1992 in another time line

In the election of 1992, Perot did not self destruct. Instead he retained his early lead and won a plurality of the popular and electoral vote. Bush came in second in both and Clinton came in third. The Republicans did well in the House and captured the Senate.

The Electoral College failing to elect a President and Vice President by majorities, the election went to the House and the Senate as provided for in the constitution.

In the Senate the Senators voted, as individuals, on the top two electoral vote getters for VP. Party regularity triumphed over popular plurality by a large margin; Quayle was elected Vice President.

In the House things were messier. At first there was some concession to the will of the people — Perot carried some states. However it became clear that Perot could not be elected from the House and voting got down to basic party lines. There was a catch however. The winner needs to carry 26 states. To do this the winner needed a majority in each of these states. However states that had an equal number of Republicans and Democrats deadlocked and couldn’t cast a vote. The upshot is that no one could get a majority; the House failed to elect a President.

Inauguration day came and went. Dan Quayle was sworn in as Vice President. The office of President now being vacant, Quayle became President.

Count your blessings, children; it didn’t happen.