[Arm_Bears]

Someone jog my memory—In previous Republican primaries, have the losers generated as much excitement as they have so far this time around?

[SmokingJoe]

Romney, another North East liberal won New Hampshire In 2012. Gingrich only got 9 % in New Hampshire, but then crushed Romney in South Carolina.

[visualops]

Not that I recall.

[BlueStateRightist]

I’m a big Cruz supporter, but if he cannot win SC then he’s toast. Trump has a lot of momentum. I would support him if he won the nomination.

[fingers_crossed]

Probably the closest to this was Sarah Palin. She was a dynamo, had the head of ticket been Trump it would have been a runaway steamroller.

The hope and excitement Trump and Sanders are generating is due largely because we have really hit the extreme of an unresponsive and oppressive govt that has really put the hurt to a lot of ppl and families. With Trump ppl really see a hero who could right the wrongs.

Also the power of social media is allowing more ppl to have their say and bypass regular media. So it brings in a lot of ppl and that generates energy throughout their day.

[MSF BU]

AS the alternative to Reagan, Bush was touted by the media but imploded as the primaries moved to the South & West.

[Dr. Sivana]

have the losers generated as much excitement as they have so far this time around?

In 1980, the media got all excited about John B. Anderson's numerous 2nd and 3rd place finishes to Reagan and George the Elder. Anderson took them seriously, and ran 3rd party in fall, grabbing the vote of 7% who didn't like Carter or Reagan.