After a marquee boxing match, we’ve become conditioned to expect a rematch. But not so much in presidential contests. …
Not since Adlai Stevenson was nominated by the Democratic National Convention in 1956 for a second shot at Dwight Eisenhower has a party gone back to the loser of the previous election. But that is what former President Trump is asking Republicans to do, his eyes set on delivering “retribution” for his loss to President Biden in 2020. In neither case was the first election particularly close. Ike, with 55.1 percent, drubbed Stevenson by 10.7 points and 6.6 million votes. Biden, with 51.3 percent, beat Trump by 4.5 points and 7.1 million votes.
Polling leaves no doubt that the electorate doesn’t want a rematch. Most recently, the Washington Post-ABC News poll in February found that 62 percent of respondents would be “dissatisfied” or “angry” with a Biden win and 56 percent would be unhappy with a Trump win. Among Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents, 58 percent said they prefer a nominee other than Biden, almost twice as much as the 31 percent who want Biden again. Almost 49 percent of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents want a nominee other than Trump, while 44 percent want the former president. CONTINUED
George E. Condon Jr., National Journal
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