Reply #16: I believe he would have run and won

[Still Sensible]

in 1976 were it not for Chappaquiddick. Jimmy Carter was so weakened politically in 1980 that he was indeed beatable and another candidate without that baggage would have very possibly done it. Ted without that blight would probably have done it by some clear margin and, while it would have been an unprecedented event in the party--denying the nomination to a sitting president with the certain painful divides that would have come with it--I think there is a very good chance that we would never have had the Reagan years. Unfortunately, there wasn't another potential democratic candidate with anywhere near Ted's passion or stature... and that is what it would have taken to withstand the Reagan movement.

I love Jimmy Carter. I believe he is one of the finest, most honest men to ever hold the office. But his political failures, and a combination of events, left a climate ripe for change. Jimmy was not going to be reelected. Ted was the only democrat with a chance to take the nomination and win in 1980--I'm sure he knew that and that is why he tried.