Who was the best of recent failed Republican presidential nominees?

[Mister Mets]

I legitimately believe that McCain is the best presidential candidate of either major party since Eisenhower. He had the ideal philosophy (a Republican who sometimes disagreed with the party) and a decent understanding of Washington.

I don't know if Goldwater would have been able to govern, but the rest would likely have been solid Presidents.

[Mister Mets]

I legitimately believe that McCain is the best presidential candidate of either major party since Eisenhower. He had the ideal philosophy (a Republican who sometimes disagreed with the party) and a decent understanding of Washington.

I don't know if Goldwater would have been able to govern, but the rest would likely have been solid Presidents.

Hah!

It's process of elimination.

I'm a Republican, so I'm not inclined to believe the best presidential candidate in the last 50+ years has been one of the eleven Democrats.

Nixon's character flaws are well-known. Goldwater never had to govern, and gets a lot of credit for the work of cowriter L. Brent Bozell Jr. Ford was kinda bland. The Bushes had their problems. Dole cried at Nixon's funeral. Romney was out of touch.

That leaves Reagan, a fine President but still a man with serious flaws (Iran-Contra.)

In that crowd, McCain's problems aren't as significant. And I'm more simpatico with his generally conservative but sometimes independent political positions than with any other President/ candidate.