What if, instead of GHW Bush, Reagan had appointed John Connolly as his VP?
In my estimation -- and in hindsight -- Reagan's appointment of GHW Bush as his VP in order to appease the "moderates" was the reason that conservatism lost its momentum in 1988.
I simply do not understand why people think appeasement is a viable strategy. It only emboldens an opposing force. Have we forgotten history? It fails time and time again.