Gore is elected in 2000 and reelected in 2004. What hapens in 2008?

[Lincoln Republican]

Al Gore and Joe Lieberman are elected in 2000 and reelected in 2004.

Gore orders troops into Iraq after 9/11 as Bush did in real life.

In 2008, the tickets are the same as they are in real life, Democrats Barack Obama and Joe Biden, Republicans John McCain and Sarah Palin.

The war in Iraq is extremely unpopular as in real life.

The economic disaster and Wall Street meltdown occur as in real life.

This discussion is not about that Gore would not have gone into Iraq.  In this scenario, he did.

So what happens in this 2008 scenario?

Please discuss using maps if you choose.

[hcallega]

I can't see Gore invading Iraq, perhaps putting more pressure on Pakistan, but not invading Iraq. But that's a minor point. On the other hand, I cannot in any realistic manner see Obama winning the Democratic nomination in 2008. I don't believe he would run, as he would have little chance of winning and would be smart to wait until more favorable times (aka GOP incumbent or following a GOP presidency). If he did run he would be the "black" candidate, and wouldn't even try a change message. He would simply run as a black, progressive, alternative to Hillary. Speaking of Hillary, I believe she would win the nomination as she could be classified as a "Gore Dem" and would have the party's organizational backing. In the GOP side, I would see McCain as the nominee in 2004, and he would probably win. In 2008 Giuliani or Romney would likely be the nominee, as McCain wouldn't run again.

But since this is your scenario I will give you an answer. McCain would win pretty soundly. He would carry all the state's he did in real life, as well as PA, NV, CO, NM, VA, NC, FL, OH, IN, MI, WI, and NH. I say this because McCain's moderate views compared to Obama's liberalism, an inability to tie him to someone as unpopular as Bush, and the economic meltdown would allow him to win a semi landslide.

[RIP Robert H Bork]

The Democrats winning four times in a row, and all of what you mentioned, leads to the Republicans winning by a rather large margin.

[Daniel Z]

If Gore invades Iraq he loses in 2004 (but I highly doubt he would have). Assuming he somehow won reelection anyways the Republican (I doubt it would be McCain though) would win in 2008 and would win even if there were no economic downturn.

[tmthforu94]

Assuming everything you stated happen, McCain would easily. Obama wouldn't be able to link McCain to Bush. Basically, in my opinion, Bush killed McCain. If Bush had been a more popular president, McCain would have won. I mean, if you look on it from the outside, without looking at the current crisis, you would think McCain is a better candidate. He has been part of the Senate for quite a while. He has been a maverick. He was a POW. Has a beautiful wife, and a big family. It's too bad he'll never be President.

Anyways, under this scenario, a big McCain win. He would base his whole campaign on Obama being 4 more years of the same, just like Obama did to McCain, and McCain would be more critical of Obama's inexpereince.

Big wins in the South and Midwest for McCain, along with some narrow wins in the Rust Belt. Many states are a lot closer than in real life, such as Maryland, Connecticut, and California...

McCain would post bigger wins in Montana, Missouri, and North Dakota since Obama did not spend any time there. New Jerse, Minnesota, and Oregon are the closest states.

McCain/Palin-371
Obam/Biden-167

[Sic Semper Fascistis]

Yes, after 4 years of democratic government Obama had no chances.