1972: Nixon/Agnew (R) vs. Reagan/Hughes (D) vs. McCarthy/Chisholm (I)

[Robespierre's Jaw]

Let's suppose Ronald Reagan never leaves the Democratic party to become a Republican. In 1966, Reagan challenges Governor Pat Brown for the Democratic Gubernatorial nomination and wins the nomination. In 1966, Reagan defeats Republican nominee, former Mayor of San Francisco George Christopher. In 1970 Reagan is re-elected Governor of California, despite being challenged by House Speaker Jesse Unruh.

In 1972, Governor Reagan runs for the Democratic Presidential nomination and wins in a liberal dominated field. For Vice President, Governor Reagan selects former Governor and current Senator from Iowa Harold Hughes.

The Reagan/Hughes ticket is denounced by many extreme liberals such as Eugene McCarthy of Minnesota. McCarthy announces he'll be running as an independent for the Presidency in 1972. For Vice President, Senator McCarthy selects negro Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm of New York.

Like in RL, Richard Nixon is nominated despite being challenged by Congressmen Pete McCloskey and John Ashbrook. President Nixon decides to keep Vice President Agnew on the ticket.

How would this election turn out? Discuss with maps.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

[Robespierre's Jaw]

BUMP

What the hell were you smoking back then Ben? McCarthy winning six states, the conservative Reagan winning the traditionally safe Republican states of Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine over the moderate Nixon. There are so many implausibilities with this map! As for my take on this scenario, I believe that Nixon would have been able to comfortably defeat Governor Reagan. The Nixon campaign would have been able to portray the Governor of California as too conservative and too dangerous to the peace of the world by revoking SALT and closing foreign relations with the Chinese, etc.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

BUMP

What the hell were you smoking back then Ben? McCarthy winning six states, the conservative Reagan winning the traditionally safe Republican states of Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine over the moderate Nixon. There are so many implausibilities with this map! As for my take on this scenario, I believe that Nixon would have been able to comfortably defeat Governor Reagan. The Nixon campaign would have been able to portray the Governor of California as too conservative and too dangerous to the peace of the world by revoking SALT and closing foreign relations with the Chinese, etc.

I don't know.  I just don't know