2020: Hillary (incumbent) vs. Cruz

[darklordoftech]

If Hillary defeated Trump in 2016, how would she do against Cruz in 2020?

[Alben Barkley]

It would normally be hard for Hillary to win again I’d think, but Cruz would possibly have the worst chance of anyone against her. If there’s any politician less liked than her AND Trump, it’s probably him.

Might all come down to how different COVID is with her. I can see her actually handling it competently and getting the “rally around the flag” effect almost every other world leader (and governor) got, which combined with a solid economy, could allow her to win again. Then again, I can also see the right go even crazier with COVID conspiracy theories, anti-maskers, QAnon type lunacy, militia terrorists, etc. with Hillary at the helm. Hard to say how this plays out electorally; maybe it turns off the middle and helps Hillary. Or maybe enough people buy the conspiracies and the right is energized enough that it hurts her.

Running for a fourth term in a row for your party is also a hard sell. If the GOP was competent enough to nominate someone besides Cruz and attack Hillary effectively for COVID even if she’s handling it well (without going into crazy conspiracy mode), she should lose. But since it is Cruz, and this is the GOP we’re talking about, she’d have a chance.

[NewYorkExpress]

Hillary Clinton/Tim Kaine (D) 50%
Ted Cruz/Nikki Haley (R) 48.6%