Saturday, July 18, 2015

Can He Win?

This is the study referred to in a previous post on the SuperPac supporting Ted Cruz's presidential race.

- Click here for the post.
- Click here for the study.

Its a great example of electoral strategy. The points they make are debate-able, but they lay their opinions on the line.

Some highlights:

- The 2012 election was winnable, but Romney was the wrong candidate and ran a terrible campaign.
- They focus on 5 states that were close and critiques the strategy in each state.
- Hillary Clinton is the likely Democratic nominee and will likely not attract as many African-Americans and Hispanics as Obama, but will increase turnout from single women.
- Wedge issues are central to increasing turnout.
- Moderate candidates do not win elections
- Cruz is the strongest candidate along each of the five wedge issues they define.
- Evangelical and white voter turnout has dropped.
- The primary election schedule favors conservative candidates.
- Cruz runs well in states which have their primaries early.

It's worth pointing out that they also give credit to the quality of the campaign Obama ran in 2012 and argue they are in the best position to replicate it.