1976: Frank Church vs Ronald Reagan

[Historia Crux]

Frank Church is able to win the nomination over Carter and after a bitter primary season decides to choose his major opponent Jimmy Carter as his VP in an attempt of party unity. Reagan gets the nomination barely over Ford and goes on his word and chooses Richard Schweiker for VP.

Democratic:
Frank Church(D-ID)
Jimmy Carter(D-GE)

Republican:
Ronald Reagan(R-CA)
Richard Schweiker(R-PA)

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Church wins, 275-263.

[Lincoln Republican]

The very liberal Church is not acceptable to mainstream America.

At the Presidential level, Church fails to win his home state of very conservative Idaho.

Reagan is seen as far more Presidential.  Church is not viewed as Presidential material.

Reagan does not have to defend the Nixon pardon.

Reagan/Schweiker                         374
Church/Carter                                164