In 1972, Richard Nixon (Republican) won 520 of 538 electoral votes, defeating George McGovern by 503 EV during the Cold War Realignment era. In 1984, Ronald Reagan (Republican) won 525 of 538, defeating Walter Mondale by 512 EV during the Cold War Realignment era. Turnout: 56.2% vs 55.2%.
vs
1972
Cold War Realignment
Richard Nixon
Republican
Electoral votes
520 of 538
EV margin
503
Popular vote
60.7%
Turnout
56.2%
Runner-up
George McGovern (Dem)
Nixon won re-election in a historic landslide, carrying 49 states and losing only Massachusetts and DC. Senator George McGovern ran an anti-war campaign but was damaged by his initially selecting and then dropping Thomas Eagleton (who had received electroshock therapy) as his running mate. The Watergate break-in had occurred in June 1972 but its significance was not yet widely understood. Nixon's opening to China and détente with the Soviet Union were popular. He resigned in August 1974 due to the Watergate scandal.
1984
Cold War Realignment
Ronald Reagan
Republican
Electoral votes
525 of 538
EV margin
512
Popular vote
58.8%
Turnout
55.2%
Runner-up
Walter Mondale (Dem)
Reagan won a massive re-election landslide, carrying 49 states with the 'Morning in America' campaign amid robust economic recovery. Walter Mondale, Carter's VP, made history by choosing Geraldine Ferraro as the first female VP nominee of a major party. Mondale's straightforward promise to raise taxes damaged his campaign. Reagan won 525 electoral votes, the most ever won by a candidate in an election with a major-party opponent. Mondale carried only his home state of Minnesota (by 3,761 votes) and DC.