Electoral votes of a state are not determined by counties won, but by total vote. It is the reason why the major cities control the state outcome like in MI and PA. And the biggest counties are going Dem with a direct correlation to immigration.
On the topic of candidacy, perhaps if the dem voter that was not far left could be shown what conservatism can do, they may relax their lib DBM driven fears a little and actually consider an alternative.
No, the Dem voters support Big Government and all the services it can provide. The message of conservatism, i.e., smaller government, lower taxes, etc. just doesn't resonate.
need to control the media sufficiently to get the alternative message out.
The LIVs are not buying the message.
Who on the horizon is doing that currently?
Probably Trump. He is the only candidate who is actually supporting the American worker. You should read Jeff Sessions article, Becoming the party of work It should be required reading for every Rep candidate. Both parties have abandoned the American worker.