I agree with those predicting that it will be someone pretty similar to Trump in policy/rhetoric but just in a younger, more polished package. DeSantis, Hawley, etc.
I think Cotton could be somewhat successful in a GOP primary, but I don't know why anyone thinks he would be a particularly compelling general election candidate.
I think you're overestimating how much the GOP electorate overly think on policy, ultimately they want to back someone who sounds equally hateful and angry as they do. If Tom "Wuhan Virus" Cotton engages in subtle racism bashing the Chinese tossing out red meat like he has been doing, threatening to shoot liberal protesters, that will be good enough for some of the GOP electorate regardless of what wars he wants to start.
