1976: reagan/laxalt vs. bentsen/jackson

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WalterMitty:
in 1976 former california governor, ronald reagan, wrestles the nomination away from president ford.  he selects conservative nevada senator paul laxalt as his running mate.

on the democrat side, young upstart, lloyd bentsen, the senator from texas, wins the nomination in an upset. he selects longtime washington senator scoop jackson as his running mate.

discuss w/maps.

Kaine for Senate '18:

WalterMitty:



reagan/laxalt: 53%, 309 EVS
bentsen/jackson: 46%, 229 EVs

gorkay:
I think the Democrats would have won. The trend in '76 was strongly Democratic, and the country was still a bit too moderate for a ticket as conservative as Reagan/Laxalt.

Lincoln Republican:
1976 would not have been an easy election for any Republican.  Coming out of 8 years of Republican administration, marred by scandal that rocked the nation, almost any credible Democratic candidate should win.

Both Bentsen and Jackson were well respected political figures in 1976, and defeat the very capable ticket of Reagan and Laxalt in a hard fought, close election.   

Bentsen/Jackson                275
Reagan/Laxalt                    263

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