# Who could have won? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump, kamala-harris\ **Created:** [November 7, 2024, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-could-have-won/1009829 "2024-11-07T01:00:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2024, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-could-have-won/1009829/61 "2024-11-07T19:49:46Z")
Ignorance fought. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![zimaane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a3d4f5/32.png) [@zimaane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zimaane)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2024, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-could-have-won/1009829/62 "2024-11-07T19:49:52Z")
In 1992, conservative commentator Pat Buchanan ran against incumbent President Bush for the GOP nomination. He didn’t win any primaries or caucuses, but came close in some of the early contests. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2024, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-could-have-won/1009829/63 "2024-11-07T19:59:58Z")
> [@Projammer](#): > > Ignorance fought. Thanks. To be fair, a lot of the field dropped out by April, which Bernie fans take as evidence of some kind of intra-party collusion. Which, yeah, a political party’s whole reason for existence is to collude to win elections. Not to grind down the obvious favorite with an endless futile contested primary. But there really was a primary, and the early results showed Biden was most likely to win, and most of the frontrunners withdrew to avoid damaging him too much before the general election. Including Bernie. Don’t listen to the Berners. ---
**Author:** ![SunUp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SunUp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SunUp)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2024, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-could-have-won/1009829/64 "2024-11-07T22:33:48Z")
And the lessons the parties took from '80 (Democrats, as @WreckingCrew pointed out) and '92 (Republicans) was that a contested primary, rather than sharpening the incumbent and increasing their chances in the general, rather meant an intraparty squabble and defeat in the general. Hence, parties now take an active role in clearing the field early for an incumbent president. > [@DeadTreasSecretaries](#): > > I think open primaries are great for finding people like Obama that are great politicians who buck the conventional wisdom of their day… As long as we have mass media, it’s going to be important to have candidates who can project their preferred message via that media in a personal way. We’re really going to need primaries to pick those folks out from others who may be effective politicians in a smaller context, but can’t bring that connection though a TV or phone screen. Obama had that in abundance. Under the old system, you could run a campaign for nomination or election by sitting at home (Lincoln in 1860, McKinley in 1896) and the party would do the work for you, including being able to microtarget messages to local audiences through speeches by campaign surrogates. We’re in a very different era now, and Donald Trump really managed to project himself through the TV as someone who (many) Americans could trust would fight for them. (I just threw up in my mouth a little writing that last sentence.) > [@DeadTreasSecretaries](#): > > It didn’t help that the rest of the 2020 primary field sucked - the path now should probably be purple or red state governors. Of course, it may be difficult to win a Democratic primary with the kinds of compromises on your executive record that being the governor of a red/purple state would present over time. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2024, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-could-have-won/1009829/65 "2024-11-07T22:47:14Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Joe Biden. Well, according to many here, Harris lost as she was a black woman. I disagree, but yes, it is certainly possible Biden could have pulled out a miracle. > [@puzzlegal](#): > > If the race was lost mostly due to inflation, then no one. If there was a significant element of sexism and racism, then perhaps some of the guys she considered as running mates might have pulled it off. Yes, it was inflation. The MAGAs certainly were sexist and racist, but it doesnt matter who the Dems ran for their vote. The working class has been hit fairly hard by inflation, and you cant realistically expect them to understand how economics works. Border Security was the 2nd most important, and yeah undeniably the GOP will be be harsher. > [@Kent\_Clark](#): > > The Democrats lost the White House, lost the Senate and when all the votes are counted, will fall further behind in the House. > > My guess is no one. Yeah, sad to say. It was inflation that cause the red wave. > [@squidfood](#): > > Nobody who was hand-picked by DNC leadership. The idea that the DNC has that kind of power is totally false. They simply do not. ---
**Author:** ![squidfood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a87d85/32.png) [@squidfood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squidfood)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2024, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-could-have-won/1009829/66 "2024-11-07T23:04:11Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > The idea that the DNC has that kind of power is totally false. They simply do not. Sure I know, but the hypothetical leading this thread was that they were doing so. ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2024, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-could-have-won/1009829/67 "2024-11-08T00:59:12Z")
Okay. The DNC doesn’t have the ability to hand pick the candidate directly, but they certainly should have a great deal of influence. With that aside, the question remains. Who could have won given the full election cycle available to run. ---
**Author:** ![Beesnest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e495f1/32.png) [@Beesnest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beesnest)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2024, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-could-have-won/1009829/68 "2024-11-08T01:43:34Z")
Well I am a big Jake Sullivan fan. That is what we need for a leader but would not be a winning candidate… If I could transplant his brain and composure into James Comey we would have a winner.(cuz the voting public are idiots) and that would make Don-old lose his mind. How about Jason Kelse and Taylor Swift. Pick either one for the VP slot and the other for President. ( We are that stupid about our voting) There is a good argument for talents transcending into different industries. In that short time window-name recognition was key. She is well qualified and capable.It was not quality-it was sabotage from non friendly friends. The lesson now is to look forward and start announcing the next leader. How about Jeff Monken-coach at Army.? Grab him and groom him ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2024, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-could-have-won/1009829/69 "2024-11-08T02:04:07Z")
> [@SunUp](#): > > Of course, it may be difficult to win a Democratic primary with the kinds of compromises on your executive record that being the governor of a red/purple state would present over time. Fascinating. Isn’t that exactly how the Tea Partiers and then the MAGA crowd chased out all the reasonable Republicans? DINO anyone? ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2024, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-could-have-won/1009829/70 "2024-11-08T02:08:46Z")
> [@Beesnest](#): > > How about Jason Kelse and Taylor Swift. I didn’t realize she’d dumped Travis and hooked up with his brother. That’s gonna make an awkward Thanksgiving. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2024, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-could-have-won/1009829/71 "2024-11-08T02:12:38Z")
I already expected the Republican Party would need to reinvent itself after Trump is gone; do they return to being the Republican Party of old, or do they continue on Trump’s populist path? But now I think the Democratic Party _also_ needs to look inward. ---
**Author:** ![DeadTreasSecretaries](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/deadtreassecretaries/32/4817_2.png) [@DeadTreasSecretaries](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeadTreasSecretaries)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2024, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-could-have-won/1009829/72 "2024-11-08T02:43:28Z")
> [@Kent\_Clark](#): > > Fascinating. Isn’t that exactly how the Tea Partiers and then the MAGA crowd chased out all the reasonable Republicans? > > DINO anyone? The funny thing is in back to back elections the GOP nominated two moderates, one (in Romney) a Republican governor from the bluest state there is and lost. I don’t know how much of a factor this is in the rise of Trump but maybe they took the lesson learned that they can’t win by pivoting to the middle. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2024, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-could-have-won/1009829/73 "2024-11-08T02:45:47Z")
They didn’t take any lesson that led them to Trump; it’s more that Trump happened to them. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2024, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-could-have-won/1009829/74 "2024-11-08T02:47:11Z")
> [@Projammer](#): > > Okay. The DNC doesn’t have the ability to hand pick the candidate directly, but they certainly should have a great deal of influence. They do not- not in this. What they can influence is less publicized elections when they can spend the DNCs funds. That is what the DNC basically is- a fundraising org- and it doesnt spend it on _Democratic_ Presidential primaries. ---
**Author:** ![DeadTreasSecretaries](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/deadtreassecretaries/32/4817_2.png) [@DeadTreasSecretaries](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeadTreasSecretaries)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2024, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-could-have-won/1009829/75 "2024-11-08T02:47:14Z")
That’s probably the explanation but primary voters do think about electability. I’m sure the GOP base would’ve rather had President Huckabee than Romney. But if even Romney can’t win you might as well choose who you like out of Trump or Cruz. ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2024, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-could-have-won/1009829/76 "2024-11-08T03:22:45Z")
I would be seriously surprised if either side had the ability to reinvent themselves for the better. What I expect to happen is for the far left to continue pulling left and for the far right to continue into extremism. Then, in about 20 years, the sane centrists from both sides will split off and form a viable third party. Purple I’m guessing considering that green is taken and orange is radioactive at this point. This is the topic of a thread I’m planning on starting this weekend. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2024, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-could-have-won/1009829/77 "2024-11-08T03:26:46Z")
I agree that this (all of this) could lead to the rise of a legitimate third party. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2024, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-could-have-won/1009829/78 "2024-11-08T04:30:53Z")
If the Republicans get the power they seek, a possible third party will be put down hard and fast. ---
**Author:** ![DeadTreasSecretaries](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/deadtreassecretaries/32/4817_2.png) [@DeadTreasSecretaries](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeadTreasSecretaries)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2024, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-could-have-won/1009829/79 "2024-11-08T04:34:57Z")
> [@Projammer](#): > > Then, in about 20 years, the sane centrists from both sides will split off and form a viable third party. I don’t understand how it’s possible to have this view of American politics at this point. Trump beat a sane Republican (in the primaries) and a sane Democrat. The voter base for sane centrism doesn’t exist. Populism is where the votes are, and if one or both parties spend the next 20 years going in that direction it’ll be because they keep getting rewarded for it. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2024, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-could-have-won/1009829/80 "2024-11-08T04:41:36Z")
And if one party gets enough power, there will be no “other party” legally allowed to oppose them. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-could-have-won/1009829.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-could-have-won/1009829.md?page=5)