1984: Bush/Dole vs. Mondale/Nunn

[cmt]

President Reagan decides not to run for a second term.  It's a tough primary season between VP Bush and Sen. Dole of KS for the nomination.  Bush is nominated and selects Dole as his running mate.  On the Democratic side former VP Walter Mondale is nominated, and against the more flesh and blood Bush doesn't take the drastic "hail Mary" step of putting Geraldine Ferarro on the ticket decides that he must compete in the south and selects conservative Democratic Senator Sam Nunn of GA as his running mate.  The democratic ticket make the deficit, low farm prices and pockets of high unemployment their major issue while the republicans make peace and prosperity their issue.

Against Bush Mondale runs better but still loses 259-179 in the electoral vote.  Bush wins 53-47 in the popular vote.  I give Mondale the ten closest states of 1984 including:
Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Marlyland, PA, IA, NY, WI, WVA, HA as well as a few others.

Your thoughts?

[cmt]

I meant 359 for Bush in the electoral vote--not 259.

[Robespierre's Jaw]

George H.W. Bush/Robert J. Dole (R): 391 EV, 54% of the PV
Walter F. Mondale/Sam Nunn (D): 147 EV, 46% of the PV

Vice President Bush defeats former Vice President Walter Mondale to succeed Ronald Reagan as 41st President of the United States in the 1984 Presidential Election. Despite the Mondale campaign performing much better against Vice President Bush than President Reagan, Vice President Bush defeats Mondale similar to his RL 1988 victory over then Governor of Massachussetts Michael Dukakis.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Bush wins, 380-158.