[arthurus]

If Carter had won in 1980I suspect that by 1984 Central America would have been firmly Communist with Mexico trying to be their ally without actually succumbing yet. Afghanistan would be on its way to incorporation into the USSR itself. Pakistan would have seen the benefits of satellization. The Caribbean would be in the process of turning into a Communist Sea. The Soviets would have had a forest of IRBM in Eastern Europe with no American counterweight and Europe would be cutting its ties with America and dealing to remove the bases from Germany. Turkey would be looking like a last bastion against the Russians. The military buildup that Carter did begin would have been half hearted and aimed only at defense of the homeland. If Reagan had won then in 84, his job would have been immensely more difficult. I think he would have prevailed, even then.

[phil_will1]

"The military buildup that Carter did begin would have been half hearted and aimed only at defense of the homeland."

I saw President Bush, the elder, interviewed over the weekend. He was asked how the Reagan military buildup had affected the Gulf War. His response was that it was enormously significant. He stated that the loss of life on our side would have been significantly higher had it not been for that.