General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: 1972 McGovern campaign, what would you have done ? [View all]Drunken Irishman
(34,857 posts)'84 was another election no Democrat could win. Conversely, it's hard to imagine any Republican winning in '96 and '12 (despite how close that election was - demographics worked WAY against 'em).
Carter was a weak candidate. That's another thing liberals don't want to hear. He blew a 40 point lead in the polls, nearly lost the election, and did that all after Nixon was disgraced by Watergate and Ford dinged by his pardon. There was no reason for that election being close - and yet, it was.
But you're right, had Ford not dropped that gaffe in the second debate, Carter probably loses. You'r also right about Ford winning helping the country. He would've been term limited in '80, it's likely the economy would've gone into the shitter regardless who was president, which would have killed the Republican candidate, and Reagan unlikely ever becomes president.