What defeated presidents remained popular enough for a comeback?

[Tekken_Guy]

What defeated presidents remained popular enough post-presidency for a comeback?

[OSR stands with Israel]

If Reagan didnt run in 1980, Ford probably runs and wins

[100% pro-choice no matter what]

Hayes?

[dw93]

Bush 41 left office with an approval rating of over 50% in 1993 despite his decisive defeat. If his sons didn't have political ambitions and Clinton's first term went south, he might've had the support to make a comeback.

[TDAS04]

Hayes?

Can’t tell if you missed the “defeated” part of the thread title, or if you’re implying he was defeated and that he stole the election.

Anyway, Franklin Pierce was defeated for the Democratic party’s renomimation in 1856, but was floated as a potential compromise candidate between the Northern and Southern wings of the party four years later.  That doesn’t mean he would have defeated Lincoln in the general, obviously.

[100% pro-choice no matter what]

Hayes?

Can’t tell if you missed the “defeated” part of the thread title, or if you’re implying he was defeated and that he stole the election.

Anyway, Franklin Pierce was defeated for the Democratic party’s renomimation in 1856, but was floated as a potential compromise candidate between the Northern and Southern wings of the party four years later.  That doesn’t mean he would have defeated Lincoln in the general, obviously.

JQA in 1840?

[SWE]

Had Martin Van Buren beaten Polk for the 1844 nomination, it would have produced a pretty wild three-way race, as John Tyler would have run as an independent had there not been a pro-Texas annexation choice on the ballot. I honestly have no idea who would have won between Clay, Tyler, and Van Buren

[Sir Mohamed]

Tbh, only Ford comes to mind. At least if Reagan didn't run in 1980. I don't think he would have won the nomination that year against Reagan, even if HW didn't run as well.

And TR, if you count his 1912 loss a defeated prez. Around 1918, he was actually considered a GOP frontrunner for 1920. If he didn't die, he possibly would have been elected to another term. And TR 1920 would have drastically changed the course of history.