  I gave him Washington, but not Oregon, as Oregon was moderately liberal, but more Republican back then.  I do not think Mondale would have carried California back then. 

Indeed, I think an election like this would resemble the Dukakis election.  By a lot.  I can't imagine Carter leaving office popular and Mondale was such an awful candidate in 1984 it's hard to imagine him winning in any situation but the most optimal.

[Sir Mohamed]

Very unlikely Mondale wins, even with a moderately strong economy. His best case is something like this:



✓ Senator Robert Dole (R-KS)/Congressman Jack Kemp (R-NY): 355 EVs.; 51.0%
Vice President Walter Mondale (D-MN)/Governor Chuck Robb (D-VA): 183 EVs.; 47.3%

[Fuzzy Bear Stands With S019 And Israel]

Dole would have crushed him by a 55-43 margin.