USA Republican choices, in order

[Albion]

The recent posts about this week's debate (with or without Trump) led to somebody speculating as follows--

Suppose Trump chooses not to run after all. What would your list of preferred nominees--in order--then look like? List as many or as few as you want.

 

[Josiah]

I won't vote for Trump (I didn't the last two times, and I won't this time). But who I will support in the California primary depends on the debates and which of the many candidates "float to the top." I'll choose between the top 2 Trump alteratives who are running (who aren't Trump).


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[Ammi]

The recent posts about this week's debate (with or without Trump) led to somebody speculating as follows--

Suppose Trump chooses not to run after all. What would your list of preferred nominees--in order--then look like? List as many or as few as you want.

Suppose everyone but Trump steps down and supports him. Wouldn't that be something?

 

[Albion]

Suppose everyone but Trump steps down and supports him. Wouldn't that be something?

I have to say "yes" to that, but the question wasn't intended to appeal to people who don't like Trump, but instead was just a sampling of opinion in case Trump ended his candidacy for any reason. Call it a game or exercise for us to play with if the chances of Trump backing out are actually remote.

Is it the case that most Republicans and Independents even have a "second-best" choice? Or do they all come across as candidates who aren't "ready for prime time?"

 

[Ammi]

I don't know if the election will be anything but a joke. The rich men north of Richmond have pretty good control of things. The BIS is pleased.

 

[Albion]

Taking the recent Republican debate into consideration, the list now appears as follows--

DeSantis
Scott
Ramaswamy
.........................
with these now out of consideration:
Haley
Pence
Christie
Hutchinson

 

[Lamb]

I'm going with DeSantis. I haven't really been keeping track with any of the others although I know plenty of people who have now taken another look at Trump just because of what the Democrats are doing to him. He seems to be gaining instead of falling away.

 

[Josiah]

I'm going with DeSantis. I haven't really been keeping track with any of the others although I know plenty of people who have now taken another look at Trump just because of what the Democrats are doing to him. He seems to be gaining instead of falling away.

I agree.

I think DeSantis remains the best alternative to Trump... although his poll numbers continue their slow slide and his campaign seems in trouble. But right now, it seems he's the best chance to stop Trump.

Discounting Ramaswamy (who I think is a "flash in the pan" that quickly will go away), I think that the debate...
HELPED
DeSantis
Haley
Pence

And HURT
Scott (my personal favorite)
Hutchinson
Etc.

The problem for Christie is he's whole campaign is anti-Trump, he's running against Trump - and Trump has the support of just over half of Republicans. Those also running have the nearly impossible task of gaining preference over Trump without running against him; winning over those whose Trump support is weak or waning.

But baring some major thing, I just don't see either Haley or Pence overtaking DeSantis. And (sadly) I don't see DeSantis overtaking Trump. I think Trump will likely get the nomination even if he's in jail and unable to attend the convention and unable to campaign... he has a lot of nearly cult supporters that will stand with him NO MATTER WHAT.



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[Albion]

Hmm. I may have accidentally colored the discussion by citing the recent debate, but I still intended to identify the candidates I favor vs. the ones I do not care for. That was what the original question inquired about.

I merely "threw in" the effect of the debate upon my preferences.

So,.... I'll be more specific.

IMO,

DeSantis
Scott and
Ramaswamy

would probably be my most favored candidates in a Trump-less contest, following the debate. And in that order. I also think it's a weak field, overall.

At the same time, I am more convinced than ever that the following are not for me:

Haley
Pence
Christie, and
Hutchinson.

BUT if the question were answered as you did--who was helped and who was hurt by the debate...I would say that it looked this way to me:

HELPED
Haley, maybe

HURT
Scott
Hutchinson
Ramaswamy
Pence
Christie

ABOUT THE SAME AS BEFORE
DeSantis