Quote (Black XistenZ @ Aug 9 2022 01:50am)
No, I genuinely don't think so. Cruz and JEB! would have been crushed in the general. As would Carson, Paul, Huckabee and Santorum. Christie was scandal-plague and would have been defined over it by Democrats. Rubio and Kasich might have won because Hillary was that detested, but I can also easily see their popular vote margin ending at +/-1% while losing the EC.
The 2016 GOP field was quite weak if we're being honest, which is the reason why an outsider like Trump was able to waltz in and wipe the floor with all of them in the first place. And Trump's coalition was super efficient in the EC while that of e.g. Romney was at a distinct disadvantage. All in all, Trump was probably the strongest candidate from this field.
With how hyperpolarized America is, I don't see 1) happening, and considering how armed and unruly Americans are, I also cannot see 2) happening easily. I can only imagine a successful coup if the coupists have the full support of the military.
Oh, you're
strictly talking about "electability" then. You're correct that there weren't as many electable candidates but I'm pretty sure several could have beaten Clinton. After all, Trump didn't win because the competition was weak. He won because the competition was fractured and primaries benefit people who can obtain a plurality.
Going back to what I said though, what makes you think that GOP voters will nominate the most "electable" candidate? What makes you think that this candidate has the infrastructure, support, charisma, etc. to beat Trump?
Quote (bogie160 @ Aug 9 2022 10:30am)
Find a majoritarian position and you'll find DeSantis there championing it. People don't like lockdowns, ergo, DeSantis doesn't like lockdowns. Parents don't want strange men/women showing their 5-year olds sexually explicit material, and DeSantis is right there with him. On issues like abortion, where the majority is far more split, DeSantis wants out of the debate. The only way to rationalize DeSantis as far right is to believe that not showing toddlers pornography is far-right.
If DeSantis wants to win, he's going to have to wait until 2028 or abandon his bid for governor and announce now. He's in a unique position where he is the clear number 2 but he won't be able to capitalize on it if he goes against Trump head to head. Liberals should welcome someone like DeSantis who is a extraordinarily moderate in how he governs. He's rough around the edges when it comes to confronting the media, social issues, etc. but it's all a show to keep Trump voters happy. Even then, as you said, he's not taking
unpopular positions on these culture war issues.