Most respectable performance by a defeated prez

[Sir Mohamed]

Which POTUS that lost reelection put up the most respectable election performance given all circumstances?

Tbh, I'm torn between Ford 1976 and Trump 2020. In the end, I'm saying Ford because he not only got more EVs and a higher voter share, he also came damn close despite not being elected before and almost losing his party's nomination. He might actually have won with the campaign going on for another 1-2 weeks. Trump still came very close despite being clobbered in the NPV and having a horrible term. Cleveland winning the NPV in 1888 could be a serious contender for this title, too.

My ranking would be this:

1. Ford 1976
2. Trump 2020
3. Cleveland 1888 (he won the NPV)
4. Harrison 1892
5. Bush Sr. 1992
6. Adams 1800
7. JQ Adams 1828
8. Van Buren 1840
9. Taft 1912 (got destroyed by just winning 8 EVs and 23% of the vote, but it was a 3-way race)
10. Carter 1980 (landslide loss)
11. Hoover 1932 (even bigger landslide loss)

[Mr. Smith]

Cleveland '88 so clearly.

[darklordoftech]

Adams 1800, Cleveland 1888, and Ford 1976 are the top three.

[I Will Not Be Wrong]

I chose Ford. I would have went for Cleveland, but his campaign was helped by voter suppression, so no to that one.

[The Right Honourable Martin Brian Mulroney PC CC GOQ]

Ford, he probably would have won if the Dems hadn't run a southerner.

[dw93]

Ford in 76. He was the underdog from the start, down 30 points at one point, only to bounce back and damn near win.

[Mr. Smith]

I chose Ford. I would have went for Cleveland, but his campaign was helped by voter suppression, so no to that one.

And you think Harrison's wasn't? Gimme a break!

[TheTide]

Carter was unlucky in the Electoral College; a lot of Southern states and a few others were close and 49 electoral votes is less than someone who loses the national popular vote by less than 10% 'should' be getting.