Most embarrassing campaign by election

[Vosem]

2024: So far, obviously DeSantis, although maybe there's an argument to be made for Pence.

2020: Bloomberg entered months later than everybody else and at the closest pass came within a few points of eclipsing Biden for the main anti-Sanders candidate; he broke many common-sense rules and still came closer to winning than is remembered. The obvious answer here is Beto O'Rourke, with a close second for Elizabeth Warren. Kamala was not as embarrassing as either of them and also ended up winning Veepstakes.

2016: Very obviously Jeb.

2012: Very obviously Perry.

2008: Very obviously Giuliani.

2004: Actually kind of a difficult one; Dean did collapse at a certain point, but he had to rise very far to get there. Similarly, Clark fell far from his peak, but attaining the peak in itself was kind of impressive. Gephardt or Lieberman.

Earlier is hard for me to comment about since I legitimately don't remember, and it also feels like losing campaigns were less embarrassing back then. 2020 was by far the most embarrassing presidential cycle yet, beating out 2016, which destroyed the old record, beating out 2012, which demolished the record. 2024 feels like it'll be a break in the trend, just because Trump's presence means an unusually small Republican field, but I think future cycles will end up being even more embarrassing than 2020 was.