1988: Howard Metzenbaum the Democratic nominee

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

Discuss with maps.

[WalterWhite]

Metzenbaum would likely not make the same gaffes that Dukakis did. Dukakis was leading in polling throughout the summer. The sluggish economy would likely make Metzenbaum the next president.

Presidential Map: https://www.yapms.com/app/?m=l2ho
Senate Map: https://www.yapms.com/app/?m=l2ht

[Agonized-Statism]

Vice President George Bush (R-TX) / Senator Dan Quayle (R-IN)
Senator Howard Metzenbaum (D-OH) / Senator Bob Graham (D-FL) ✓

It's a close race, and Metzenbaum is attacked on a lot of things, but he brings the Midwest vote out.

[TheTide]

It's kind of annoying that Jesse Jackson was the progressive candidate of choice in 1984 and 1988. Metzenhaum is kind of Sherrod Brown to his Ilhan Omar.

[Alben Barkley]

Vice President George Bush (R-TX) / Senator Dan Quayle (R-IN)
Senator Howard Metzenbaum (D-OH) / Senator Bob Graham (D-FL) ✓

It's a close race, and Metzenbaum is attacked on a lot of things, but he brings the Midwest vote out.

I REALLY don’t see Florida, where Bush swept all but one county with over 60% of the vote, going D in 1988 for probably anybody. Even Clinton narrowly lost it in 92. And if the logic is supposed to be that  Metzenbaum being Jewish would change everything, I just don’t buy it. Maybe a few South Florida counties flip but it’s likely not nearly enough.