Reagan was out polled by Carter early on by 30%.
Reagan was also said to be "divisive", and stupid, and a warmonger, and heartless, etc. ad nauseum.
Truth be told, none of us, and especially you, know how this is going to shake out. There are races to be run, primaries to go through, and then we'll know who the nominee will be.
Look at the title of this very thread. It seems rather self-evident, at least to me.