Tbh, Donald Trump (assuming he loses this year). His base loves him and I'm not sure even a 2020 loss dings his popularity among them.
Problem is he’s really old. His son can carry his mantle, though.
If the Republicans are gonna go full monarchy, Ivanka would be a better successor to the throne than Don-Don.
Anyway, the actual answer to the question is Charlie Baker since the question was about the GENERAL. He would easily win a general election, but he’s not gonna get anywhere in the primaries for the same reasons a conservative Dem governor like John bel Edwards wouldn’t get anywhere in the Democratic primaries. Of those who they might realistically nominate... I guess Haley? I think DeSantis’s stock has plummeted after COVID. But honestly I’m not sure it’s even realistic they would nominate either of those two. The same people championing them also said Jeb! or Rubio would be a shoe-in. Since the Republicans keep getting crazier, I guess they are most likely to nominate either another Trump like Ivanka or Junior or a Trumpian Republican like Cotton or Hawley. Whether they would actually win, as demographic changes make states like Texas more competitive? That’s another story.