Buchanan would’ve picked up some working-class Democrats (many of whom who went for Trump in 2016), but too many of the suburbanites would’ve fled the ticket. The GOP would’ve written him off entirely (a la Goldwater in ‘64). As a result, it would’ve been enough for the Republicans to have swiftly lost Congress (1996 had been the first time since 1928 that the GOP had last won the majority two elections in a row to Congress).
After Reagan, I’m not sure being written off by the GOP would have been the kiss of death it was for Goldwater.
I’m sure that Pat would have put up a heck of a fight.
I’m not going to the wall on this one. I’m pleasantly surprised by Trump—the rest of the field eventually pretty well all stank, which made it easier to swallow Trumps rough spots.
At one point I regretted that Walker had thrown in the towel so early.