2004: Biden/Clark vs. Bush/Cheney

[ShadowRocket]

Envision a scenario where Joe Biden had decided to run for President in 2004. He ends up winning the nomination and selects Wesley Clark to be his running mate. How does the Biden/Clark ticket do against Bush and Cheney in November?

[Lincoln Republican]

Biden would have been a decent candidate, but would not have defeated Bush in 2004.

Clark fails to deliver Arkansas to the Democratic ticket.

Bush/Cheney                300
Biden/Clark                   238

[HappyWarrior]

Biden would have been a decent candidate, but would not have defeated Bush in 2004.

Clark fails to deliver Arkansas to the Democratic ticket.

Bush/Cheney                300
Biden/Clark                   238

How in god's name does Biden do WORSE than Kerry.  No way that happens.

My map:

294-244

[ShadowRocket]

Its too bad the Biden didn't make a run back in '04. He would've been a much better candidate than John Kerry, and his chances at winning the nomination would've better then, than they are for 2008.

[Joe Republic]

Its too bad the Biden didn't make a run back in '04. He would've been a much better candidate than John Kerry, and his chances at winning the nomination would've better then, than they are for 2008.

I disagree.  Biden wouldn't exactly have courted any more of the voters who were wary of electing a liberal northeastern senator, and is just as prone to Foot-In-Mouth Disease as Kerry.

[ShadowRocket]

Its too bad the Biden didn't make a run back in '04. He would've been a much better candidate than John Kerry, and his chances at winning the nomination would've better then, than they are for 2008.

I disagree.  Biden wouldn't exactly have courted any more of the voters who were wary of electing a liberal northeastern senator, and is just as prone to Foot-In-Mouth Disease as Kerry.

But Biden generally comes across as more likeable than Kerry. I mean one of the reasons why a Northeasterner would have time getting elected is because of the stereotype that anyone from that region is a snob. Kerry's demeanor really didn't overide that perception.

[gorkay]

Biden doesn't strike me as the type who would have been as passive as Kerry was (at least initially) over a swift-boating attempt. I feel sure he would have been a more aggressive campaigner. Whether that would have translated into more votes is open to question.