Possible Liberal Independent Candidates, 1980?

[Dean501]

So in a TL where there are two moderate, or at least right leaning candidates running for both the Democrats and Republicans and a lot of disenfranchised liberals in the year 1980 what major candidate might be likely to make an independent run?
Like in the same vain as John Anderson, an actual politician that is maybe a slightly more serious contender then Anderson, but only appealing to a set base of disenfranchised voters.
I thought the New Deal Democrat Walter Mondale, but he may be too stuck in his party.

 

[ProfJets]

I don't think you could get a serious upper-level politician to run. They after all are probably still ambitious, and would be ostracized from the party if they ran an independent campaign in 1980. So the best you're likely to get is a Democratic analogue of John Anderson (who, for what it's worth, Carter thought would spoil his chances, not Reagan's). In other words, a common House member; or maybe some older liberal who doesn't need to worry about re-election.

 

[wargamer6]

Why would Mondale run as an indy in 1980 when he was already Vice President and running for re-election? Or are you referring to the 1980s in general?

 

[Tony]

Other than Anderson, you could perhaps get Senator Lowell P. Weicker, Jr running given his overwhelmingly liberal record, but still a Republican. He did leave his party later in the 1990s. However, such a run would very likely cost him renomination in 1982, and that's what he had to consider. IIRC, maverick had him running against John Wayne and Jesse Unruh in 1976 in his TL.

 

[anon_user]

Ted Kennedy. He was relatively popular, liberal, ambitious, and had tried to unseat Carter in the 1980 Democratic primaries in OTL. Admittedly, I'm not sure he'd go against his party, but it could happen.

 

[Dean501]

Why would Mondale run as an indy in 1980 when he was already Vice President and running for re-election? Or are you referring to the 1980s in general?

Well this is obviously a different administration, where Mondale is not VP.

 

[RogueBeaver]

Ted Kennedy. He was relatively popular, liberal, ambitious, and had tried to unseat Carter in the 1980 Democratic primaries in OTL.

That's basically ASB unless we have a very different Ted Kennedy from OTL.

Agreed with Tony on Weicker, but he'd have to retire in 1982- quit before getting plastered- because both parties would be furious with him. Sort of like Lieberman now.

 

[Dean501]

Okay, cool. So Lowell Weicker it is. Any idea on a VP selection?

 

[RogueBeaver]

Okay, cool. So Lowell Weicker it is. Any idea on a VP selection?

Hmm, maybe Pat Lucey, Anderson's OTL running mate?


Something like Carter/Mondale v. GHWB/Laxalt v. Weicker/Lucey?

 

[Dean501]

Hmm, maybe Pat Lucey, Anderson's OTL running mate?


Something like Carter/Mondale v. GHWB/Laxalt v. Weicker/Lucey?

Awesome

And more like Brooke/Dole vs. Connally/ Muskie vs. Weicker/ Lucey

 

[RogueBeaver]

Awesome

And more like Brooke/Dole vs. Connally/ Muskie vs. Weicker/ Lucey

Unless this is a "No Southern Strategy" or "Nixon '60" TL then Brooke is too liberal to be nominated. Not a few conservative Republicans would vote Connally like some probably did for Tsongas against Brooke IOTL in '78. GHWB is a moderate but not a liberal, so he can still get through. Ditto Howard Baker.

 

[Dean501]

Unless this is a "No Southern Strategy" or "Nixon '60" TL then Brooke is too liberal to be nominated. Not a few conservative Republicans would vote Connally like some probably did for Tsongas against Brooke IOTL in '78. GHWB is a moderate but not a liberal, so he can still get through. Ditto Howard Baker.

It's a Nixon scandal, and Rockefeller win in 1960 then some scandals followed by a George Wallace win in 1972 where he nearly gets shot but the near death experience plunges him to take a turn towards the left and his "southern sensibility" elects him. So yeah, no Southern Strategy, and other things to a much more moderate GOP that's still pro-business and a more Populist Democratic Party.

EDIT: Andddd I just told the girth of my TL. Oh well.

 

[Emperor of Scandinavia]

What about John Lindsay?

He was a liberal Republican who left the party because he felt Nixon was dragging the party to the right.

He could attract liberal votes from both parties, especially if both nominees are relatively conservative.

How about this:

Have Buckley win the mayoral race in 1969. Then have him screw up badly, leading to Lindsay winning on a Dem/LIB ticket.

Somehow Lindsay fixes the city, and the media widely calls for Lindsay to run for President in 1972.

He could challenge Nixon in the primaries, and lose.

Have him go onto win a 3rd term, and continue to run a succcessful, and scandal free administration.

Thus you have a Mayor John Lindsay with 3 successful terms where he restored America's financial capital to prosperity.

In a close election that depends on NY, he could pull a Birney.

James Birney drew just enough votes to keep Clay from winning NY, thus throwing the election ot James Polk.

Wishing you well, his majesty,
The Scandinavian Emperor