Who did you think would win the Republican Nomination as of July 1st, 2015?

[Don Vito Corleone]

I thought it would be Scott Walker, as he was the only can person I knew of who had respect among both the Establishment and the Tea Party types.

The answer doesn't have to be someone who was in the race, it could also be someone who you thought would run soon and win.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

I figured Jeb! would be the nominee until mid July when Trump took off.

[Absentee Voting Ghost of Ruin]

Jeb. On paper he was a shoe-in.

I discounted Walker early on as an idiot who'd never had a hard-fought election. (It turned out he was smart enough to see writing on the wall and get out before the GOP nomination turned into a feces-filled clown car.)

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

Jeb. On paper he was a shoe-in.

I discounted Walker early on as an idiot who'd never had a hard-fought election. (It turned out he was smart enough to see writing on the wall and get out before the GOP nomination turned into a feces-filled clown car.)

He was a shoe-in. The fix was in. I interned for his consultant and they literally couldn't comprehend why the public was rejecting the planned coronation.

[Drew]

Either Bush! or Walker.

[#TheShadowyAbyss]

I thought Jeb Bush was gonna be the nominee.

[GeorgiaModerate]

Jeb. On paper he was a shoe-in.

I discounted Walker early on as an idiot who'd never had a hard-fought election. (It turned out he was smart enough to see writing on the wall and get out before the GOP nomination turned into a feces-filled clown car.)

This.  If I had to pick a next in line, I would have said Rubio.

[The Other Castro]

Walker or Lil Marco.

[Coraxion]

Lyin' Ted.

[Confused Democrat]

In July? Walker.

[Person Man]

The Republicans I spoke to thought Rubio was their man.

[Pyro]

From this thread: https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=208411

Jeb and Walker for now, but knowing our ADD primary season it could be anyone.

also

Trump is masterful at gathering attention to himself. If he ramps up this unchecked xenophobia of his, he'll continue to garner a chunk of Tea Party support. The media loves him, he has tons of money, and he's taking advantage of the immigration issue to spur up more hate and scapegoating. Though in the end, I think it's an unsustainable model.

[This user has not been convicted of 34 felonies]

Scott Walker or Marco Rubio.

[JGibson]

Walker, Bush, or Rubio.

[Catholics vs. Convicts]

Walker, Bush, or Rubio.

In that order.

[NewYorkExpress]

Bush, Cruz or Rubio.

[Warren 4 Secretary of Everything]

Walker or Cruz

[NEW JERSEY FOR MENENDEZ]

I thought Jeb!, Rubio, Cruz, or (hopefully) Rand would get it. A tie between those four. Not once did I think Trump would get it until South Carolina.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Jeb. On paper he was a shoe-in.

I discounted Walker early on as an idiot who'd never had a hard-fought election. (It turned out he was smart enough to see writing on the wall and get out before the GOP nomination turned into a feces-filled clown car.)

He was a shoe-in. The fix was in. I interned for his consultant and they literally couldn't comprehend why the public was rejecting the planned coronation.

Which is simply amazing since he hadn't held office in a decade, had never run for Presudent before, and was by no means some sort of "obvious successor" to the current office-holder. What had he championed? What did he symbolize? Who even remembered his time in power?

[libertpaulian]

In my heart?  Rand Paul.

In reality?  Either Rubio, Jeb!, or Walker.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

Jeb. On paper he was a shoe-in.

I discounted Walker early on as an idiot who'd never had a hard-fought election. (It turned out he was smart enough to see writing on the wall and get out before the GOP nomination turned into a feces-filled clown car.)

He was a shoe-in. The fix was in. I interned for his consultant and they literally couldn't comprehend why the public was rejecting the planned coronation.

Which is simply amazing since he hadn't held office in a decade, had never run for Presudent before, and was by no means some sort of "obvious successor" to the current office-holder. What had he championed? What did he symbolize? Who even remembered his time in power?

The consultants basically surmised "eh, people like the Bushes." Shows how out of touch Rick Wilson (of Egg McMuffin fame) and company actually are.

[publicunofficial]

Walker or Rubio

I can at least be proud to say I never thought Jeb Bush was going to come close.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

I knew Jeb wasn't going to be it. However, I also knew The Donald wouldn't be it either.

[Cashew]

I recall feeling quite dreadful about Walker considering that he is the best compromise candidate for holding the GOP coalition together, and I get the feeling he could have sucessfully polished the turd of neoliberalism if given the chance... quite ominous, disaster avoided I guess.

[TheSaint250]

I thought Jeb would.  I didn't want him to run since I assumed he would be beaten easily simply because he was a Bush.