2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumEntering the General Election: 4 events that will affect the polls
During the general election campaign, after securing the candidacy, the candidate gets two guaranteed opportunities to get a bump in the polls: announcing their running mate and nomination night at the convention.
Each of these events, anticipated and planned, can give brief or more lasting bumps if done well. Those are really the only two events over which the candidate has control.
As was the case with McCain and Palin, even a piss poor running mate can elicit a bump as newsworthy. Keep that in mind when trumpy trouts out his lackey, any bump will be short lived.
The formal nomination is the other chance. Who knows what's going to happen at the goppers slug fest. I don't expect it will help trumpy all that much, although if the party leaders can get a choke collar on him long enough to look semi-sane a few days, maybe he'll get a slight boost. But he'll start talking again inevitably.
Dems go second. Hillary's nomination should send her numbers up. It will be historic and well done. I don't expect any hiccups from Bernie or his delegates.
The debates are the other events that can be anticipated and have the potential for a change in the polls. But there are many more variables and elements out of the candidates control.
All other changes really depend on gaffes, scandals and national or global events. It is certain we will get plenty of all of these. Interesting times. This will be an election for the books.
morningfog
(18,115 posts)Betty Karlson
(7,231 posts)Her Sister
(6,444 posts)Also there will be the VP debate!
Thanks for the Post. Interesting take!
Orsino
(37,428 posts)If he picks an Establishment politician, that will signal his acknowledgment that he can't win his way.