Ideal presidential candidate for each party

[WalterWhite]

Below I have drafted some rough ideas for the ideal presidential candidates for each party in terms of electability.

Democratic:

- Southerner
- Progressive socially and economically
- Devoutly religious
- Populist
- Generally avoidant of "culture war" issues and conspiracy theories
- Able to dress up progressive policies in moderate-sounding language
- Strong ability to connect to rural and suburban voters


Republican:

- Northeasterner
- Moderate socially and conservative economically
- Somewhat religious
- Populist
- Generally avoidant of "culture war" issues and conspiracy theories
- Able to dress up conservative policies in moderate-sounding language
- Strong ability to connect to urban and suburban voters


What qualities would you say embody the most electable candidates from each party? Who would fit the qualities mentioned above?

[progressive85]

Democratic: A black woman from Georgia, about 40 who is very charismatic, a well-liked celebrity rather than a politician, and very popular among young people.  An exciting personality that attracts people who usually don't vote.  Like a combination of Oprah (in terms of her career in the public eye) and Beyonce (in terms of her beauty and youthfulness).

Republican: A Mexican-American man from Texas, bilingual, about 40, a preacher who is very attractive and charismatic, once again more of a well-liked celebrity than a politician.  Genuinely loves meeting people and shaking hands.  Like a combination of a young Billy Graham and Mario Lopez (telegenic).

For both parties, people that are (A) not long-term career politicians, (B) youthful and attractive in appearance, (C) bring big energy and excitement, (D) have great people skills and naturally love campaigning, and (E) appeal to a multicultural America.  Also anywhere between the ages of 37-43 when first elected.

Now, for the worst presidential candidates for each party:

For the Democrats, a combination of Walter Mondale, John Kerry, Joe Lieberman, and Hillary at her most cranky and tired.  So basically a flip-flopper, uncharismatic, badly aging, fake, elitist, smug, comes across as condescending, lacking in warmth, etc.

For the Republicans, an unattractive woman who had no personal charm whatsoever who was viewed by working-class men as a snob.

[WalterWhite]

Democratic: A black woman from Georgia, about 40 who is very charismatic, a well-liked celebrity rather than a politician, and very popular among young people.  An exciting personality that attracts people who usually don't vote.  Like a combination of Oprah (in terms of her career in the public eye) and Beyonce (in terms of her beauty and youthfulness).

Republican: A Mexican-American man from Texas, bilingual, about 40, a preacher who is very attractive and charismatic, once again more of a well-liked celebrity than a politician.  Genuinely loves meeting people and shaking hands.  Like a combination of a young Billy Graham and Mario Lopez (telegenic).

For both parties, people that are (A) not long-term career politicians, (B) youthful and attractive in appearance, (C) bring big energy and excitement, (D) have great people skills and naturally love campaigning, and (E) appeal to a multicultural America.  Also anywhere between the ages of 37-43 when first elected.

Now, for the worst presidential candidates for each party:

For the Democrats, a combination of Walter Mondale, John Kerry, Joe Lieberman, and Hillary at her most cranky and tired.  So basically a flip-flopper, uncharismatic, badly aging, fake, elitist, smug, comes across as condescending, lacking in warmth, etc.

For the Republicans, an unattractive woman who had no personal charm whatsoever who was viewed by working-class men as a snob.

The political RNG is rigged in favor of Southerners.

[Zedonathin2020]

Democrats: A Midwestern Female Governor between the ages of 46 and 56. Who is politically in between the centrist Biden wing and the Progressive Sanders wing.

Republicans: A Male Hispanic House Rep or Senator from the Sun Belt the same age as the Democratic nominee. Socially Moderate and fiscally Conservative. Who can actually appeal to suburban voters and isn’t as insane as Trump or DeSantis and has to at LEAST support rape and incest exceptions for abortion 

I would rather both be religious, but not in a "Evangelical, Ned Flanders from The Simpsons" kind of way

[pbrower2a]

The Democratic Party in the South (Virginia is no longer Southern) is a party of racial  (Warnock)  and religious (Ossoff) minorities or of damn-Yankee transplants (Cary, North Carolina: Containment Area for Relocating Yankees). Saying that southern Democrats can do well Up North reminds us that Carter, Bill Clinton, and Al Gore suggest that Northerners aren't fussy about accents or dining habits as much as they are about political positions.

Of course, northern Democrats have no problem with religious morality so long as it is humane and rational. Devout? Better Joe Biden, a devout Catholic, than someone whose religiosity  (Trump) is a sham.

So far, "culture wars" energize Republicans as nothing else can. In recent years, GOP pols have downplayed the plutocratic agenda of gutting workers' rights, ravaging the environment for quick profits, and cutting taxes for entrenched elites. Democrats are wise to evade "cultural Marxism" (whatever that is), "defund the police", and "reparations".

Republicans:

- Northeasterner
- Moderate socially and conservative economically
- Somewhat religious
- Populist
- Generally avoidant of "culture war" issues and conspiracy theories
- Able to dress up conservative policies in moderate-sounding language
- Strong ability to connect to urban and suburban voters

 

Lots of luck on those. It may be hard to believe, but New Mexico now votes much like Massachusetts. The 'moderates' are largely purged from Republican politics with rare exceptions like Chris Christie, Charlie Baker, and Larry Hogan.

This was the key for Republican victories as late as the elder Bush in 1988. Republicans are losing Suburbia as it becomes increasingly urban and less rural in character. Suburbanites now need Big Government for getting their kids adequately educated just to remain in the middle class and big highway projects (OK, Florida and Texas solve that problem with tollways -- the state builds the road but leases it to a profiteering monopolist). Suburbs have just as big problems with air pollution as the core cities; they are not as lily-white as they used to be.  The suburbs that people went to to get a garden and get away from smog, traffic jams, non-whites (yes, racism played a role), and crime now have those as post-WWII bungalows are demolished for apartment complexes. Needless to say, as the bungalows get razed, their gardens disappear.

Donald Trump is a Northeasterner, but he is the sort of New Yorker that people in Greater New York despise. Three of Trump's worst states (Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York) are the ones that contain the New York City media area in which he is best known. Trump is a blowhard, and his biggest success as a businessman is as a landlord who sees no social optimum other than raising the rent. He is a rentier, a capitalist who profits largely by enforcing scarcity and turning the screws on clients who have few alternatives. If you make your money in Greater New York, you can't easily move to Youngstown, Ohio, a dying city in which rents are cheap. He is no innovator, the only hero in capitalism to most people.

 

[Agonized-Statism]

Democrat: Progressive whose big thing is massive job creation in renewable energy, manufacturing, and construction. Foreign policy is laser-focused on combating China and Russia and disengaging from the Middle East; however, does some aggressive posturing toward Cuba and Venezuela. Young. Passionate and fiery, maybe even angry. White-presenting hispanic Texan. Could run just under 400 EVs unless he can manage to win back Ohio (probably not) and maybe the 413 map if Iowa too (nope).

Republican: Populist on an anti-corruption crusade opposed to trade deficits, big government, and the transnational corporations it coexists with. Libertarian on social issues. Foreign policy is laser-focused on combating China and Russia and disengaging from the Middle East; bonus points for challenging Saudi Arabia when there's a conflict of interest. Bilingual white-presenting hispanic, young. Catholic. Funny. Could make it to 335 EVs unless there's a surprise in a fairly unreachable state like Rhode Island.

[Tekken_Guy]

Democrat: Elder statesman former Vice President and Senator from Delaware.

Reality: Bombastic real estate mogul and reality TV host.

[Skill and Chance]

Democratic: A black woman from Georgia, about 40 who is very charismatic, a well-liked celebrity rather than a politician, and very popular among young people.  An exciting personality that attracts people who usually don't vote.  Like a combination of Oprah (in terms of her career in the public eye) and Beyonce (in terms of her beauty and youthfulness).

Republican: A Mexican-American man from Texas, bilingual, about 40, a preacher who is very attractive and charismatic, once again more of a well-liked celebrity than a politician.  Genuinely loves meeting people and shaking hands.  Like a combination of a young Billy Graham and Mario Lopez (telegenic).

For both parties, people that are (A) not long-term career politicians, (B) youthful and attractive in appearance, (C) bring big energy and excitement, (D) have great people skills and naturally love campaigning, and (E) appeal to a multicultural America.  Also anywhere between the ages of 37-43 when first elected.

I struggle to see how a preacher from Texas would be the ideal R candidate in this era.  The swing states are in the Midwest, otherwise this person would have to win New Mexico or Virginia. 

[Del Tachi]

Ideal Democratic candidate is definitely a senator, and a governor for the GOP

[LostInOhio]

Democratic: A handsome 40-60 year old Black senator/governor with a ton of charisma, experience and a track record of supporting policies that are progressive - but not too progressive. Has a lot of establishment Washington & Hollywood connections and support. Able to get youth excited and also widely admired by older Black voters.

Republican: A conservative media star who is not a politician and therefore able to frame himself as being an "outsider" candidate. Has a lot of working class appeal & name recognition; beloved by the Trump base but not so Trumpy he turns off country club Republicans. Loves hunting, guns and country music. Is religious but not threateningly so. Military experience is a plus.

[Tekken_Guy]

Democratic: A handsome 40-60 year old Black senator/governor with a ton of charisma, experience and a track record of supporting policies that are progressive - but not too progressive. Has a lot of establishment Washington & Hollywood connections and support. Able to get youth excited and also widely admired by older Black voters.

Republican: A conservative media star who is not a politician and therefore able to frame himself as being an "outsider" candidate. Has a lot of working class appeal & name recognition; beloved by the Trump base but not so Trumpy he turns off country club Republicans. Loves hunting, guns and country music. Is religious but not threateningly so. Military experience is a plus.

Sounds like you’re describing Obama and Trump.

[LostInOhio]

Democratic: A handsome 40-60 year old Black senator/governor with a ton of charisma, experience and a track record of supporting policies that are progressive - but not too progressive. Has a lot of establishment Washington & Hollywood connections and support. Able to get youth excited and also widely admired by older Black voters.

Republican: A conservative media star who is not a politician and therefore able to frame himself as being an "outsider" candidate. Has a lot of working class appeal & name recognition; beloved by the Trump base but not so Trumpy he turns off country club Republicans. Loves hunting, guns and country music. Is religious but not threateningly so. Military experience is a plus.

Sounds like you’re describing Obama and Trump.

I would consider both of them to be the living embodiment of their respective parties so yes, pretty much.

[WalterWhite]

Democratic: A handsome 40-60 year old Black senator/governor with a ton of charisma, experience and a track record of supporting policies that are progressive - but not too progressive. Has a lot of establishment Washington & Hollywood connections and support. Able to get youth excited and also widely admired by older Black voters.

Republican: A conservative media star who is not a politician and therefore able to frame himself as being an "outsider" candidate. Has a lot of working class appeal & name recognition; beloved by the Trump base but not so Trumpy he turns off country club Republicans. Loves hunting, guns and country music. Is religious but not threateningly so. Military experience is a plus.

Sounds like you’re describing Obama and Trump.

I would consider both of them to be the living embodiment of their respective parties so yes, pretty much.

I would say a Southerner would be better for the Democrats. It would help the Democratic Party in its weakest region (the South).