Rule: Presidential candidates can only be current or former senators, governors, or representatives. (No “Limbaugh/Beck vs. Maher/Colbert” races.)
I think it would be hard to find a more polarizing election race than:
Rick Santorum + Sarah Palin vs. Barbara Boxer + Elizabeth Warren
Or maybe:
Ted Cruz + Ron Paul vs. Hillary Clinton + Nancy Pelosi
I like the ticket Berkeley Breathed came up with several years ago in Bloom County –
Jesse Jackson and Jesse Helms — on the same ticket.
“Jesse and Jesse! Let’s outrage EVERYBODY!”
Rick Perry & Lou Gohmert v. Bernie Sanders & Dennis Kucinich.
McCain & Palin vs. Hillary Clinton & Dianne Feinstein.
Running against Jesse Ventura, a solo candidate (hey, he’s Independent…).
For the Pubs, I’d go with Todd Akin as the head and then either Bachmann or Palin as a running mate. On the left its a bit harder, because no matter who is chosen will be portrayed as the most Liberal candidate ever to be seen whose election will destroy America. But you could probably go with say Al Sharpton and maybe Keith Elison to bring out the anti-Muslim hysteria vote.
ETA: didn’t see the previously elected requirement. Replace Sharpton with Jesse Jackson Jr.
Bernie Sanders/Brian Schweitzer (“BS/BS 2016!”) vs. Ted Cruz/Scott Walker
Don’t forget Barney Frank. (Who would be great, by the way)
Governor Mitt Romney vs. Former Governor Mitt Romney.
No! When they shake hands at the debate the resulting Mitt/AntiMitt explosion will destroy the planet!
Virginia Snow/Ted Cruz vs Bob Conley/Al Franken
Al Franken/Barney Frank vs. Dan Quayle/Sarah Palin.
I doubt Dan Qualye would seem nearly as polarizing when compared to the modern batch of republicans.
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Don’t forget the rules!
I just like the idea of Palin and Quayle both wearing shirts that say “I’m with stupid,” and arrows pointing at each other. Also, it’d be really funny if Sarah Palin punched Quayle in the stomach.
Palin + Bachmann?
Hillary Clinton + Dick Cheney vs Sarah Palin + John Kerry
And to make it more fun, the President & Vice President exchange positions weekly.
Might be the first election in which no votes are cast.
Abraham Lincoln + Hannibal Hamlin v. Stephen Douglas + Hershal Johnson.
Boxer is relatively unknown. Warren, too. They’re not comparable to Pelosi; even the politically unaware know that Pelosi is (at least in right-wing narrative) the liberal-in-chief, and everyone knows who Hilary is (though I have never figured out why she is so unpopular). For a really polarizing race you need preexisting hate.
Pelosi + Eric Holder seems like it’d be the ultimate right-wing-hate ticket.
For the other side I’d go Gohmert + Steve King, but they are relatively unknown to the wider public too.
Hillary Clinton + Dennis Kucinich vs. Sarah Palin + Todd Akin