This is a project I had been considering for a while, but NCY’s packaging of the concept really resonated with me:
[T]he "core four" elements that most would agree embody the America First movement
…
1. Immigration Restriction
2. Trade and related matters
3. Avoiding Foreign Wars
4. Draining the Swamp
I just wanted to put this thread up to post my notes as I work on them. I’ll probably update the OP with grades as I go along.
Some guidelines I’ll be following:
(1) I’m going to start with the 2020 general election and go backwards. I would like to make it at least 1968. I can go back further eventually, but 1968 seems the oldest election in the current era (post-New Deal).
(2) To start it’ll be major party nominees. For competitive primaries I will try and grade as well (uncertain whether I’ll grade relative to party or on an absolute scale).
(3) I will also include my vote (without hindsight) for each election. I will try and force myself to pick D or R, with an anti-incumbent party nod when it’s close on those issues.
That’s all. Hopefully I actually can finish this and it’ll be interesting.