What if Dukakis had carried Illinois and Pennsylvania in 1988?

[holtridge]

CBS called Illinois for Dukakis but in error. What would have happened down ballot and in Dukakis Campaign had he carried Illinois and Pennsylvania? Thank you.

[morgankingsley]

Probably not much, honestly. If he won Illinois, he still loses 402-136. If he gets both, it's still 378-160. But it would accelerate the trend of those states being solid Democrat for decades to come.

[holtridge]

Probably not much, honestly. If he won Illinois, he still loses 402-136. If he gets both, it's still 378-160. But it would accelerate the trend of those states being solid Democrat for decades to come.

Good point. It probably lays a better foundation for Bill Clinton's victory in 1992. Although Clinton's victory was impressive in it's own right. I wish Dukakis had done a better job in 1988. I think he made too many blunders and gaffes. Not to mention Reagan was still very popular. People once said that Bush won Reagan's third term