The question is now not who is running, but who isn’t running? Democrats have what, 3-4 candidates tops? Republicans can have 7-8 at the least. I think that’s a big part of the problem.
With due respect I disagree - at least, it's not necessarily the problem - altho it can become that. Take 2011-12 cycle - when there were 8 candidates at one time. There was still one candidate, and only one candidate, who showed how to win Republican voters while ginning up big turn outs and enthusiasm. Now, he forgot how, but that speaks to his own weaknesses, not the size of the field....because the field was down to about 4 when he screwed the pooch.