1976: Hubert Humphrey/Jerry Brown vs. Ford/Dole

[cmt]

It's 1976 and the grand man of the Democratic party, Senator and former VP Hubert Humphrey, decides to run.  He is at this time not yet plauged by the cancer which would eventually kill him in 1978.  With a series of victories in the big industrial states he secures the nomination.  Since Humphrey to some represents the past he selects California's young governor, Jerry Brown as his running mate.  Remember in 1976 Brown actually entered and won several late primaries including a big victory in his home state of California. In '76 Brown was at the height of his popularity and would be re-elected easily as Governor in 1978.  Humphrey's strategy is to win the big industrial states of the East and midwest and take California, which eluded him in 1968.  The Republicans nominate President Ford who selects Bob Dole as his running mate to try and counter HHH's appeal in the midwest.  It's a close election.  Humphrey wins 51-48, but only narrowly takes the electoral college 271-267.  Without a southerner on the democratic ticket, Ford takes all the southern states, though some like Florida are by narrow margins. 

[Kaine for Senate '18]

HHH wins, 281-257:

[Workers' Friend]

Although HHH had health problems in 1976 and died in 78, I guess he wins.