Remember, for the Dems, the candidate has become almost an afterthought. In what both sides concede was a pretty successful cycle for Dems, who is the star? Who burst out onto the stage to pose as the future for their party? Where is the 2022 version of Beto? Reality is, Dems kept quiet. No barnstorming. Limited opportunities for gaffes. Make the GOP the issue and let the ground game win. That's good "unpopular incumbent" campaigning. When you're unpopular, your task is to make the election a referendum on your opponent rather than yourself. Obama's 2012 campaign, in which he started with his popularity numbers right about where Trump's have ranged, is a classic example.4th and Inches said:I will not vote for Trump in the primary but I might have to in the general if he gets thru as a GOP canidate. The Dems will put up Joe Biden or Newsome so that is a no for me. If he runs as independent then I will 100% not vote for him.sombear said:Look, I think there is a special place in political hell for never Trumpers (at least the type who let it change their long held political positions and who were inflicted with TDS). But I thought we were discussing the future and electability. While I finally had enough of Trump, my primary argument is that, regardless, he's simply not electable. He's a huge negative. We have to play with the hand we're dealt. And if that many Republicans will not vote for him or his candidates, then it's time to move on and find candidates who can bring everyone together. Those seem to be out there.4th and Inches said:and yet trumpsters nearly do it while all those tshirt fan voters sat out.. yall really showed them trumpsters! Pick my canidate or I will let my political enemy be in charge.sombear said:
Let's assume it's true that it was the Never Trumpers that cost Walker, Oz, etc., I have two points/questions:
One, Trump's (and Trumpers') primary argument for 6 years has been that the GOP does not need those votes, that we'll attract blue collar and other voters to more than offset. In fact, as Lake did AZ, Trump has openly taunted so-called moderates and establishment types. You can't pray for rain, then cry when the clouds come in.
Two, more fundamentally, this would further show that Trump and Trumpism is no longer electable. You can't win losing significant % of your own party.
Hopefully Desantis or another decent canidate beats him in the primary and he walks away. Him in the general in any way will be a disaster for the GOP.
Dems will put up Biden again, if he will do it. If not, they will run Harris and keep her almost as hidden as they did Biden. She's got name ID and is a black woman from immigrant stock, will be the first intersectional POTUS. They don't need a smart, energetic, telegenic, magnetic personality. They need a non-objectionable name on the ballot with a bio they can form into the image needed for the cycle.